The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
۞ No, I swear by this country (Mecca), 1 and thou art a lodger in this land; 2 And by the begetter (i.e. Adam) and that which he begot (i.e. his progeny); 3 indeed, We created man in trouble. 4 Does man think that no one will ever have power over him? 5 He saith: I have wasted riches plenteous. 6 Does he think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not made for him two eyes? 8 And a tongue and two lips? 9 And showed him two highways (of good and evil)? 10 But he has not broken through the difficult pass. 11 And what will make you know the path that is steep? 12 It is freeing the neck, 13 or the feeding, upon a day of [one's own] hunger, 14 The orphan near in relationship, 15 Or of a homeless needy person! 16 And to be of those who believe and exhort one another to perseverance and exhort one another to pity. 17 Such are they that have attained to righteousness; 18 and [as for] those who are bent on denying the truth of Our revelations, they are the people of the left hand, 19 and the Fire will close in on them. 20