The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful
۞ I swear by this city (Makkah); 1 and thou art a lodger in this land; 2 and I swear by the parent and his offspring: 3 Certainly We have created man to be in distress. 4 Does he think that no one has power over him? 5 He says, “I destroyed vast wealth.” 6 Does he then think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 a tongue, and two lips? 9 And pointed out to him the two conspicuous ways? 10 But he has not broken through the difficult pass. 11 Would that you knew what Aqaba is! 12 (It is) to free a slave, 13 Or giving food in a day of hunger (famine), 14 An orphan of near relationship 15 Or to the poor man lying in the dust. 16 then that he become of those who believe and counsel each other to be steadfast, and counsel each other to be merciful. 17 They are the people of the right hand (and will succeed). 18 and [as for] those who are bent on denying the truth of Our revelations, they are the people of the left hand, 19 Over them will be fire closed in. 20