The Town (Al-Balad)
Allah - beginning with the name of - the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
۞ No, I swear by this country (Mecca), 1 and thou art a lodger in this land; 2 or by the great father and his wonderful son (Abraham and Ishmael) 3 We have indeed created man surrounded by hardships. 4 Does He think that no one will ever have control over him? 5 And he saith: I have destroyed vast wealth: 6 Does he then think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips? 9 and guided him on the two paths (of good and evil)? 10 But he would not attempt the uphill road, 11 and what shall teach thee what is the steep? 12 It is the setting free of a slave 13 or the feeding, upon a day of [one's own] hunger, 14 an orphaned relative 15 Or the poor in distress; 16 Then he became of those who believed and enjoined on each other steadfastness and enjoined on each other compassion. 17 Such are the Companions of the Right Hand. 18 But those who reject Our Signs, they are the (unhappy) Companions of the Left Hand. 19 Upon them is a fire, in which they are imprisoned, closed and shut above them. 20