The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
۞ I swear by this city (Mecca) – 1 this land in which thou art free to dwell 2 and [I call to witness] parent and offspring: 3 indeed, We created man in trouble. 4 Does he, then, think that no one has power over him? 5 saying, 'I have consumed wealth abundant'? 6 Does he believe that none has seen him? 7 Did We not give him two eyes, 8 and a tongue, and a pair of lips, 9 and guided him on the two highways? 10 But he hath not attempted the Ascent - 11 And what will make you comprehend what the uphill road is? 12 (It is) the freeing of a slave, 13 Or to feed in times of famine 14 of an orphan near of kin, 15 or some needy person in distress, 16 and, then besides this, he be one of those who believed, and enjoined upon one another steadfastness and enjoined upon one another compassion. 17 These are the people of the right. 18 But those who deny Our revelations are the people of the left hand: 19 [with] fire closing in upon them. 20