The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate
۞ I swear by this city (Mecca) – 1 – this city wherein you have been rendered violable– 2 And by the giver of birth, and whom he fathered, 3 Verily We have created man into toil and struggle. 4 Deemest he that none will overpower him? 5 He will say: 'I have destroyed a vast wealth' 6 Does he 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 has not attempted the ascent. 11 How will you comprehend what the Steep ascent is? -- 12 (It is) the freeing of a slave, 13 Or, feeding, in a day of privation, 14 To an orphan near of kin. 15 Or a needy person in misery 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 Those are the Companions of the Right Hand. 18 As for those who rejected Our Signs, they are the People of the Left Hand. 19 Upon them shall be a Fire that will hem them in. 20