The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
۞ I do not (need to) swear by this town (Mecca) 1 And thou art an indweller of this city - 2 And the parent and the offspring, 3 Verily We have created man into toil and hardship. 4 Deemest he that none will overpower him? 5 He boasts, "I have spent wealth abundant!" 6 Does he think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not made for him a pair of eyes? 8 and a tongue, and a pair of lips, 9 And shown him the two highways? 10 So he did not quickly enter the steep valley. 11 And what shall make thee understand that which the steep is? 12 (It is) to free a slave, 13 Or to feed in times of famine 14 An orphan of near relationship 15 or to a needy person in distress; 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 But those who reject Our Signs, they are the (unhappy) Companions of the Left Hand. 19 [with] fire closing in upon them. 20