The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
۞ I swear by this city (Mecca) – 1 and thou art a lodger in this land; 2 And (the mystic ties of) parent and child;- 3 Verily We have created man into toil and hardship. 4 What, does he think none has power over him, 5 saying, 'I have consumed wealth abundant'? 6 Thinketh he that none beholdeth him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 And a tongue, and a pair of lips?- 9 and shown him the two paths? 10 Yet he has not scaled the height. 11 And what could make thee conceive what it is, that steep uphill road? 12 It is freeing someone's neck from slavery; 13 Or the giving of food in a day of privation 14 To an orphan near of kin. 15 Or some poor wretch in misery, 16 And moreover to be of those who accepted faith, and who urged patience to one another and who urged graciousness to one another. 17 They are those on the Right Hand (the dwellers of Paradise), 18 And those who disbelieve Our signs - they are the fellows of the lefthand. 19 and the Fire will close in on them. 20