The Town (Al-Balad)
Allah - beginning with the name of - the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
۞ I swear by this city (Mecca) – 1 and thou art a lodger in this land; 2 And by oath of your forefather Ibrahim, and by you – his illustrious son! 3 that We have created man into a life of toil and trial. 4 Does he, then, think that no one has power over him? 5 He says: “I have squandered enormous wealth.” 6 Does he think that no one 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 paths (of good and evil)? 10 But he did not venture to scale the difficult steep. 11 And what will explain to thee the path that is steep?- 12 The freeing of a slave! 13 Or to feed in times of famine 14 an orphaned relative 15 Or a poor man cleaving to the dust. 16 and to be one of those who believe and urge one another to steadfastness and compassion. 17 These are the fellows of the righthand. 18 But those who disbelieve Our revelations, their place will be on the left hand. 19 Upon them is a fire, in which they are imprisoned, closed and shut above them. 20