The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
۞ No, I swear by this country (Mecca), 1 and you are a lodger in this country. 2 and [I call to witness] parent and offspring: 3 We have indeed created man surrounded by hardships. 4 What, does he think none has power over him, 5 He will say: 'I have destroyed a vast wealth' 6 Does he believe that none has seen him? 7 Have We not made for him two eyes? 8 And a tongue and a pair of lips? 9 And have shown him the two ways? 10 But he has not broken through the difficult pass. 11 And what have you understood, what the valley is! 12 It is freeing someone's neck from slavery; 13 or, in a day of famine, the feeding of 14 to an orphaned relative 15 Or of a homeless needy person! 16 Then he is of those who believe and charge one another to show patience, and charge one another to show compassion. 17 Their place will be on the right hand. 18 And those who disbelieve in Our signs, they are the Companions of the Left Hand; 19 [with] fire closing in upon them. 20