The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ I do not (need to) swear by this town (Mecca) 1 And thou shalt be allowed in yonder city 2 and by parent and offspring, 3 that We have created the human being to face a great deal of hardship. 4 Does he think that no one has power over him? 5 He says: "I have wasted a great deal of wealth." 6 Does he think that no one has seen him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips, 9 And showed him two highways (of good and evil)? 10 But he could not scale the steep ascent. 11 Would that you knew what Aqaba is! 12 To free a neck (from the burden of debt or slavery), 13 And to feed in the day of hunger. 14 Of a related orphan, 15 Or to the indigent (down) in the dust. 16 then that he become of those who believe and counsel each other to be steadfast, and counsel each other to be merciful. 17 These are the people of the right hand. 18 But those who deny Our revelations are the people of the left hand: 19 who will be engulfed in the fire. 20