The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
۞ I do not (need to) swear by this town (Mecca) 1 – this city wherein you have been rendered violable– 2 and I swear by the parent and his offspring: 3 Verily, We have created man into [a life of] pain, toil and trial. 4 Does he think that none has power over him! 5 He says, “I destroyed vast wealth.” 6 Does he think that none has observed him? 7 Did We not grant him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips, 9 and shown him the two highways [of good and evil]? 10 But he has not broken through the difficult pass. 11 And what will explain to thee the path that is steep?- 12 It is freeing the neck, 13 the giving of food upon the day of hunger 14 to an orphan near of kin; 15 or to a destitute lying in dust; 16 And then being among those who believed and advised one another to patience and advised one another to compassion. 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 The Fire will be shut over them (i.e. they will be enveloped by the Fire without any opening or window or outlet. 20