The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ I do not (need to) swear by this town (Mecca) 1 in which you are now living 2 and [I call to witness] parent and offspring: 3 We have certainly created man into hardship. 4 Does He think that no one will ever have control over him? 5 He says: “I have squandered enormous wealth.” 6 Does he then think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not made for him two eyes 8 And a tongue and two lips? 9 And pointed out to him the two conspicuous ways? 10 But he did not venture to scale the difficult steep. 11 Would that you knew what Aqaba is! 12 (It is) the freeing of a slave, 13 or the feeding, upon a day of [one's own] hunger, 14 An orphan, of kin, 15 Or to a Miskin (poor) afflicted with misery. 16 the believers who cooperate with others in patience (steadfastness) and kindness. 17 These are the people of the right hand. 18 As for those who rejected Our Signs, they are the People of the Left Hand. 19 On them is fire closed over. 20