The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
۞ I swear by this city (Mecca) – 1 and you are dwelling in this city -- 2 And the begetter and that which he begat, 3 Verily We have created man into toil and struggle. 4 Does he think then that no one has power over him? 5 He boasts, "I have spent wealth abundant!" 6 Does he think that no one has seen him? 7 Have We not appointed to him two eyes, 8 a tongue, and two lips? 9 and guided him on the two highways? 10 But he hath made no haste on the path that is steep. 11 Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Ascent is! - 12 It is the setting free of a slave 13 And to feed in the day of hunger. 14 of an orphan near of kin, 15 or some needy person in distress, 16 and, then besides this, he be one of those who believed, and enjoined upon one another steadfastness and enjoined upon one another compassion. 17 Those who do so are the people of the right hand, 18 But those who reject Our Signs, they are the (unhappy) Companions of the Left Hand. 19 Over them shall be Fire closing round. 20