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 land in which thou art free to dwell 2 And the parent and the offspring, 3 indeed, We created man in trouble. 4 Does He think that no one will ever have control over him? 5 He boasts, "I have spent wealth abundant!" 6 Does man think that no one saw him? 7 Have We not made for him a pair of eyes? 8 And a tongue, and a pair of lips?- 9 and guided him on the two paths (of good and evil)? 10 But he has not broken through the difficult pass. 11 And what have you understood, what the valley is! 12 It is the freeing of a slave; 13 Or to feed in times of famine 14 An orphan, of kin, 15 or to a destitute lying in dust; 16 so that he becomes one of those who believe, charge each other to be patient, and charge each other to be merciful. 17 Such are they that have attained to righteousness; 18 And those who disbelieve in Our signs, they are the 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