The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ I swear by this city (Mecca) – 1 And you shall be made free from obligation in this city-- 2 and by parent and offspring, 3 We have certainly created man into hardship. 4 Does he think that never will anyone overcome him? 5 (He boasts and shows off) saying, "I have spent a great deal of money (for the cause of God)". 6 Does he think that no one sees him? 7 Did We not make two eyes for him? 8 And a tongue and two lips? 9 Have We not shown him the ways of good and evil? 10 But he has made no effort to pass on the path that is steep. 11 And what shall make thee understand that which the steep is? 12 [It is] the freeing of one's neck [from the burden of sin,] 13 Or giving food in a day of hunger (famine), 14 Of a related orphan, 15 Or to a Miskin (poor) afflicted with misery. 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 disbelieved in Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), they are those on the Left Hand (the dwellers of Hell). 19 Fire will be an awning over them. 20