The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful
۞ I swear by this city, Makkah - 1 and you are a lodger in this country. 2 And by oath of your forefather Ibrahim, and by you – his illustrious son! 3 indeed, We created man in trouble. 4 Does he think that no one has power over him? 5 He boasts, "I have spent wealth abundant!" 6 Does he think that none has observed him? 7 Have We not given 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 How will you comprehend what the Steep ascent is? -- 12 (It is) to free a slave, 13 Or to feed in times of famine 14 Of a related orphan, 15 and downtrodden destitute person, (so that he would be of) 16 the believers who cooperate with others in patience (steadfastness) and kindness. 17 Such are they that have attained to righteousness; 18 whereas those who are bent on denying the truth of Our messages - they are such as have lost themselves in evil, 19 with the Fire closed above them. 20