The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
۞ I swear by this city (Mecca) – 1 and you are dwelling in this city -- 2 And [by] the father and that which was born [of him], 3 We have certainly created man into hardship. 4 Does man think that no one will ever have power over him? 5 He may say (boastfully); Wealth have I squandered in abundance! 6 Does he, then, think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 a tongue, and two lips? 9 And shown him the two ways (good and evil)? 10 But he could not scale the steep ascent. 11 Would that you knew what Aqaba is! 12 (It is) Freeing a neck (slave, etc.) 13 Or giving food in a day of hunger (famine), 14 to an orphan near of kin; 15 or to a needy person in distress; 16 and to be one of those who believe and urge one another to steadfastness and compassion. 17 These are the people of the right. 18 But those who disbelieve Our revelations, their place will be on the left hand. 19 and the Fire will close in on them. 20