The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
۞ No, I swear by this country (Mecca), 1 – this city wherein you have been rendered violable– 2 and I swear by the parent and his offspring: 3 That We created man in toil and trouble. 4 Does he think that no one has power over 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 has seen him? 7 Did We not give him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips, 9 And shown unto him the two highways? 10 But he would not try to ascend the steep uphill road... 11 And what shall make thee understand that which the steep is? 12 (It is) the freeing of a slave, 13 or giving food upon a day of hunger 14 To the orphan with claims of relationship, 15 Or a needy person in misery 16 And to be of those who believe, and urge upon one another to persevere, and urge upon each other to be kind. 17 They are those on the Right Hand (the dwellers of Paradise), 18 But those who deny Our revelations are the people 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