The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
۞ I do not (need to) swear by this town (Mecca) 1 and you are dwelling in this city -- 2 and by parent and offspring, 3 That We created man in toil and trouble. 4 Does He think that no one will ever have control over him? 5 He says, “I destroyed vast wealth.” 6 Does he think that no one has seen him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips, 9 And shown him the two ways (good and evil)? 10 Yet he has not assaulted the steep; 11 Would that you knew what Aqaba is! 12 It is freeing someone's neck from slavery; 13 Or feeding on a day of severe hunger 14 to an orphaned relative 15 Or a poor man cleaving to the dust. 16 Then he became of those who believed and enjoined on each other steadfastness and enjoined on each other compassion. 17 They are those on the Right Hand (the dwellers of Paradise), 18 As for those who rejected Our Signs, they are the People of the Left Hand. 19 and the Fire will close in on them. 20