The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ I swear by this city (Mecca) – 1 And you, [O Muhammad], are free of restriction in this city - 2 And by the giver of birth, and whom he fathered, 3 that We have created man into a life of toil and trial. 4 Does he think that none has power over him! 5 He says (boastfully): "I have wasted wealth in abundance!" 6 Does he then think that no one sees him? 7 Did We not grant him two eyes, 8 a tongue, and two lips, 9 And shown him the two highways? 10 Yet he has not assaulted the steep; 11 Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Ascent is! - 12 To free a neck (from the burden of debt or slavery), 13 the giving of food upon the day of hunger 14 to an orphan near of kin 15 Or a needy person in 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 These are the fellows of the righthand. 18 But those who reject Our Signs, they are the (unhappy) Companions of the Left Hand. 19 who will be engulfed in the fire. 20