The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ I do not (need to) swear by this town (Mecca) 1 And you are free to live upon it, -- 2 and by parent and offspring, 3 Certainly We have created man to be in distress. 4 Deemest he that none will overpower him? 5 He may say (boastfully); Wealth have I squandered in abundance! 6 Thinketh he that none beholdeth him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 and a tongue and two lips? 9 And showed him two highways (of good and evil)? 10 But he would not try to ascend the steep uphill road... 11 and what shall teach thee what is the steep? 12 (It is) to free a slave, 13 or, in a day of famine, the feeding of 14 To an orphan near of kin. 15 Or of a homeless needy person! 16 Then he became one of those who believed, and recommended one another to perseverance and patience, and (also) recommended one another to pity and compassion. 17 Those are the companions of the right. 18 And those who denied Our signs, are the people of the left. 19 Fire will be an awning over them. 20