The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
۞ I swear by this city (Makkah); 1 And you are free to live upon it, -- 2 And by the giver of birth, and whom he fathered, 3 Verily, We have created man into [a life of] pain, toil and trial. 4 Thinketh he that none hath power over him? 5 He saith: I have wasted riches plenteous. 6 Does he then think that no one sees him? 7 Did We not assign unto him two eyes 8 and a tongue, and two lips, 9 And shown him the two ways (good and evil)? 10 But he would not attempt the uphill road, 11 How will you comprehend what the Steep ascent is? -- 12 It is the freeing of a slave 13 Or, feeding, in a day of privation, 14 The orphan near in relationship, 15 Or of a homeless needy person! 16 then that he become of those who believe and counsel each other to be steadfast, and counsel each other to be merciful. 17 Such are the Companions of the Right Hand. 18 and [as for] those who are bent on denying the truth of Our revelations, they are the people of the left hand, 19 On them will be Fire vaulted over (all round). 20