The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate
۞ No, I swear by this country (Mecca), 1 and you are a lodger in this country. 2 and [I call to witness] parent and offspring: 3 Verily We have created man into toil and hardship. 4 Does he think then that no one has power over him? 5 He says: “I have squandered enormous wealth.” 6 Thinketh he that none beholdeth him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 a tongue, and two lips, 9 and shown him the two highways [of good and evil]? 10 So he did not quickly enter the steep valley. 11 Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Ascent is! - 12 It is freeing someone's neck from slavery; 13 And to feed in the day of hunger. 14 To an orphan near of kin. 15 or a needy man in misery; 16 then that he become of those who believe and counsel each other to be steadfast, and counsel each other to be merciful. 17 Those are the companions of the right. 18 But those who deny Our revelations are the people of the left hand: 19 Upon them shall be a Fire that will hem them in. 20