The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
۞ I swear by this city, Makkah - 1 And thou shalt be allowed in yonder city 2 And by the giver of birth, and whom he fathered, 3 indeed, We created man in trouble. 4 Does he think that none has power over him! 5 He says, "I have spent wealth in abundance." 6 Does he believe that none has seen him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 and a tongue, and a pair of lips, 9 And did We not guide him to the two elevated things? 10 Yet he has not scaled the height. 11 How will you comprehend what the Steep ascent is? -- 12 (It is) the freeing of a slave, 13 or giving food upon a day of hunger 14 to an orphan near of kin; 15 Or the poor in distress; 16 Then will he be of those who believe, and enjoin patience, (constancy, and self-restraint), and enjoin deeds of kindness and compassion. 17 These are the fellows of the righthand. 18 As for those who disbelieve in Our revelations, they are the people of the left 19 and the Fire will close in on them. 20