The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful
۞ I swear by this city (Mecca) – 1 And you, [O Muhammad], are free of restriction in this city - 2 And by the begetter (i.e. Adam) and that which he begot (i.e. his progeny); 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 think that no one sees 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 But he hath made no haste on the path that is steep. 11 And what will make you know the path that is steep? 12 (It is) the freeing of a slave, 13 Or the giving of food in a day of hunger 14 An orphan of near relationship 15 or to a destitute lying in dust; 16 and being, withal, of those who have attained to faith, and who enjoin upon one another patience in adversity, and enjoin upon one another compassion. 17 Those are the companions of the right. 18 whereas those who are bent on denying the truth of Our messages - they are such as have lost themselves in evil, 19 Over them will be fire closed in. 20