The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
۞ I swear by this city, Makkah - 1 – this city wherein you have been rendered violable– 2 by the begetter, and that he begot, 3 Verily, We have created man in toil. 4 Does he, then, think that no one has power over him? 5 He boasts, "I have spent wealth abundant!" 6 Does he think that no one has seen him? 7 Did We not make two eyes for him? 8 And a tongue and two lips? 9 and shown him the two highways [of good and evil]? 10 Yet he has not assaulted the steep; 11 What will explain to you what the ascent is? 12 (It is:) freeing the bondman; 13 or the feeding, upon a day of [one's own] hunger, 14 of an orphaned relative 15 or of a needy [stranger] lying in the dust 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 These are the fellows of the righthand. 18 and [as for] those who are bent on denying the truth of Our revelations, they are the people of the left hand, 19 The Fire will vault them over. 20