The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
۞ I do not (need to) swear by this town (Mecca) 1 And thou art a freeman of this City;- 2 And the parent and the offspring, 3 that We have created man into a life of toil and trial. 4 Does he think that no one has power over him? 5 He shall say: I have wasted much wealth. 6 Does he think that no one has seen him? 7 Have We not made for him two eyes? 8 and a tongue, and a pair of lips, 9 and guided him on the two highways? 10 But he has not broken through the difficult pass. 11 What will explain to you what the ascent is? 12 To free a neck (from the burden of debt or slavery), 13 Or, feeding, in a day of privation, 14 of an orphan near of kin, 15 or to a needy person in distress; 16 so that he becomes one of those who believe, charge each other to be patient, and charge each other to be merciful. 17 Those are the Companions of the Right. 18 And (as for) those who disbelieve in our communications, they are the people of the left hand. 19 Over them shall be Fire closing round. 20