The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate
۞ I swear by this city (Makkah); 1 this land in which thou art free to dwell 2 And by the giver of birth, and whom he fathered, 3 Certainly We have created man to be in distress. 4 Does he think then that no one has power over him? 5 He says, “I destroyed vast wealth.” 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 paths? 10 But he did not venture to scale the difficult steep. 11 Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Ascent is! - 12 To free a neck (from the burden of debt or slavery), 13 or giving food on a day of hunger 14 The orphan near in relationship, 15 Or the poor in distress; 16 And to be of those who believe, and urge upon one another to persevere, and urge upon each other to be kind. 17 These are the people of the right hand. 18 whereas those who are bent on denying the truth of Our messages - they are such as have lost themselves in evil, 19 Upon them shall be a Fire that will hem them in. 20