The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ I do not (need to) swear by this town (Mecca) 1 And you are free to live upon it, -- 2 And (the mystic ties of) parent and child;- 3 Verily, We have created man into [a life of] pain, toil and trial. 4 Thinketh he that none hath power over him? 5 He says: "I have wasted a great deal of wealth." 6 Does he think that none has observed him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips? 9 and shown him the two highways [of good and evil]? 10 But he hath not attempted the Ascent - 11 And what could make thee conceive what it is, that steep uphill road? 12 (It is) the setting free of a slave, 13 Or the feeding on a day of hunger. 14 To an orphan near of kin. 15 Or to the poor man lying in the dust. 16 and to be one of those who believe and urge one another to steadfastness and compassion. 17 Such are the Companions of the Right Hand. 18 And those who disbelieve in Our signs, they are the Companions of the Left Hand; 19 who will be engulfed in the fire. 20