The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
۞ I swear by this city (Makkah); 1 And you are free to live upon it, -- 2 and [I call to witness] parent and offspring: 3 We have indeed created man surrounded by hardships. 4 Thinketh he that none hath power over him? 5 He says, "I have spent enormous wealth." 6 Does he think that no one has seen him? 7 Have We not made for him a pair of eyes?- 8 And a tongue and a pair of lips? 9 And showed him two highways (of good and evil)? 10 But he hath not attempted the Ascent - 11 and what shall teach thee what is the steep? 12 It is freeing the neck, 13 or the feeding in times of famine 14 To the orphan with claims of relationship, 15 or of a needy [stranger] lying in the dust 16 And then being among those who believed and advised one another to patience and advised one another to compassion. 17 Those are the Companions of the Right. 18 And those who disbelieve in Our signs, they are the Companions of the Left Hand; 19 The Fire will vault them over. 20