The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful
۞ I swear by this city (Mecca) – 1 in which you are now living 2 and I swear by the parent and his offspring: 3 Verily We have created man into toil and struggle. 4 Does he think that no one has power over him? 5 He shall say: I have wasted much wealth. 6 Thinketh he that none beholdeth him? 7 Have We not made for him two eyes? 8 and a tongue, and two lips, 9 And shown unto him the two highways? 10 But he would not attempt the uphill road, 11 And what have you understood, what the valley is! 12 It is the freeing of a slave; 13 And to feed in the day of hunger. 14 An orphan of near relationship 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 Those are the companions of the right. 18 whereas those who are bent on denying the truth of Our messages - they are such as have lost themselves in evil, 19 Over them will be fire closed in. 20