The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
۞ I swear by this city (Makkah); 1 – this city wherein you have been rendered violable– 2 or by the great father and his wonderful son (Abraham and Ishmael) 3 indeed, We created man in trouble. 4 Does man think that no one will ever have power over him? 5 He says: “I have squandered enormous 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 him the two ways (good and evil)? 10 Yet, he has not entered into Aqaba 11 And what could make thee conceive what it is, that steep uphill road? 12 [It is] the freeing of one's neck [from the burden of sin,] 13 or the feeding in times of famine 14 to an orphan near of kin; 15 Or a needy person in misery 16 and, then besides this, he be one of those who believed, and enjoined upon one another steadfastness and enjoined upon one another compassion. 17 These are the people of the right hand. 18 and [as for] those who are bent on denying the truth of Our revelations, they are the people of the left hand, 19 The Fire will vault them over. 20