The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ I swear by this city (Makkah); 1 And thou shalt be allowed in yonder city 2 And the begetter and that which he begat, 3 Verily, We have created man into [a life of] pain, toil and trial. 4 Does he think that none has power over him! 5 He says, "I have spent enormous wealth." 6 What, does he think none has seen him? 7 Did We not assign unto him two eyes 8 And a tongue, and a pair of lips?- 9 And showed him two highways (of good and evil)? 10 But he has not broken through the difficult pass. 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 giving of food in a day of privation 14 Of a related orphan, 15 Or to a Miskin (poor) afflicted with misery. 16 And moreover to be of those who accepted faith, and who urged patience to one another and who urged graciousness to one another. 17 These are the fellows of the righthand. 18 And (as for) those who disbelieve in our communications, they are the people of the left hand. 19 On them is fire closed over. 20