The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
۞ I do not (need to) swear by this town (Mecca) 1 and you are a lodger in this country. 2 And the parent and the offspring, 3 Verily, We have created man in toil. 4 Thinketh he, that none hath power over him? 5 He says, "I have spent enormous wealth." 6 What, does he think none has seen him? 7 Did We not grant him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips? 9 And shown him the two highways? 10 But he could not scale the steep ascent. 11 How will you comprehend what the Steep ascent is? -- 12 It is the freeing of a slave; 13 Or giving food in a day of hunger (famine), 14 of an orphaned relative 15 or of a needy [stranger] lying in the dust 16 And to be of those who believe and exhort one another to perseverance and exhort one another to pity. 17 Those are the Companions of the Right Hand. 18 And those who disbelieve Our signs - they are the fellows of the lefthand. 19 Over them shall be Fire closing round. 20