The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
۞ I do not (need to) swear by this town (Mecca) 1 in which you are now living 2 And [by] the father and that which was born [of him], 3 Verily, We have created man in toil. 4 Does he think that no one has power over him? 5 He says (boastfully): "I have wasted wealth in abundance!" 6 Does man think that no one saw him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 One tongue, and two lips, 9 And shown him the two highways? 10 So he did not quickly enter the steep valley. 11 Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Ascent is! - 12 (It is) Freeing a neck (slave, etc.) 13 Or feeding on a day of severe hunger 14 To an orphan, having relationship, 15 Or the poor in distress; 16 and being, withal, of those who have attained to faith, and who enjoin upon one another patience in adversity, and enjoin upon one another compassion. 17 These are the fellows of the righthand. 18 But those who disbelieve in Our verses, they are the Companions of the Left, 19 The Fire will vault them over. 20