The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
۞ I swear by this city (Mecca) – 1 in which you are now living 2 and [I call to witness] parent and offspring: 3 Verily We have created man into toil and hardship. 4 Deemest he that none will overpower him? 5 He says, "I have spent enormous wealth." 6 Does he think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 And a tongue, and a pair of lips?- 9 And have shown him the two ways? 10 But he did not venture to scale the difficult steep. 11 What will explain to you what the ascent is? 12 To free a neck (from the burden of debt or slavery), 13 And to feed in the day of hunger. 14 The orphan near in relationship, 15 Or to the indigent (down) in the dust. 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 Those are the Companions of the Right Hand. 18 But they who disbelieved in Our signs - those are the companions of the left. 19 [with] fire closing in upon them. 20