The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
۞ I swear by this city (Makkah); 1 and you are dwelling in this city -- 2 and I swear by the parent and his offspring: 3 Verily, We have created man in toil. 4 Does he think that none has power over him! 5 saying, 'I have consumed wealth abundant'? 6 Does he think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not appointed to him two eyes, 8 and a tongue, and a pair of lips, 9 and shown him the two paths? 10 But he could not scale the steep ascent. 11 And what shall make thee understand that which the steep is? 12 [It is] the freeing of one's neck [from the burden of sin,] 13 Or feeding on a day of severe hunger 14 of an orphaned relative 15 Or the poor in distress; 16 Then will he be of those who believe, and enjoin patience, (constancy, and self-restraint), and enjoin deeds of kindness and compassion. 17 Those are the Companions of the Right. 18 But those who reject Our Signs, they are the (unhappy) Companions of the Left Hand. 19 [with] fire closing in upon them. 20