The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
۞ No, I swear by this country (Mecca), 1 And thou art an indweller of this city - 2 And the parent and the offspring, 3 We have certainly created man into hardship. 4 Does man think that no one will ever have power over him? 5 He says, “I destroyed vast wealth.” 6 Does he believe that none has seen him? 7 Have We not made for him two eyes? 8 And a tongue, and a pair of lips?- 9 And shown him the two highways? 10 But he would not attempt the uphill road, 11 What could let you know what the height is! 12 It is the freeing of a slave; 13 or giving food on a day of hunger 14 An orphan of near relationship 15 Or to the poor man lying in the dust. 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 People of the Right Hand. 18 But those who reject Our Signs, they are the (unhappy) Companions of the Left Hand. 19 and the Fire will close in on them. 20