The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ I do not (need to) swear by this town (Mecca) 1 and thou art a lodger in this land; 2 And by the begetter (i.e. Adam) and that which he begot (i.e. his progeny); 3 indeed, We created man in trouble. 4 Does he think that never will anyone overcome him? 5 saying, 'I have consumed wealth abundant'? 6 Does he think that no one has seen him? 7 Did We not give him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips, 9 And guide him to the parting of the mountain ways? 10 Yet he has not scaled the height. 11 What could let you know what the height is! 12 (It is) the freeing of a slave, 13 or, in a day of famine, the feeding of 14 to an orphaned relative 15 Or to the indigent (down) in the dust. 16 and to be one of those who believe and urge one another to steadfastness and compassion. 17 Those are the Companions of the Right Hand. 18 But those who reject Our Signs, they are the (unhappy) Companions of the Left Hand. 19 On them is fire closed over. 20