The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
۞ I swear by this city (Mecca) – 1 this land in which thou art free to dwell 2 and [I call to witness] parent and offspring: 3 indeed, We created man in trouble. 4 Does he, then, think that no one has power over him? 5 And he saith: I have destroyed vast wealth: 6 Thinketh he that none beholdeth him? 7 Did We not assign unto him two eyes 8 And a tongue and two lips, 9 and shown him the two paths? 10 But he has not broken through the difficult pass. 11 And what shall make thee understand that which the steep is? 12 (It is:) freeing the bondman; 13 Or, feeding, in a day of privation, 14 to an orphaned relative 15 or to a destitute lying in dust; 16 then that he become of those who believe and counsel each other to be steadfast, and counsel each other to be merciful. 17 They are the people of the right hand (and will succeed). 18 whereas those who are bent on denying the truth of Our messages - they are such as have lost themselves in evil, 19 The Fire will vault them over. 20