The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
۞ I swear by this city, Makkah - 1 and you are dwelling in this city -- 2 and by parent and offspring, 3 that We have created the human being to face a great deal of hardship. 4 Does man think that no one will ever have power over him? 5 He says (boastfully): "I have wasted wealth in abundance!" 6 Thinks he that none sees him? 7 Have We not made for him a pair of eyes? 8 And a tongue, and a pair of lips?- 9 and shown him the two highways [of good and evil]? 10 Yet he has not scaled the height. 11 And what will make you comprehend what the uphill road is? 12 It is the freeing of a slave 13 or the feeding in times of famine 14 of an orphaned relative 15 or some needy person in distress, 16 Then he is of those who believe and charge one another to show patience, and charge one another to show compassion. 17 Such are the Companions of the Right Hand. 18 As for those who disbelieve in Our revelations, they are the people of the left 19 and the Fire will close in on them. 20