The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
۞ No, I swear by this country (Mecca), 1 And thou art a freeman of this City;- 2 And the parent and the offspring, 3 that We have created man into a life of toil and trial. 4 Does he think that no one has power over him? 5 He may say (boastfully); Wealth have I squandered in abundance! 6 Does man think that no one saw him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 One tongue, and two lips, 9 and shown him the two paths? 10 But he would not try to ascend the steep uphill road... 11 How will you comprehend what the Steep ascent is? -- 12 To free a neck (from the burden of debt or slavery), 13 Or giving food in a day of hunger (famine), 14 To an orphan, having relationship, 15 Or to a Miskin (poor) afflicted with misery. 16 so that he becomes one of those who believe, charge each other to be patient, and charge each other to be merciful. 17 These are the fellows of the righthand. 18 But those who reject Our Signs, they are the (unhappy) Companions of the Left Hand. 19 The Fire will be shut over them (i.e. they will be enveloped by the Fire without any opening or window or outlet. 20