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 a lodger in this country. 2 And (the mystic ties of) parent and child;- 3 We created the human in fatigue. 4 Does man think that no one will ever have power over him? 5 He says, “I destroyed vast wealth.” 6 Thinketh he that none beholdeth him? 7 Have We not made for him two eyes? 8 And a tongue, and a pair of lips?- 9 And shown unto him the two highways? 10 But he would not try to ascend the steep uphill road... 11 And what will make you know the path that is steep? 12 (It is) the setting free of a slave, 13 or giving food on a day of hunger 14 of an orphan near of kin, 15 Or of a homeless needy person! 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 And those who disbelieve in Our signs, they are the Companions of the Left Hand; 19 and the Fire will close in on them. 20