The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
۞ No, I swear by this country (Mecca), 1 And you are free to live upon it, -- 2 and [I call to witness] parent and offspring: 3 We have indeed created man surrounded by hardships. 4 Does he, then, think that no one has power over him? 5 saying, 'I have consumed wealth abundant'? 6 Thinketh he that none beholdeth him? 7 Did We not give him two eyes, 8 a tongue, and two lips, 9 and shown him the two highways [of good and evil]? 10 But he hath not attempted the Ascent - 11 And what will make you know the path that is steep? 12 The freeing of a slave, 13 or the feeding, upon a day of [one's own] hunger, 14 An orphan, of kin, 15 or of a needy [stranger] lying in the dust 16 and to be one of those who believe and urge one another to steadfastness and compassion. 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 Over them shall be Fire closing round. 20