The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
۞ I do not (need to) swear by this town (Mecca) 1 – this city wherein you have been rendered violable– 2 by the begetter, and that he begot, 3 Verily, We have created man in toil. 4 Does he think that never will anyone overcome him? 5 He says, “I destroyed vast wealth.” 6 Thinketh he that none beholdeth him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 And a tongue, and a pair of lips?- 9 And shown him the two highways? 10 Yet, he has not entered into Aqaba 11 And what will make you comprehend what the uphill road is? 12 It is the setting free of a slave 13 Or to feed in times of famine 14 To an orphan, having relationship, 15 or some needy person in distress, 16 then that he become of those who believe and counsel each other to be steadfast, and counsel each other to be merciful. 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 over them is a Fire covered down. 20