The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ I swear by this city -- 1 And you are free (from sin, to punish the enemies of Islam on the Day of the conquest) in this city (Makkah). 2 And by the begetter and that which he begat, 3 That We created man in toil and trouble. 4 Does he think that never will anyone overcome him? 5 He says: “I have squandered enormous wealth.” 6 Does he think that none has observed him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 and a tongue, and two lips, 9 And shown him the two highways? 10 But he hath made no haste on the path that is steep. 11 Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Ascent is! - 12 (It is) Freeing a neck (slave, etc.) 13 or giving food on a day of hunger 14 to an orphan near of kin; 15 Or the poor in distress; 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 Those who do so are the people of the right hand, 18 And those who disbelieve in Our signs, they are the Companions of the Left Hand; 19 On them is fire closed over. 20