The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ I swear by this city (Mecca) – 1 And thou art an indweller of this city - 2 And (the mystic ties of) parent and child;- 3 We have certainly created man into hardship. 4 Thinketh he, that none hath power over him? 5 He saith: I have wasted riches plenteous. 6 Does he think that no one has seen 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 [of good and evil]? 10 Yet he has not assaulted the steep; 11 Would that you knew what Aqaba is! 12 (It is) to free a slave, 13 Or the giving of food in a day of privation 14 To an orphan near of kin. 15 and downtrodden destitute person, (so that he would be of) 16 Then he became one of those who believed, and recommended one another to perseverance and patience, and (also) recommended one another to pity and compassion. 17 Their place will be on the right hand. 18 But those who disbelieve in Our verses, they are the Companions of the Left, 19 Fire will be an awning over them. 20