The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ I swear by this city (Makkah); 1 this land in which thou art free to dwell 2 and I swear by the parent and his offspring: 3 We have indeed created man surrounded by hardships. 4 Does he think that no one has power over him? 5 And he saith: I have destroyed vast wealth: 6 Does he think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips, 9 Have We not shown him the ways of good and evil? 10 But he has made no effort to pass on the path that is steep. 11 And what can make you know what is [breaking through] the difficult pass? 12 (It is) to free a slave, 13 or, in a day of famine, the feeding of 14 of an orphaned relative 15 Or the poor in distress; 16 so that he becomes one of those who believe, charge each other to be patient, and charge each other to be merciful. 17 These are the people of the right. 18 But those who reject Our Signs, they are the (unhappy) Companions of the Left Hand. 19 Fire will be an awning over them. 20