The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
۞ I swear by this city (Mecca) – 1 this land in which thou art free to dwell 2 And the begetter and whom he begot. 3 Verily, We have created man in toil. 4 Does he think that no one can overpower him? 5 He may say (boastfully); Wealth have I squandered in abundance! 6 Does he then think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not made for him a pair of eyes?- 8 And a tongue, and a pair of lips?- 9 And shown him the two highways? 10 But he hath not attempted the Ascent - 11 And what could make thee conceive what it is, that steep uphill road? 12 [It is] the freeing of one's neck [from the burden of sin,] 13 Or feeding on a day of severe hunger 14 Of a related orphan, 15 Or to a Miskin (poor) afflicted with misery. 16 And to be of those who believe, and urge upon one another to persevere, and urge upon each other to be kind. 17 They are those on the Right Hand (the dwellers of Paradise), 18 And those who disbelieve Our signs - they are the fellows of the lefthand. 19 Over them shall be Fire closing round. 20