The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
۞ No, I swear by this country (Mecca), 1 And thou art a freeman of this City;- 2 And the begetter and whom he begot. 3 We have indeed created man surrounded by hardships. 4 Does he think that no one can overpower him? 5 He saith: I have wasted riches plenteous. 6 Does he then think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not made for him two eyes 8 One tongue, and two lips, 9 And guide him to the parting of the mountain ways? 10 Yet he has not scaled the height. 11 How will you comprehend what the Steep ascent is? -- 12 (It is) to free a slave, 13 Or giving food in a day of hunger (famine), 14 Of a related orphan, 15 Or the poor in distress; 16 and, then besides this, he be one of those who believed, and enjoined upon one another steadfastness and enjoined upon one another compassion. 17 Those are the Companions of the Right. 18 But those who disbelieve Our revelations, their place will be on the left hand. 19 On them will be Fire vaulted over (all round). 20