The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
۞ I swear by this city (Makkah); 1 and you are dwelling in this city -- 2 And by the begetter (i.e. Adam) and that which he begot (i.e. his progeny); 3 Verily, We have created man into [a life of] pain, toil and trial. 4 Does he, then, think that no one has power over him? 5 He may say (boastfully); Wealth have I squandered in abundance! 6 Does he think that no one sees him? 7 Did We not grant him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips? 9 and shown him the two highways [of good and evil]? 10 But he would not attempt the uphill road, 11 And what do you know what that difficult steep is? 12 (It is) Freeing a neck (slave, etc.) 13 Or feeding on a day of severe hunger 14 An orphan, of kin, 15 Or some poor wretch in 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 On them will be Fire vaulted over (all round). 20