The Town (Al-Balad)
Allah - beginning with the name of - the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
۞ I swear by this city (Makkah); 1 And you, [O Muhammad], are free of restriction in this city - 2 And the begetter and that which he begat, 3 Verily, We have created man into [a life of] pain, toil and trial. 4 Thinketh he, that none hath power over him? 5 He says, "I have spent enormous wealth." 6 Does he, then, think that no one sees him? 7 Did We not assign unto him two eyes 8 And a tongue and two lips, 9 And did We not show him the two highroads (of good and evil)? 10 But he has made no effort to pass on the path that is steep. 11 And what have you understood, what the valley is! 12 It is freeing the neck, 13 Or to feed in times of famine 14 an orphaned relative 15 Or to the poor man lying in the dust. 16 Then will he be of those who believe, and enjoin patience, (constancy, and self-restraint), and enjoin deeds of kindness and compassion. 17 They are those on the Right Hand (the dwellers of Paradise), 18 whereas those who are bent on denying the truth of Our messages - they are such as have lost themselves in evil, 19 Upon them is a fire, in which they are imprisoned, closed and shut above them. 20