The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful
۞ I swear by this city (Mecca) – 1 and thou art a lodger in this land; 2 And the begetter and that which he begat, 3 We have certainly created man into hardship. 4 Deemest he that none will overpower him? 5 He says, “I destroyed vast wealth.” 6 Does he think that no one has seen him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 a tongue, and two lips, 9 and guided him on the two highways? 10 But he would not try to ascend the steep uphill road... 11 Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Ascent is! - 12 It is the freeing of a slave 13 or giving food upon a day of hunger 14 To an orphan near of kin. 15 Or of a homeless needy person! 16 And to be of those who believe and exhort one another to perseverance and exhort one another to pity. 17 Those who do so are the people of the right hand, 18 But they who disbelieved in Our signs - those are the companions of the left. 19 Over them will be fire closed in. 20