The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful
۞ I do not (need to) swear by this town (Mecca) 1 and you are a lodger in this country. 2 and [I call to witness] parent and offspring: 3 Verily, We have created man into [a life of] pain, toil and trial. 4 Thinks he that none can overcome him? 5 He says: “I have squandered enormous wealth.” 6 Deemest he that none beholdeth him? 7 Have We not made for him two eyes? 8 One tongue, and two lips, 9 And pointed out to him the two conspicuous ways? 10 But he would not attempt the uphill road, 11 And what could make thee conceive what it is, that steep uphill road? 12 It is the freeing of a slave 13 Or the feeding on a day of hunger. 14 To the orphan with claims of relationship, 15 Or to the indigent (down) in the dust. 16 so that he becomes one of those who believe, charge each other to be patient, and charge each other to be merciful. 17 Those are the Companions of the Right. 18 whereas those who are bent on denying the truth of Our messages - they are such as have lost themselves in evil, 19 with the Fire closed above them. 20