The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
۞ I swear by this city, Makkah - 1 in which you are now living 2 and [I call to witness] parent and offspring: 3 Verily, We have created man in toil. 4 What, does he think none has power over him, 5 He says: “I have squandered enormous wealth.” 6 Does he believe that none has seen him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 a tongue, and two lips, 9 And did We not guide him to the two elevated things? 10 But he hath made no haste on the path that is steep. 11 How will you comprehend what the Steep ascent is? -- 12 (It is) Freeing a neck (slave, etc.) 13 or the feeding, upon a day of [one's own] hunger, 14 To an orphan, having relationship, 15 Or a poor man cleaving to 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 These are the people of the right. 18 and [as for] those who are bent on denying the truth of Our revelations, they are the people of the left hand, 19 The Fire will be shut over them (i.e. they will be enveloped by the Fire without any opening or window or outlet. 20