The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
۞ I swear by this city (Mecca) – 1 And thou art an indweller of this city - 2 And by oath of your forefather Ibrahim, and by you – his illustrious son! 3 That We created man in toil and trouble. 4 Does he think that no one has power over him? 5 He saith: I have wasted riches plenteous. 6 Does he think that no one has seen him? 7 Have We not made for him a pair of eyes? 8 One tongue, and two lips, 9 And pointed out to him the two conspicuous ways? 10 But he has made no effort to pass on the path that is steep. 11 What will explain to you what the ascent is? 12 It is the freeing of a slave; 13 Or giving food in a day of hunger (famine), 14 An orphan, of kin, 15 or to a destitute lying in dust; 16 and being, withal, of those who have attained to faith, and who enjoin upon one another patience in adversity, and enjoin upon one another compassion. 17 They are those on the Right Hand (the dwellers of Paradise), 18 And those who denied Our signs, are the people of the left. 19 On them will be Fire vaulted over (all round). 20