The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate
۞ I swear by this city (Makkah); 1 this land in which thou art free to dwell 2 and I swear by the parent and his offspring: 3 We have certainly created man into hardship. 4 Thinketh he that none hath power over him? 5 He saith: I have wasted riches plenteous. 6 Thinketh he that none beholdeth him? 7 Did We not assign unto him two eyes 8 And a tongue and a pair of lips? 9 And did We not guide him to the two elevated things? 10 But he hath not attempted the Ascent - 11 And what shall make thee understand that which the steep is? 12 It is freeing someone's neck from slavery; 13 or giving food upon a day of hunger 14 an orphaned relative 15 and downtrodden destitute person, (so that he would be of) 16 And to be of those who believe, and urge upon one another to persevere, and urge upon each other to be kind. 17 They are the people of the right hand (and will succeed). 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 shall be a Fire that will hem them in. 20