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 indeed created man surrounded by hardships. 4 Thinks he that none can overcome him? 5 He may say (boastfully); Wealth have I squandered in abundance! 6 Does he believe that none has seen him? 7 Have We not made for him a pair of eyes?- 8 a tongue, and two lips? 9 And guide him to the parting of the mountain ways? 10 Yet, he has not entered into Aqaba 11 Would that you knew what Aqaba is! 12 [It is] the freeing of one's neck [from the burden of sin,] 13 or giving food on a day of hunger 14 An orphan, of kin, 15 or of a needy [stranger] lying in the dust 16 And to be of those who believe and exhort one another to perseverance and exhort one another to pity. 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 Upon them shall be a Fire that will hem them in. 20