The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
۞ No, I swear by this country (Mecca), 1 And you are free to live upon it, -- 2 and [I call to witness] parent and offspring: 3 indeed, We created man in trouble. 4 Does he think that no one has power over him? 5 He says: “I have squandered enormous wealth.” 6 Thinks he that none sees him? 7 Did We not make two eyes for him? 8 And a tongue and two lips, 9 and guided him on the two paths (of good and evil)? 10 So he did not quickly enter the steep valley. 11 Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Ascent is! - 12 It is the setting free of a slave 13 or giving food upon a day of hunger 14 The orphan near in relationship, 15 Or the poor in distress; 16 And to be of those who believe, and urge upon one another to persevere, and urge upon each other to be kind. 17 Those are the Companions of the Right Hand. 18 But those who disbelieve Our revelations, their place will be on the left hand. 19 and the Fire will close in on them. 20