The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
۞ I swear by this city (Mecca) – 1 And thou art an indweller of this city - 2 by the begetter, and that he begot, 3 indeed, We created man in trouble. 4 What, does he think none has power over him, 5 He will say: 'I have destroyed a vast wealth' 6 Does he think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips? 9 And shown him the two highways? 10 Yet he attempteth not the steep, 11 What could let you know what the height is! 12 (It is:) freeing the bondman; 13 or giving food upon a day of hunger 14 of an orphan near of kin, 15 and downtrodden destitute person, (so that he would be of) 16 Then he became one of those who believed, and recommended one another to perseverance and patience, and (also) recommended one another to pity and compassion. 17 These are the People of the Right Hand. 18 whereas those who are bent on denying the truth of Our messages - they are such as have lost themselves in evil, 19 and the Fire will close in on them. 20