The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
۞ I do not (need to) swear by this town (Mecca) 1 this land in which thou art free to dwell 2 And by oath of your forefather Ibrahim, and by you – his illustrious son! 3 We have certainly created man into hardship. 4 What, does he think none has power over him, 5 He says: "I have wasted a great deal of wealth." 6 Does he believe that none has seen him? 7 Did We not grant him two eyes, 8 a tongue, and two lips? 9 And did We not show him the two highroads (of good and evil)? 10 Yet, he has not entered into Aqaba 11 And what could make thee conceive what it is, that steep uphill road? 12 [It is] the freeing of one's neck [from the burden of sin,] 13 Or the giving of food in a day of hunger 14 an orphaned relative 15 or to a destitute lying in dust; 16 Then he became of those who believed and enjoined on each other steadfastness and enjoined on each other compassion. 17 These are the People of the Right Hand. 18 But those who reject Our Signs, they are the (unhappy) Companions of the Left Hand. 19 On them will be Fire vaulted over (all round). 20