The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
۞ I swear by this city (Makkah); 1 this land in which thou art free to dwell 2 And by the begetter (i.e. Adam) and that which he begot (i.e. his progeny); 3 indeed, We created man in trouble. 4 Does he think that no one has power over him? 5 He boasts, "I have spent wealth abundant!" 6 Does he think that no one has seen him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 and a tongue, and two lips, 9 Have We not shown him the ways of good and evil? 10 But he did not venture to scale the difficult steep. 11 Would that you knew what Aqaba is! 12 The freeing 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 Then he is of those who believe and charge one another to show patience, and charge one another to show compassion. 17 These are the fellows of the righthand. 18 And those who disbelieve in Our signs, they are the Companions of the Left Hand; 19 Over them shall be Fire closing round. 20