The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
۞ No, I swear by this country (Mecca), 1 in which you are now living 2 And by the begetter and that which he begat, 3 Certainly We have created man to be in distress. 4 Does he think that none has power over him! 5 He says: “I have squandered enormous wealth.” 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 and guided him on the two paths (of good and evil)? 10 Yet he has not assaulted the steep; 11 What could let you know what the height is! 12 [It is] the freeing of one's neck [from the burden of sin,] 13 Or giving food in a day of hunger (famine), 14 of an orphaned relative 15 and downtrodden destitute person, (so that he would be of) 16 And to be of those who believe and exhort one another to perseverance and exhort one another to pity. 17 They are those on the Right Hand (the dwellers of Paradise), 18 But they who disbelieved in Our signs - those are the companions of the left. 19 On them will be Fire vaulted over (all round). 20