The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
۞ I do not (need to) swear by this town (Mecca) 1 And thou art an indweller of this city - 2 And by oath of your forefather Ibrahim, and by you – his illustrious son! 3 that We have created the human being to face a great deal of hardship. 4 Does he, then, think that no one has power over him? 5 (He boasts and shows off) saying, "I have spent a great deal of money (for the cause of God)". 6 Deemest he that none beholdeth him? 7 Have We not made for him a pair of eyes? 8 and a tongue, and a pair of lips, 9 and shown him the two highways [of good and evil]? 10 But he hath not attempted the Ascent - 11 Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Ascent is! - 12 It is the setting free of a slave 13 Or the giving of food in a day of privation 14 to an orphaned relative 15 or some needy person in distress, 16 so that he becomes one of those who believe, charge each other to be patient, and charge each other to be merciful. 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 [with] fire closing in upon them. 20