The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
۞ I swear by this city (Mecca) – 1 And you are free to live upon it, -- 2 And the begetter and whom he begot. 3 We have certainly created man into hardship. 4 Does he think that no one has power over him? 5 He says, "I have spent enormous wealth." 6 Does he believe that none has seen him? 7 Have We not made for him a pair of eyes?- 8 One tongue, and two lips, 9 Have We not shown him the ways of good and evil? 10 So he did not quickly enter the steep valley. 11 And what can make you know what is [breaking through] the difficult pass? 12 (It is) to free a slave, 13 or giving food on a day of hunger 14 an orphaned relative 15 or to a needy person in distress; 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 And those who disbelieve in Our signs, they are the Companions of the Left Hand; 19 [with] fire closing in upon them. 20