The Town (Al-Balad)
Allah - beginning with the name of - the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
۞ I swear by this city (Makkah); 1 And thou art a freeman of this City;- 2 And by the begetter (i.e. Adam) and that which he begot (i.e. his progeny); 3 Assuredly We have created man in trouble. 4 Does he think that no one has power over him? 5 He says (boastfully): "I have wasted wealth in abundance!" 6 Does he think that none has observed him? 7 Did We not give him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips? 9 and guided him on the two highways? 10 But he has not attempted the ascent. 11 And what can make you know what is [breaking through] the difficult pass? 12 (It is) Freeing a neck (slave, etc.) 13 Or, feeding, in a day of privation, 14 The orphan near in relationship, 15 or to a needy person in distress; 16 and being, withal, of those who have attained to faith, and who enjoin upon one another patience in adversity, and enjoin upon one another compassion. 17 Those are the Companions of the Right Hand. 18 But those who reject Our Signs, they are the (unhappy) Companions of the Left Hand. 19 Upon them is a fire, in which they are imprisoned, closed and shut above them. 20