The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
۞ I swear by this city (Makkah); 1 and thou art a lodger in this land; 2 or by the great father and his wonderful son (Abraham and Ishmael) 3 that We have created the human being to face a great deal of hardship. 4 Thinketh he that none hath power over him? 5 He saith: I have wasted riches plenteous. 6 Does he think that none has observed 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 scaled the height. 11 How will you comprehend what the Steep ascent is? -- 12 It is the setting free of a slave 13 Or to feed in times of famine 14 To an orphan near of kin. 15 or some needy person in distress, 16 and to be one of those who believe and urge one another to steadfastness and compassion. 17 Such are they that have attained to righteousness; 18 whereas those who are bent on denying the truth of Our messages - they are such as have lost themselves in evil, 19 [with] fire closing in upon them. 20