The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful
۞ I swear by this city (Makkah); 1 And you are free to live upon it, -- 2 and by parent and offspring, 3 Certainly We have created man to be in distress. 4 Thinks he that none can overcome him? 5 He will say: 'I have destroyed a vast 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 But he would not attempt the uphill road, 11 What will explain to you what the ascent is? 12 (It is) the freeing of a slave, 13 Or the giving of food in a day of privation 14 Of a related orphan, 15 and downtrodden destitute person, (so that he would be of) 16 then that he become of those who believe and counsel each other to be steadfast, and counsel each other to be merciful. 17 Those are the Companions of the Right Hand. 18 whereas those who are bent on denying the truth of Our messages - they are such as have lost themselves in evil, 19 with the Fire closed above them. 20