The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
۞ I swear by this city (Mecca) – 1 and you are a lodger in this country. 2 by the begetter, and that he begot, 3 We verily have created man in an atmosphere: 4 Does He think that no one will ever have control over him? 5 He may say (boastfully); Wealth have I squandered in abundance! 6 Deemest he that none beholdeth him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips, 9 And pointed out to him the two conspicuous ways? 10 But he has not attempted the ascent. 11 And what could make thee conceive what it is, that steep uphill road? 12 (It is) the setting free of a slave, 13 or, in a day of famine, the feeding of 14 of an orphaned relative 15 and downtrodden destitute person, (so that he would be of) 16 and, then besides this, he be one of those who believed, and enjoined upon one another steadfastness and enjoined upon one another compassion. 17 Such are the Companions of the Right Hand. 18 As for those who rejected Our Signs, they are the People of the Left Hand. 19 Over them shall be Fire closing round. 20