The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ I do not (need to) swear by this town (Mecca) 1 – this city wherein you have been rendered violable– 2 And by the begetter (i.e. Adam) and that which he begot (i.e. his progeny); 3 that We have created the human being to face a great deal of hardship. 4 Deemest he that none will overpower him? 5 He boasts, "I have spent wealth abundant!" 6 Does he then think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not appointed to him two eyes, 8 One tongue, and two lips, 9 Have We not shown him the ways of good and evil? 10 Yet he attempteth not the steep, 11 And what can make you know what is [breaking through] the difficult pass? 12 It is the freeing of a slave 13 And to feed in the day of hunger. 14 to an orphan near of kin; 15 Or a poor man cleaving to the dust. 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 Fire will be an awning over them. 20