The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
۞ I do not (need to) swear by this town (Mecca) 1 and you are dwelling in this city -- 2 And (the mystic ties of) parent and child;- 3 that We have created the human being to face a great deal of hardship. 4 Does he think that no one can overpower him? 5 He may say (boastfully); Wealth have I squandered in abundance! 6 Does he think that no one sees him? 7 Did We not give him two eyes, 8 a tongue, and two lips? 9 And did We not show him the two highroads (of good and evil)? 10 Yet he attempteth not the steep, 11 Would that you knew what Aqaba is! 12 To free a neck (from the burden of debt or slavery), 13 or, in a day of famine, the feeding of 14 To an orphan near of kin. 15 or of a needy [stranger] lying in the dust 16 Then he is of those who believe and charge one another to show patience, and charge one another to show compassion. 17 These are the people of the right hand. 18 But those who reject Our Signs, they are the (unhappy) Companions of the Left Hand. 19 and the Fire will close in on them. 20