The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
۞ I swear by this city (Makkah); 1 this land in which thou art free to dwell 2 And (the mystic ties of) parent and child;- 3 Verily We have created man into toil and hardship. 4 Thinketh he, that none hath power over him? 5 He boasts, "I have spent wealth abundant!" 6 Does he, then, think that no one sees him? 7 Did We not give him two eyes, 8 a tongue, and two lips, 9 And shown him the two ways (good and evil)? 10 But he hath not attempted the Ascent - 11 And what could make thee conceive what it is, that steep uphill road? 12 (It is:) freeing the bondman; 13 Or to feed in times of famine 14 to an orphaned relative 15 or some needy person in distress, 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 These are the fellows of the righthand. 18 And (as for) those who disbelieve in our communications, they are the people of the left hand. 19 The Fire will be shut over them (i.e. they will be enveloped by the Fire without any opening or window or outlet. 20