The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ I swear by this city (Mecca) – 1 this land in which thou art free to dwell 2 or by the great father and his wonderful son (Abraham and Ishmael) 3 Certainly We have created man to be in distress. 4 Does he think that no one has power over him? 5 He says, "I have spent enormous wealth." 6 Does he think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 And a tongue, and a pair of lips?- 9 And shown him the two ways (good and evil)? 10 But he hath not attempted the Ascent - 11 Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Ascent is! - 12 The freeing of a slave! 13 or the feeding, upon a day of [one's own] hunger, 14 The orphan near in relationship, 15 or to a 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 They are those on the Right Hand (the dwellers of Paradise), 18 As for those who rejected Our Signs, they are the People of the Left Hand. 19 who will be engulfed in the fire. 20