The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful
۞ I do not (need to) swear by this town (Mecca) 1 And thou shalt be allowed in yonder city 2 And (the mystic ties of) parent and child;- 3 Certainly We have created man to be in distress. 4 Thinks he that none can overcome him? 5 (He boasts and shows off) saying, "I have spent a great deal of money (for the cause of God)". 6 Does he believe that none has seen him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips, 9 And have shown him the two ways? 10 So he did not quickly enter the steep valley. 11 And what will make you comprehend what the uphill road is? 12 It is freeing the neck, 13 or giving food on a day of hunger 14 of an orphaned relative 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 These are the people of the right. 18 But those who disbelieved in Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), they are those on the Left Hand (the dwellers of Hell). 19 Over them will be fire closed in. 20