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 in which you are now living 2 and by parent and offspring, 3 Verily, We have created man in toil. 4 Does he think that none has power over him! 5 He boasts, "I have spent wealth abundant!" 6 Does he think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not made for him a pair of eyes?- 8 and a tongue and two lips? 9 Have We not shown him the ways of good and evil? 10 But he would not attempt the uphill road, 11 Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Ascent is! - 12 (It is) Freeing a neck (slave, etc.) 13 Or feeding on a day of severe hunger 14 to an orphaned relative 15 or to a destitute lying in dust; 16 And then being among those who believed and advised one another to patience and advised one another to compassion. 17 These are the fellows of the righthand. 18 As for those who rejected Our Signs, they are the People of the Left Hand. 19 Over them will be fire closed in. 20