The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ No, I swear by this country (Mecca), 1 For you (O dear Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him) are in this city. 2 and [I call to witness] parent and offspring: 3 Verily, We have created man into [a life of] pain, toil and trial. 4 Thinketh he that none hath power over him? 5 He will say: 'I have destroyed a vast wealth' 6 Does he, then, think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not made for him two eyes? 8 and a tongue, and a pair of lips, 9 Have We not shown him the ways of good and evil? 10 Yet he has not assaulted the steep; 11 And what will make you comprehend what the uphill road is? 12 (It is) the freeing of a slave, 13 or giving food upon a day of hunger 14 To an orphan near of kin. 15 or of a needy [stranger] lying in the dust 16 the believers who cooperate with others in patience (steadfastness) and kindness. 17 Those who do so are the people of the right hand, 18 whereas those who are bent on denying the truth of Our messages - they are such as have lost themselves in evil, 19 On them is fire closed over. 20