The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ I do not (need to) swear by this town (Mecca) 1 – this city wherein you have been rendered violable– 2 And by the begetter and that which he begat, 3 We have indeed created man surrounded by hardships. 4 Does he think that no one has power over him? 5 (He boasts and shows off) saying, "I have spent a great deal of money (for the cause of God)". 6 Does he then think that no one sees him? 7 Did We not make two eyes for him? 8 And a tongue and a pair of lips? 9 And pointed out to him the two conspicuous ways? 10 Yet he has not scaled the height. 11 Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Ascent is! - 12 (It is) the setting free of a slave, 13 or the feeding in times of famine 14 An orphan near of kin, 15 Or the poor in distress; 16 Then he became of those who believed and enjoined on each other steadfastness and enjoined on each other compassion. 17 Those who do so are the people of the right hand, 18 But those who reject Our Signs, they are the (unhappy) Companions of the Left Hand. 19 On them is fire closed over. 20