The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
۞ No, I swear by this country (Mecca), 1 this land in which thou art free to dwell 2 by the begetter, and that he begot, 3 We verily have created man in an atmosphere: 4 Does he, then, think that no one has power over him? 5 He says: “I have squandered enormous wealth.” 6 What, does he think none has seen him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 and a tongue, and two lips, 9 And shown him the two ways (good and evil)? 10 But he has not attempted the ascent. 11 And what do you know what that difficult steep is? 12 (It is) the freeing of a slave, 13 or giving food upon a day of hunger 14 To an orphan, having relationship, 15 or some needy person in distress, 16 Then he became one of those who believed, and recommended one another to perseverance and patience, and (also) recommended one another to pity and compassion. 17 These are the people of the right. 18 whereas those who are bent on denying the truth of Our messages - they are such as have lost themselves in evil, 19 [with] fire closing in upon them. 20