The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
۞ I swear by this city (Makkah); 1 – this city wherein you have been rendered violable– 2 And the begetter and whom he begot. 3 We have certainly created man into hardship. 4 Does he think that no one has power over him? 5 He says: "I have wasted a great deal of wealth." 6 Does he think that no one has seen him? 7 Did We not give 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 How will you comprehend what the Steep ascent is? -- 12 It is the setting free of a slave 13 Or giving food in a day of hunger (famine), 14 to an orphan near of kin; 15 or of a needy [stranger] lying in the dust 16 And to be of those who believe, and urge upon one another to persevere, and urge upon each other to be kind. 17 These are the people of the right hand. 18 As for those who rejected Our Signs, they are the People of the Left Hand. 19 Over them shall be Fire closing round. 20