The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ I swear by this city (Makkah); 1 and you are dwelling in this city -- 2 and [I call to witness] parent and offspring: 3 that We have created man into a life of toil and trial. 4 Does he think that never will anyone overcome him? 5 He may say (boastfully); Wealth have I squandered in abundance! 6 Does he think that no one has seen him? 7 Have We not appointed to him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips, 9 And shown him the two ways (good and evil)? 10 But he would not attempt the uphill road, 11 And what can make you know what is [breaking through] the difficult pass? 12 It is the setting free of a slave 13 or, in a day of famine, the feeding of 14 to an orphaned relative 15 Or to the indigent (down) in the dust. 16 Then will he be of those who believe, and enjoin patience, (constancy, and self-restraint), and enjoin deeds of kindness and compassion. 17 Such are the Companions of the Right Hand. 18 But those who disbelieved in Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), they are those on the Left Hand (the dwellers of Hell). 19 who will be engulfed in the fire. 20