The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
۞ I do not (need to) swear by this town (Mecca) 1 and you are dwelling in this city -- 2 and I swear by the parent and his offspring: 3 That We created man in toil and trouble. 4 Does man think that no one will ever have power over him? 5 He says, “I destroyed vast wealth.” 6 Does he 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 But he did not venture to scale the difficult steep. 11 And what do you know what that difficult steep is? 12 (It is) the freeing of a slave, 13 Or the giving of food in a day of hunger 14 an orphaned relative 15 Or some poor wretch in misery, 16 then that he become of those who believe and counsel each other to be steadfast, and counsel each other to be merciful. 17 Such are they that have attained to righteousness; 18 But those who disbelieve Our revelations, their place will be on the left hand. 19 On them will be Fire vaulted over (all round). 20