The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful
۞ I do not (need to) swear by this town (Mecca) 1 and you are a lodger in this country. 2 And the begetter and whom he begot. 3 Assuredly We have created man in trouble. 4 What, does he think none 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 Thinks he that none sees him? 7 Have We not made for him a pair of eyes?- 8 And a tongue and two lips, 9 And guide him to the parting of the mountain ways? 10 But he has made no effort to pass on the path that is steep. 11 What will explain to you what the ascent is? 12 (It is) the setting free of a slave, 13 or the feeding, upon a day of [one's own] hunger, 14 to an orphaned relative 15 and downtrodden destitute person, (so that he would be of) 16 and being, withal, of those who have attained to faith, and who enjoin upon one another patience in adversity, and enjoin upon one another compassion. 17 These are the people of the right hand. 18 And those who denied Our signs, are the people of the left. 19 with the Fire closed above them. 20