The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ I swear by yonder city 1 And you are free (from sin, to punish the enemies of Islam on the Day of the conquest) in this city (Makkah). 2 and [I call to witness] parent and offspring: 3 that We have created the human being to face a great deal of hardship. 4 What, does he think none has power over him, 5 He boasts, "I have spent wealth abundant!" 6 Does he then think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not made for him a pair of eyes? 8 And a tongue and two lips? 9 and guided him on the two paths (of good and evil)? 10 Yet, he has not entered into Aqaba 11 Would that you knew what Aqaba is! 12 The freeing of a slave, 13 Or feeding on a day of severe hunger 14 Of a related orphan, 15 Or some poor wretch in misery, 16 Then he became of those who believed and enjoined on each other steadfastness and enjoined on each other compassion. 17 Their place will be on the right hand. 18 But those who reject Our Signs, they are the (unhappy) Companions of the Left Hand. 19 On them is fire closed over. 20