The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
۞ I do not (need to) swear by this town (Mecca) 1 this land in which thou art free to dwell 2 and I swear by the parent and his offspring: 3 that We have created the human being to face a great deal of hardship. 4 Does he think that never will anyone overcome him? 5 saying, 'I have consumed wealth abundant'? 6 Does he think that no one has seen him? 7 Did We not assign unto him two eyes 8 and a tongue, and two lips, 9 and shown him the two paths? 10 But he could not scale the steep ascent. 11 Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Ascent is! - 12 (It is) the setting free of a slave, 13 Or the feeding on a day of hunger. 14 An orphan, of kin, 15 and downtrodden destitute person, (so that he would be of) 16 Then he became one of those who believed, and recommended one another to perseverance and patience, and (also) recommended one another to pity and compassion. 17 Such are the Companions of the Right Hand. 18 and [as for] those who are bent on denying the truth of Our revelations, they are the people of the left hand, 19 [with] fire closing in upon them. 20