The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful
۞ I swear by this city (Makkah); 1 And you are free to live upon it, -- 2 and I swear by the parent and his offspring: 3 Certainly We have created man to be in distress. 4 Does he think that no one has power over him? 5 He says, "I have spent wealth in abundance." 6 Does he, then, think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not appointed to him two eyes, 8 and a tongue, and two lips, 9 and guided him on the two paths (of good and evil)? 10 But he would not attempt the uphill road, 11 What will explain to you what the ascent is? 12 (It is:) freeing the bondman; 13 or the feeding in times of famine 14 of an orphaned relative 15 Or the poor in distress; 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 As for those who disbelieve in Our revelations, they are the people of the left 19 with the Fire closed above them. 20