The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
۞ I do not (need to) swear by this town (Mecca) 1 And thou shalt be allowed in yonder city 2 And the begetter and whom he begot. 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 Thinks he that none sees him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips? 9 And did We not guide him to the two elevated things? 10 So he did not quickly enter the steep valley. 11 Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Ascent is! - 12 [It is] the freeing of one's neck [from the burden of sin,] 13 or giving food on a day of hunger 14 To an orphan, having relationship, 15 Or to the poor man lying in the dust. 16 and, then besides this, he be one of those who believed, and enjoined upon one another steadfastness and enjoined upon one another compassion. 17 Those are the Companions of the Right Hand. 18 And (as for) those who disbelieve in our communications, they are the people of the left hand. 19 over them is a Fire covered down. 20