The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
۞ I swear by this city (Mecca) – 1 and thou art a lodger in this land; 2 And the begetter and that which he begat, 3 Verily We have created man into toil and struggle. 4 Deemest he that none will overpower him? 5 saying, 'I have consumed wealth abundant'? 6 Thinketh he that none beholdeth him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 One 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 And what shall make thee understand that which the steep is? 12 (It is) the freeing of a slave, 13 Or giving food in a day of hunger (famine), 14 To an orphan near of kin. 15 Or to the poor man lying in the dust. 16 And to be of those who believe, and urge upon one another to persevere, and urge upon each other to be kind. 17 These are the people of the right. 18 But those who reject Our Signs, they are the (unhappy) Companions of the Left Hand. 19 The Fire will vault them over. 20