The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful
۞ I swear by this city (Makkah); 1 and you are dwelling in this city -- 2 And the begetter and that which he begat, 3 We have indeed created man surrounded by hardships. 4 Does he think that no one can overpower him? 5 And he saith: I have destroyed vast wealth: 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 did We not show him the two highroads (of good and evil)? 10 Yet he has not assaulted the steep; 11 And what will make you comprehend what the uphill road is? 12 It is the freeing of a slave; 13 Or the giving of food in a day of hunger 14 To the orphan with claims of relationship, 15 or some needy person in distress, 16 then that he become of those who believe and counsel each other to be steadfast, and counsel each other to be merciful. 17 These are the fellows of the righthand. 18 But those who deny Our revelations are the people of the left hand: 19 Over them will be fire closed in. 20