The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
۞ I swear by this city (Mecca) – 1 and you are dwelling in this city -- 2 And by oath of your forefather Ibrahim, and by you – his illustrious son! 3 Verily, We have created man into [a life of] pain, toil and trial. 4 Does He think that no one will ever have control over him? 5 He saith: I have wasted riches plenteous. 6 Does he, then, think that no one sees him? 7 Did We not assign unto him two eyes 8 And a tongue and two lips? 9 and guided him on the two highways? 10 But he would not try to ascend the steep uphill road... 11 And what could make thee conceive what it is, that steep uphill road? 12 It is the setting free of a slave 13 or the feeding, upon a day of [one's own] hunger, 14 an orphaned relative 15 and downtrodden destitute person, (so that he would be of) 16 and to be one of those who believe and urge one another to steadfastness and compassion. 17 They are those on the Right Hand (the dwellers of Paradise), 18 whereas those who are bent on denying the truth of Our messages - they are such as have lost themselves in evil, 19 On them will be Fire vaulted over (all round). 20