The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ I swear by this city (Makkah); 1 and you are dwelling in this city -- 2 And the begetter and whom he begot. 3 We have indeed created man surrounded by hardships. 4 Does he think that no one has power over him? 5 He boasts, "I have spent wealth abundant!" 6 Deemest he that none beholdeth him? 7 Have We not appointed to him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips, 9 And shown him the two highways? 10 But he would not try to ascend the steep uphill road... 11 And what can make you know what is [breaking through] the difficult pass? 12 The freeing of a slave! 13 Or the feeding on a day of hunger. 14 An orphan, of kin, 15 Or to the poor man lying in the dust. 16 Then will he be of those who believe, and enjoin patience, (constancy, and self-restraint), and enjoin deeds of kindness and compassion. 17 These are the people of the right hand. 18 As for those who disbelieve in Our revelations, they are the people of the left 19 On them is fire closed over. 20