The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ No, I swear by this country (Mecca), 1 And you are free to live upon it, -- 2 by the begetter, and that he begot, 3 That We created man in toil and trouble. 4 Deemest he that none will overpower him? 5 He shall say: I have wasted much wealth. 6 Does he think that no one has seen him? 7 Have We not made for him two eyes? 8 and a tongue, and a pair of lips, 9 and guided him on the two paths (of good and evil)? 10 So he did not quickly enter the steep valley. 11 Would that you knew what Aqaba is! 12 (It is) to free a slave, 13 Or giving food in a day of hunger (famine), 14 An orphan near of kin, 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 These are the People of the Right Hand. 18 But those who reject Our Signs, they are the (unhappy) Companions of the Left Hand. 19 Fire will be an awning over them. 20