The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
۞ I swear by this city (Makkah); 1 this land in which thou art free to dwell 2 And by the giver of birth, and whom he fathered, 3 Certainly We have created man to be in distress. 4 Thinketh he, that none hath power over him? 5 (He boasts and shows off) saying, "I have spent a great deal of money (for the cause of God)". 6 Does he think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not made for him two eyes 8 and a tongue, and two lips, 9 And shown unto him the two highways? 10 So he did not quickly enter the steep valley. 11 And what could make thee conceive what it is, that steep uphill road? 12 The freeing of a slave, 13 the giving of food upon the day of hunger 14 to an orphaned relative 15 Or to a Miskin (poor) afflicted with misery. 16 And then being among those who believed and advised one another to patience and advised one another to compassion. 17 These are the People of the Right Hand. 18 But those who disbelieve Our revelations, their place will be on the left hand. 19 and the Fire will close in on them. 20