The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
۞ I do not (need to) swear by this town (Mecca) 1 And you, [O Muhammad], are free of restriction in this city - 2 And the begetter and that which he begat, 3 Verily, We have created man in toil. 4 Thinketh he that none hath power over him? 5 He says, "I have spent wealth in abundance." 6 Does he think that no one has seen him? 7 Have We not made for him a pair of eyes? 8 and a tongue and two lips? 9 And showed him two highways (of good and evil)? 10 But he has not attempted the ascent. 11 And what will explain to thee the path that is steep?- 12 It is freeing someone's neck from slavery; 13 or the feeding, upon a day of [one's own] hunger, 14 of an orphan near of kin, 15 Or some poor wretch in misery, 16 Then he became one of those who believed, and recommended one another to perseverance and patience, and (also) recommended one another to pity and compassion. 17 These are the people of the right hand. 18 and [as for] those who are bent on denying the truth of Our revelations, they are the people of the left hand, 19 The Fire will be shut over them (i.e. they will be enveloped by the Fire without any opening or window or outlet. 20