The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
۞ I swear by this city (Mecca) – 1 and thou art a lodger in this land; 2 and I swear by the parent and his offspring: 3 Verily We have created man into toil and struggle. 4 Does he think that never will anyone overcome 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 given him two eyes, 8 and a tongue, and a pair of lips, 9 Have We not shown him the ways of good and evil? 10 Yet, he has not entered into Aqaba 11 And what can make you know what is [breaking through] the difficult pass? 12 (It is) Freeing a neck (slave, etc.) 13 or giving food on a day of hunger 14 An orphan, of kin, 15 or some needy person in distress, 16 And to be of those who believe, and urge upon one another to persevere, and urge upon each other to be kind. 17 Those are the Companions of the Right. 18 But they who disbelieved in Our signs - those are the companions of the left. 19 and the Fire will close in on them. 20