The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
۞ I swear by this city (Mecca) – 1 and thou art a lodger in this land; 2 And by the begetter (i.e. Adam) and that which he begot (i.e. his progeny); 3 indeed, We created man in trouble. 4 Does he, then, think that no one has power over him? 5 He says: “I have squandered enormous 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 highways? 10 But he hath made no haste on the path that is steep. 11 And what will make you know the path that is steep? 12 (It is) the setting free of a slave, 13 or the feeding, upon a day of [one's own] hunger, 14 an orphaned relative 15 Or a poor man cleaving to the dust. 16 And to be of those who believe and exhort one another to perseverance and exhort one another to pity. 17 Such are they that have attained to righteousness; 18 But those who disbelieve in Our verses, they are the Companions of the Left, 19 over them is a Fire covered down. 20