The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
۞ I swear by this city (Makkah); 1 And thou art a freeman of this City;- 2 and by parent and offspring, 3 that We have created the human being to face a great deal of hardship. 4 Does he think that no one has power over him? 5 He says (boastfully): "I have wasted wealth in abundance!" 6 Does he then think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not made for him a pair of eyes? 8 and a tongue, and a pair of lips, 9 And did We not show him the two highroads (of good and evil)? 10 So he did not quickly enter the steep valley. 11 And what will explain to thee the path that is steep?- 12 (It is:) freeing the bondman; 13 or the feeding, upon a day of [one's own] hunger, 14 To the orphan with claims of relationship, 15 and downtrodden destitute person, (so that he would be of) 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 whereas those who are bent on denying the truth of Our messages - they are such as have lost themselves in evil, 19 Over them shall be Fire closing round. 20