Al Balad

1 In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. I swear by this city (Makkah);

1 In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. Nay, I swear by this city -

1 Nay! I swear by this city.

2 And you are free (from sin, and to punish the enemies of Islam on the Day of the conquest) in this city (Makkah).

2 And thou art an indweller of this city -

2 And you shall be made free from obligation in this city - -

3 And by the begetter (i.e. Adam عليه السلام) and that which he begot (i.e. his progeny).

3 And the begetter and that which he begat,

3 And the begetter and whom he begot.

4 Verily, We have created man in toil.

4 We verily have created man in an atmosphere:

4 Certainly We have created man to be in distress.

5 Does he think that none can overcome him?

5 Thinketh he that none hath power over him ?

5 Does he think that no one has power over him?

6 He says (boastfully): "I have wasted wealth in abundance!"

6 And he saith: I have destroyed vast wealth:

6 He shall say: I have wasted much wealth.

7 Does he think that none sees him?

7 Thinketh he that none beholdeth him ?

7 Does he think that no one sees him?

8 Have We not made for him two eyes,

8 Did We not assign unto him two eyes

8 Have We not given him two eyes,

9 And a tongue and two lips?

9 And a tongue and two lips,

9 And a tongue and two lips,

10 And shown him the two ways (good and evil)?

10 And guide him to the parting of the mountain ways ?

10 And pointed out to him the two conspicuous ways?

11 But he has not attempted to pass on the path that is steep (i.e. the path which will lead to goodness and success).

11 But he hath not attempted the Ascent -

11 But he would not attempt the uphill road,

12 And what will make you know the path that is steep?

12 Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Ascent is! -

12 And what will make you comprehend what the uphill road is?

13 (It is) freeing a neck (slave)

13 (It is) to free a slave,

13 (It is) the setting free of a slave,

14 Or giving food in a day of hunger (famine),

14 And to feed in the day of hunger.

14 Or the giving of food in a day of hunger

15 To an orphan near of kin.

15 An orphan near of kin,

15 To an orphan, having relationship,

16 Or to a Miskin (poor) cleaving to dust (out of misery).

16 Or some poor wretch in misery,

16 Or to the poor man lying in the dust.

17 Then he became one of those who believed (in the Islamic Monotheism) and recommended one another to perseverance and patience, and (also) recommended one another to pity and compassion.

17 And to be of those who believe and exhort one another to perseverance and exhort one another to pity.

17 Then he is of those who believe and charge one another to show patience, and charge one another to show compassion.

18 They are those on the Right Hand (i.e. the dwellers of Paradise),

18 Their place will be on the right hand.

18 These are the people of the right hand.

19 But those who disbelieved in Our Ayat (proofs, evidence, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), they are those on the Left Hand (the dwellers of Hell).

19 But those who disbelieve Our revelations, their place will be on the left hand.

19 And (as for) those who disbelieve in our communications, they are the people of the left hand.

20 The Fire will be shut over them (i.e. they will be enveloped by the Fire without any opening or window or outlet.

20 Fire will be an awning over them.

20 On them is fire closed over.