Surah 90. Al-Balad The Land - English Translation

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Verses : 20
البلد
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In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

bookmark 1. I swear by this land.

1. لَآ أُقْسِمُ بِهَٰذَا ٱلْبَلَدِ

bookmark 2. And you are a resident of this land.

2. وَأَنتَ حِلٌّۢ بِهَٰذَا ٱلْبَلَدِ

bookmark 3. And by a father and what he fathered.

3. وَوَالِدٍۢ وَمَا وَلَدَ

bookmark 4. We created man in distress.

4. لَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ فِى كَبَدٍ

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

5. أَيَحْسَبُ أَن لَّن يَقْدِرَ عَلَيْهِ أَحَدٌۭ

bookmark 6. He says, “I have used up so much money.”

6. يَقُولُ أَهْلَكْتُ مَالًۭا لُّبَدًا

bookmark 7. Does he think that no one sees him?

7. أَيَحْسَبُ أَن لَّمْ يَرَهُۥٓ أَحَدٌ

bookmark 8. Did We not give him two eyes?

8. أَلَمْ نَجْعَل لَّهُۥ عَيْنَيْنِ

bookmark 9. And a tongue, and two lips?

9. وَلِسَانًۭا وَشَفَتَيْنِ

bookmark 10. And We showed him the two ways?

10. وَهَدَيْنَٰهُ ٱلنَّجْدَيْنِ

bookmark 11. But he did not brave the ascent.

11. فَلَا ٱقْتَحَمَ ٱلْعَقَبَةَ

bookmark 12. And what will explain to you what the ascent is?

12. وَمَآ أَدْرَىٰكَ مَا ٱلْعَقَبَةُ

bookmark 13. The freeing of a slave.

13. فَكُّ رَقَبَةٍ

bookmark 14. Or the feeding on a day of hunger.

14. أَوْ إِطْعَٰمٌۭ فِى يَوْمٍۢ ذِى مَسْغَبَةٍۢ

bookmark 15. An orphan near of kin.

15. يَتِيمًۭا ذَا مَقْرَبَةٍ

bookmark 16. Or a destitute in the dust.

16. أَوْ مِسْكِينًۭا ذَا مَتْرَبَةٍۢ

bookmark 17. Then he becomes of those who believe, and advise one another to patience, and advise one another to kindness.

17. ثُمَّ كَانَ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَتَوَاصَوْا۟ بِٱلصَّبْرِ وَتَوَاصَوْا۟ بِٱلْمَرْحَمَةِ

bookmark 18. These are the people of happiness.

18. أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَٰبُ ٱلْمَيْمَنَةِ

bookmark 19. But as for those who defy Our revelations—these are the people of misery.

19. وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا هُمْ أَصْحَٰبُ ٱلْمَشْـَٔمَةِ

bookmark 20. Upon them is a padlocked Fire.

20. عَلَيْهِمْ نَارٌۭ مُّؤْصَدَةٌۢ

Context of Revelation

The surah Al-Balad (“The City”) is a Meccan surah consisting of 20 verses. It was revealed in Mecca during a time of strong opposition to the Prophet’s ﷺ message. The word Al-Balad refers to Mecca itself, the sacred city where the Prophet ﷺ received the Revelation.

According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, this surah was revealed to remind mankind of the moral and spiritual struggle inherent to life and to denounce the arrogance of those who rely solely on wealth. It emphasizes both the sanctity of Mecca and the noble mission of the Prophet ﷺ.

Main Teachings and Key Insights

The surah Al-Balad highlights human dignity through effort, moral responsibility, and the path to salvation. Its main teachings include:

  • Oath by Mecca: God swears by the sacred city, the place of the Prophet’s mission. (verses 1–2)
  • Man’s nature as a struggler: humanity is created for effort and endurance, not for comfort or ease. (verse 4)
  • Divine gifts: God gave man eyes, a tongue, and discernment — yet many fail to acknowledge these blessings. (verses 8–10)
  • The “steep path”: the call to free slaves, help orphans and the poor, believe, and remain patient. (verses 11–17)
  • Final distinction: the righteous (“people of the right hand”) are rewarded, while the deniers (“people of the left”) are condemned. (verses 18–20)

The surah teaches that true nobility lies not in wealth but in moral excellence, and that genuine faith is proven through compassion and selfless deeds.

Structure and Main Themes

  • Divine oath by Mecca (verses 1–3): honoring the holy city and its Prophet.
  • Human struggle and awareness (verses 4–10): man is created to strive and endowed with faculties for discernment.
  • The steep path (verses 11–17): moral struggle through charity, empathy, and endurance.
  • Final outcome (verses 18–20): salvation for the righteous, loss for the deniers.

The tone of the surah is moral and introspective, urging believers to rise above pride and follow the difficult but rewarding path of righteousness.

Key Verse

The pivotal verses of the surah are verses 11–12:

فَلَا اقْتَحَمَ الْعَقَبَةَ * وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا الْعَقَبَةُ

But he has not attempted the steep path — and what will make you understand what the steep path is?

Why are these verses key?

  • They embody the central concept of moral and spiritual struggle: salvation requires overcoming hardship and selfishness.
  • They reflect the Islamic philosophy of life — a test of perseverance, compassion, and faith.
  • The following verses define this path clearly: freeing a slave, feeding an orphan, believing, and practicing patience — all tangible acts of sincere faith.

In summary, Al-Balad teaches that true success lies in inner struggle, compassion, and faith. It celebrates human effort and mercy as paths to salvation, while honoring the sacred city where the divine message began.

Surah Al-Balad
The Land
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البلد
1.
Al-Fatiha The Opening
2.
Al-Baqara The Cow
3.
Al-Imran Family of Imran
4.
An-Nisa' Women
5.
Al-Maidah The Table
6.
Al-Anam Livestock
7.
Al-Araf The Elevations
8.
Al-Anfal The Spoils
9.
At-Tawbah The Repentance
10.
Yunus Jonah
11.
Hud Hud
12.
Yusuf Joseph
13.
Ar-Raad Thunder
14.
Ibrahim Abraham
15.
Al-Hijr The Rock
16.
An-Nahl The Bee
17.
Al-Isra The Night Journey
18.
Al-Kahf The Cave
19.
Maryam Mary
20.
Ta-Ha Ta-Ha
21.
Al-Anbiya The Prophets
22.
Al-Hajj The Pilgrimage
23.
Al-Muminune The Believers
24.
An-Nur The Light
25.
Al Furqane The Criterion
26.
As-Shuaraa The Poets
27.
An-Naml The Ant
28.
Al-Qasas History
29.
Al-Ankabut The Spider
30.
Ar-Rum The Romans
31.
Luqman Luqman
32.
As-Sajda The Prostration
33.
Al-Ahzab The Confederates
34.
Saba Sheba
35.
Fatir Originator
36.
Yassine (Yas-Sin) Ya Seen
37.
As-Saffat The Aligners
38.
Sad Saad
39.
Az-Zumar Throngs
40.
Gafir The Forgiver
41.
Fussilat Detailed
42.
Ash Shura Consultation
43.
Azzukhruf Decorations
44.
Ad-Dukhan Smoke
45.
Al-Jathya Kneeling
46.
Al-Ahqaf The Dunes
47.
Muhammad Muhammad
48.
Al-Fath Victory
49.
Al-Hujurat The Chambers
50.
Qaf Qaf
51.
Ad-Dariyat The Spreaders
52.
At-Tur The Mount
53.
An-Najm The Star
54.
Al-Qamar The Moon
55.
Ar-Rahman The Compassionate
56.
Al-Waqi'a The Inevitable
57.
Al-Hadid Iron
58.
Al-Mujadalah The Argument
59.
Al-Hasr The Mobilization
60.
Al-Mumtahanah The Woman Tested
61.
As-Saff Column
62.
Al-Jumua Friday
63.
Al-Munafiqun The Hypocrites
64.
At-Tagabun Gathering
65.
At-Talaq Divorce
66.
At-Tahrim Prohibition
67.
Al-Mulk Sovereignty
68.
Al-Qalam The Pen
69.
Al-Haqqah The Reality
70.
Al-Maarij Ways of Ascent
71.
Nuh Noah
72.
Al-Jinn The Jinn
73.
Al-Muzzamil The Enwrapped
74.
Al-Muddattir The Enrobed
75.
Al-Qiyamah Resurrection
76.
Al-Insan Man
77.
Al-Mursalate The Unleashed
78.
An-Naba The Event
79.
An-Naziate The Snatchers
80.
Abasa He Frowned
81.
At-Takwir The Rolling
82.
Al-Infitar The Shattering
83.
Al-Mutaffifin The Defrauders
84.
Al-Insiqaq The Rupture
85.
Al-Buruj The Constellations
86.
At-Tariq The Nightly Visitor
87.
Al-Ala The Most High
88.
Al-Gasiyah The Overwhelming
89.
Al-Fajr The Dawn
90.
Al-Balad The Land
91.
Ach-Chams The Sun
92.
Al-Layl The Night
93.
Ad-Duha Morning Light
94.
Ash-Sarh The Soothing
95.
At-Tin The Fig
96.
Al-Alaq Clot
97.
Al-Qadr Decree
98.
Al-Bayyinah Clear Evidence
99.
Az-Zalzalah The Quake
100.
Al-Adiyate The Racers
101.
Al-Qariah The Shocker
102.
At-Takatur Abundance
103.
Al-Asr Time
104.
Al-Humazah The Backbiter
105.
Al-Fil The Elephant
106.
Coraïsh Quraish
107.
Almaun Assistance
108.
Al-Kawtar The Plenty
109.
Al-Kafirune The Disbelievers
110.
An-Nasr Victory
111.
Al-Masad Thorns
112.
Al-Ikhlas Monotheism
113.
Al-Falaq Daybreak
114.
An-Nas Mankind
Surah Al-Balad

The Land

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