Revealed in Makkah, Surah Al-Balad (The City) starts with an oath by the city of Makkah, reminding humanity that they were created for constant struggle. It criticizes those who boast of their wealth and believe no one has power over them. The chapter outlines the steep path of righteousness: freeing captives, feeding the hungry during famine, and caring for orphans and the poor, defining the companions of the right hand.
Transliteration
La oqsimu bihatha albaladi
Translation
I swear by this land
God swears an oath by the sacred city of Mecca, the spiritual birthplace of Abrahamic monotheism.
Transliteration
Waanta hillun bihatha albaladi
Translation
And you are a resident of this land
Acknowledges the Prophet's ﷺ residence in Mecca and historically foretells the Conquest of Mecca, when the prohibition on combat in the sanctuary was lifted for him for a single hour of daylight to peacefully clear the Ka'bah of idols.
Transliteration
Wawalidin wama walada
Translation
And by a father and what he fathered
God swears an oath by the noble father and his offspring—specifically Adam and all his human descendants, or Abraham and his righteous prophetic line of Ishmael and Isaac.
Transliteration
Laqad khalaqna alinsana fee kabadin
Translation
We created man in distress
A foundational psychological observation on the human condition: 'We have certainly created man into struggle/toil' ('Fi Kabad'). Life on Earth is intentionally designed as a continuous series of physical, emotional, and social hurdles—from the pains of infancy and growth to adult labor, aging, and mortality—demanding resilience and character.
Transliteration
Ayahsabu an lan yaqdira AAalayhi ahadun
Translation
Does he think that no one has power over him
Transliteration
Yaqoolu ahlaktu malan lubadan
Translation
He says, “I have used up so much money.”
Exposes the hypocrisy of wealthy Meccan chieftains (such as al-Harith ibn Nawfal): they would publicly boast of squandering mountains of wealth ('Malal-lubada') on vanity banquets and tribal prestige, yet refused to spend a single coin to help starving widows and orphans.
Transliteration
Ayahsabu an lam yarahu ahadun
Translation
Does he think that no one sees him
Transliteration
Alam najAAal lahu AAaynayni
Translation
Did We not give him two eyes
Transliteration
Walisanan washafatayni
Translation
And a tongue, and two lips
Transliteration
Wahadaynahu alnnajdayni
Translation
And We showed him the two ways
Transliteration
Fala iqtahama alAAaqabata
Translation
But he did not brave the ascent
Introduces the spiritual metaphor of 'Al-'Aqabah' (The Steep Uphill Pass): explains that true righteousness is not cheap verbal platitudes, but climbing a strenuous, steep moral mountain against one's own selfish instincts.
Transliteration
Wama adraka ma alAAaqabatu
Translation
And what will explain to you what the ascent is
Transliteration
Fakku raqabatin
Translation
The freeing of a slave
Defines the actions required to scale the steep uphill path: (1) emancipating bonded slaves and indebted captives ('Fakku Raqabah'), (2) feeding during times of severe economic famine and hunger ('Yawmin dhi Masghabah') an orphan relative, or (3) lifting up a destitute pauper living in the dust ('Miskinan dha Matrabah'), followed by mutual cultivation of patience and deep empathy ('Marhamah').
Transliteration
Aw itAAamun fee yawmin thee masghabatin
Translation
Or the feeding on a day of hunger
Transliteration
Yateeman tha maqrabatin
Translation
An orphan near of kin
Transliteration
Aw miskeenan tha matrabatin
Translation
Or a destitute in the dust
Transliteration
Thumma kana mina allatheena amanoo watawasaw bialssabri watawasaw bialmarhamati
Translation
Then he becomes of those who believe, and advise one another to patience, and advise one another to kindness
Transliteration
Olaika ashabu almaymanati
Translation
These are the people of happiness
Transliteration
Waallatheena kafaroo biayatina hum ashabu almashamati
Translation
But as for those who defy Our revelations—these are the people of misery
Transliteration
AAalayhim narun musadatun
Translation
Upon them is a padlocked Fire