Surah Al-Balad

Introduction

It is Meccan according to the majority of scholars in its entirety. It has been said that it is Medinan in its entirety, and it has been said that it is Medinan except for the first four verses. Both of these latter views are challenged by the fact that the statement of the Almighty, "in this city" (bi-hadha al-balad), refutes them. It is said that due to the strength of this objection, al-Zamakhshari claimed there is a consensus regarding its Meccan origin. It will be mentioned, Allah willing, that in some reports there is evidence that indicates its beginning was revealed in Mecca after the Conquest. It consists of twenty verses without dispute.

When the Almighty condemned in the preceding Surah those who love wealth, devour the inheritance greedily, and do not encourage the feeding of the poor, He, Glory be to Him, mentions herein the qualities required of the possessor of wealth: the freeing of a slave and feeding on a day of severe hunger. Similarly, just as He, the Exalted, mentioned the "reassured soul" (al-nafs al-mutma'inna) there, He mentions here some of that through which such reassurance is attained. Thus, He, the Almighty, said:

"I swear by this city" (90:1): The Glorified One swears by the Sacred City, meaning Mecca, for it is what is intended by the referent by consensus, as well as that which is conjoined to it.

"We have certainly created man into hardship" (90:4): Immersed in the struggle of enduring hardships and suffering afflictions.