Bayian: The Noble Quran Introduction to Tafsir of Surah al-Balad

Thursday, March 17, 2022

The Noble Quran Introduction to Tafsir of Surah al-Balad

The Noble Quran English Tafsir of Surah al-Balad

Name of the Surah

This surah is called al-Balad ‘the city’ because Allah swears by the city of Makkah at the beginning of the surah. 90:1 I swear by this city,

Relationship between Surah al-Fajr and Surah al-Balad

According to the written copy of the Quran, al-Mushaf, surah al-Fajr comes before surah al-Balad. In Surah al-Fajr, Allah severely criticizes those who ardently love wealth, devour wealth without distinguishing between the lawful and the unlawful, and do not urge one another to feed the needy. Then, He, Exalted be He, mentions things required that the owner of wealth should do, e.g. freeing the slaves and feeding the needy.

Surah al-Fajr is concluded by referring to the soul that is at peace, and at the end of surah al-Balad, it is mentioned means for attaining tranquility and peace and warned of causes that lead to worry and anxiety.

Main Topics Discussed in Surah al-Balad

• The main theme of surah al-Balad is discussing causes leading man to happiness or misery and the method that he should use to choose the right path.

• Surah al-Balad begins by swearing by the inviolable city, Makkah. The oath indicates its sanctity and high rank with Allah. The swearing is to confirm that man lives in a state of suffering and toiling in this world.

• This surah mentions that man is usually deceived by his power and wealth, which makes him believe that no one can defeat him.

• Then it mentions some of Allah’s blessings on man, e.g. Allah has given man two eyes, the tongue, and two lips. Allah has shown man the path of guidance and misguidance and has given him the freedom to choose which path to follow; however, he will bear the consequences of his choice.

• Surah al-Balad refers to some of the horrors of the Day of Judgment and mentions that man can successfully pass through those horrors by believing in Allah’s Oneness and performing righteous deeds for Allah’s sake.

• Finally, surah al-Balad mentions that the believers believe in Allah’s Oneness, adhere to patience, and advise one another to be merciful, which will cause them, by Allah’s bounty, to enter Paradise. It also mentions that the disbelievers disbelieve in Allah’s Oneness, which will cause them to enter Hell and suffer its lasting punishment.