Commentary · Quran
Surah 90: The CityThe City
If you don’t know me, my name is Rachel, and these are my scripture notes on the Quran. The ayat are presented sequentially in English and Arabic, followed by my commentary. Think of it as a living midrash: whenever I learn something new, I add a note. My notes draw from an eclectic range of ancient sources, both Jewish and Gentile. See my about page for more.
I’ve used Mohammed Marmaduke Pickthall’s 1930 translation of the Quran’s meanings since it’s both public domain and very pretty.
Surah 90: The City, This Countrysideسُورَةُ البَلَدِ
1Nay, I swear by this city - 2And thou art an indweller of this city - 3And the begetter and that which he begat, 4We verily have created man in an atmosphere: 5Thinketh he that none hath power over him? 6And he saith: I have destroyed vast wealth: 7Thinketh he that none beholdeth him? 8Did We not assign unto him two eyes 9And a tongue and two lips, 10And guide him to the parting of the mountain ways? 11But he hath not attempted the Ascent - 12Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Ascent is! - 13(It is) to free a slave, 14And to feed in the day of hunger. 15An orphan near of kin, 16Or some poor wretch in misery, 17And to be of those who believe and exhort one another to perseverance and exhort one another to pity. 18Their place will be on the right hand. 19But those who disbelieve Our revelations, their place will be on the left hand. 20Fire will be an awning over them.
1بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ لَآ أُقْسِمُ بِهَٰذَا ٱلْبَلَدِ 2وَأَنتَ حِلٌّۢ بِهَٰذَا ٱلْبَلَدِ 3وَوَالِدٍۢ وَمَا وَلَدَ 4لَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ فِى كَبَدٍ 5أَيَحْسَبُ أَن لَّن يَقْدِرَ عَلَيْهِ أَحَدٌۭ 6يَقُولُ أَهْلَكْتُ مَالًۭا لُّبَدًا 7أَيَحْسَبُ أَن لَّمْ يَرَهُۥٓ أَحَدٌ 8أَلَمْ نَجْعَل لَّهُۥ عَيْنَيْنِ 9وَلِسَانًۭا وَشَفَتَيْنِ 10وَهَدَيْنَٰهُ ٱلنَّجْدَيْنِ 11فَلَا ٱقْتَحَمَ ٱلْعَقَبَةَ 12وَمَآ أَدْرَىٰكَ مَا ٱلْعَقَبَةُ 13فَكُّ رَقَبَةٍ 14أَوْ إِطْعَٰمٌۭ فِى يَوْمٍۢ ذِى مَسْغَبَةٍۢ 15يَتِيمًۭا ذَا مَقْرَبَةٍ 16أَوْ مِسْكِينًۭا ذَا مَتْرَبَةٍۢ 17ثُمَّ كَانَ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَتَوَاصَوْا۟ بِٱلصَّبْرِ وَتَوَاصَوْا۟ بِٱلْمَرْحَمَةِ 18أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَٰبُ ٱلْمَيْمَنَةِ 19وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا هُمْ أَصْحَٰبُ ٱلْمَشْـَٔمَةِ 20عَلَيْهِمْ نَارٌۭ مُّؤْصَدَةٌۢ
Cited in Philemon 1:13–16