Surah Al Balad Read in Arabic with English translation, transliteration, tafseer (Ibn Kathir) & lessons.

Surah Al Balad Read in Arabic with English translation, transliteration, tafseer (Ibn Kathir) & lessons.

Surah Al Balad

Meaning: “Al-Balad” means “The City,” referring to the sacred city of Makkah.

Background: This Makki Surah was revealed when the Prophet ﷺ was facing strong opposition in Makkah. Allah swears by the sacred city and reminds mankind that life itself is a test filled with struggle.

Central Message: True success lies in choosing the difficult path — freeing slaves, feeding the poor, and standing firm in faith and patience.

Ayah by Ayah (Arabic, Transliteration, Translation)

Full Surah English Translation

(1) I swear by this city –

(2) And you, [O Muhammad], are free of restriction in this city –

(3) And [by] the father and that which was born [of him],

(4) We have certainly created man into hardship.

(5) Does he think that never will anyone overcome him?

(6) He says, “I have spent wealth in abundance.”

(7) Does he think that no one has seen him?

(8) Have We not made for him two eyes?

(9) And a tongue and two lips?

(10) And have shown him the two ways?

(11) But he has not broken through the difficult pass.

(12) And what can make you know what is the difficult pass?

(13) It is the freeing of a slave

(14) Or feeding on a day of severe hunger

(15) An orphan of near relationship

(16) Or a needy person in misery

(17) And then being among those who believed and advised one another to patience and compassion.

(18) Those are the companions of the right.

(19) But those who disbelieved are the companions of the left.

(20) Over them will be fire closed in.

Full Surah English Transliteration

(1) Laa uqsimu bihaazal-balad

(2) Wa anta hillum bihaazal-balad

(3) Wa waalidiw wa maa walad

(4) Laqad khalaqnal-insaana fee kabad

(5) Ayahsubu al-lay yaqdera ‘alaihi ahad

(6) Yaqoolu ahlaktu maalan lubadaa

(7) Ayahsubu al-lam yarahu ahad

(8) Alam naj‘al lahu ‘aynayn

(9) Wa lisaananw wa shafatayn

(10) Wa hadaynaahun-najdayn

(11) Falaa iqtaHamal-‘aqabah

(12) Wa maa adraaka mal-‘aqabah

(13) Fakku raqabah

(14) Aw it‘aamun fee yawmin zee masghabah

(15) Yateeman zaa maqrabah

(16) Aw miskeenan zaa matrabah

(17) Thumma kaana minal-ladheena aamanoo wa tawaasaw bis-sabri wa tawaasaw bil-marhamah

(18) Ulaaa’ika ashaabul-maymanah

(19) Walladheena kafaroo bi aayaatinaa hum ashaabul-mash’amah

(20) ‘Alayhim naarum mu’sadah

Tafseer (Ibn Kathir – Detailed Explanation)

Ibn Kathir explains that Allah swears by the sacred city of Makkah to honor it and to highlight the hardship faced by the Prophet ﷺ there. “We have certainly created man into hardship” means that human life is a constant struggle from birth to death.

The verses criticize arrogance. A person boasts about wealth, thinking no one sees him. Allah reminds him that He gave him eyes, tongue, and guidance to choose between good and evil.

The “difficult pass” (Al-‘Aqabah) represents righteous deeds that require sacrifice. Ibn Kathir explains that freeing slaves, feeding the hungry, helping orphans, and supporting the needy are among the highest forms of worship because they require effort and sincerity.

True righteousness is not just charity it must be accompanied by faith, patience, and mercy. Those who combine belief with compassion are the companions of the right. Those who reject Allah’s signs will face a Fire sealed over them intense and inescapable punishment.

Benefits & Lessons

1. Life is a Test of Struggle: Hardship is part of human existence. Understanding this builds patience and resilience instead of complaint.

2. Wealth is Not Success: Spending money arrogantly does not guarantee salvation. True success is using wealth for righteous causes.

3. Choose the Difficult Good: The path to Jannah requires effort — helping others, freeing the oppressed, and standing firm in faith.

4. Faith + Action: Islam combines belief with social responsibility. Compassion and patience are essential qualities of believers.

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