About the Surah

In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.

I swear by this city (Makkah) [which is the place of birth and residence of Prophet Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him). Hence, it is a very esteemed city as also mentioned in Surah At-Tin:3].

You are the resident of this city (or, the fighting is made lawful for you in this city temporarily during the conquest of Makkah).

By the father (Adam) and his children.

Man is created to struggle through toil and trouble (Tabari).

Does man (i.e. the disbeliever) think that nobody can make him accountable?

He declares (boastfully): “I have spent a lot of wealth (in world-ly pursuits)!”

Does he think that none sees him? (i.e. Allah does not see him spending lavishly in sinful activities and, therefore, He will not punish him).

(Allah reminds about His Favours to man so that he should avoid sinful activities.) Have We not made for him two eyes (with which he can see),

And a tongue and two lips? (He speaks with the tongue and expresses his inner feelings. He makes use of lips for speaking and eating. And they add to the beauty of the face).

And We showed him two ways (good and evil).

So man did not follow the steep path yet (i.e. he has not yet struggled against the hardships which are necessary to avoid sin).

What do you know about that steep path?

(Some of those difficult tasks are) to free a slave.

Or giving food on a day of hunger (famine),

To an orphan who is a near relative.

Or to a needy who is sitting on dust (due to extreme poverty).

(By fulfilling these human obligations,) then you become one of those who believe, and motivate one another to remain patient and recommend one another to adhere to piety and compassion.

They are those on the Right Hand (i.e. the Residents of Paradise).

And those who disbelieve in Our revelations are on the Left Hand (i.e. the residents of Hell)

They will be shut in Hell-Fire which will be closed from all directions (to receive full intensity of heat and prevent them from running away).