This is an early Meccan revelation, and refers to the mystic relation (by divine sanction) of the holy Prophet with the city of Mecca. He was born in that City, which had already been sacred for ages before. He was nurtured in that City and had (to use a modern phrase) the freedom of that City, belonging, as he did, to the noble family which held the government of its sacred precincts in its hands. But he was an orphan, and orphans in his day had a poor time. But his mind was turned to things divine. He protested against the prevailing idolatry and sin, and his parent City persecuted him and cast him out. He made another City, Yathrib, his own: It became the Madinat-un-Nabi, the City of the Prophet, and it has ever since been called Medina. We can speak of Medina as the Prophet's child. But the Prophet ever cherished in his heart the love of his parent City of Mecca, and in the fullness of time was received in triumph there. He purified it from all idols and abominations, reestablished the worship of the One True Allah, overthrew the purse proud selfish autocracy, restored the sway of the righteous (people of the Right Hand), the liberty of the slave, and the rights of the downtrodden. What a wonderful career centering round a City? It becomes a symbol of the world's spiritual history.
C.270-(Verses 1 to 20)-The Prophet's own City persecuted him. Honored by his nativity, it sought to slay him: Yet he loved it and purged it of all that was wrong. What toil and struggle did it not involve? Man is made for toil and struggle: Let him not boast of ease and wealth. He will be called to account for all his doings. Let him use his Allah-given faculties, and tread the steep path that leads to Heaven's Heights: The steps thereto are Love, unselfish Love, given freely to Allah's creatures -- all those in need -- and Faith in Allah, and Patience joined with self-restraint and kindness. Thus only can we reach the ranks of the blest Companions of the Right Hand!
90:1 SURA 90. Balad, or The City. In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. I do call to witness this City; --
90:2 And thou art a freeman of this City; --
90:3 And (the mystic ties of) Parent and Child; --
90:4 Verily We have created man to toil and struggle.
90:5 Thinketh he, that none hath power over him?
90:6 He may say (boastfully):" Wealth have I squandered in abundance!"
90:7 Thinketh he that none beholdeth him?
90:8 Have We not made for him a pair of eyes? --
90:9 And a tongue, and a pair of lips? --
90:10 And shown him the two highways?
90:11 But he hath made no haste on the path that is steep.
90:12 And what will explain to thee the path that is steep? --
90:13 (It
is:) Freeing the bondman;
90:14 Or the giving of food in a day of privation
90:15 To the orphan with claims of relationship,
90:16 Or to the indigent (down) in the dust.
90:17 Then will he be of those who believe, and enjoin patience, (constancy, and self-restraint), and enjoin deeds of kindness and compassion.
90:18 Such are the Companions of the Right Hand.
90:19 But those who reject Our Signs, they are the (unhappy) Companions of the Left Hand.
90:20 On them will be Fire vaulted over (all round).
