Surah Balad Transliteration: Meaning, Tafseer, and Benefits

Surah Balad Transliteration: Meaning, Tafseer, and Benefits: Surah Al-Balad serves as the 90th chapter within the Quran, and it is known by the title “The City.” Walkers through Makkah received this Surah regarding challenging life circumstances and human accountability, and sequential blessings of persistence. The Surah uses its verses to teach important moral values and to emphasize three fundamental principles which include belief alongside generosity and humility. The permanent meaning behind this text guides people to think about life priorities and transform into agents of change.

The majority of scholars and interpreters have recognized Surah’s complete focus on personal responsibility. The text presents examinations of life as divine tests that ask believers to pursue positive moral actions. The Quran presents this understanding and it promotes charitable acts, including giving food to needy people as well as looking after orphans. The wisdom contained in it provides essential direction to those who want help managing difficult life situations.

The eternal success pathway opens through uniting resilience with good actions according to Surah Al-Balad. The moral reflections in the Surah guide believers in finding value and purpose in their existence. People can study Surah Al-Balad to learn its proper pronunciation alongside its inner meanings which bring positive messages to all believers.

About Surah Balad Transliteration

Name: Surah Al-Balad (The City).
Chapter Number: 90.
Revealed In: Mecca.
Number of Verses: 20 Ayahs.
Theme: The Surah emphasizes the struggles of human life, the importance of perseverance, and the moral responsibilities of believers. It contrasts the paths of righteousness and wickedness, highlighting the rewards of good deeds and the consequences of disbelief.

Attribute	Details
Name	Surah Al-Balad (The City)
Chapter Number	90
Revealed In	Mecca
Number of Verses	20 Ayahs
Theme	The struggles of human life, perseverance, moral responsibilities, and the contrast between righteousness and wickedness.
Key Messages	– Life is full of challenges. – Perseverance leads to success. – Charity and compassion are essential. – Rewards for good deeds and consequences for disbelief.

Tafseer (Interpretation) of Each Ayah

Ayah 1:

لَآ أُقۡسِمُ بِهَٰذَا ٱلۡبَلَدِ

Transliteration: Laa uqsimu bihaazal balad

Translation: I swear by this city, Makkah.

Urdu Translation: میں اس شہر (مکہ) کی قسم کھاتا ہوں۔
Tafseer: Allah begins by swearing an oath by the sacred city of Makkah, emphasizing its significance as the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and a center of worship.

Ayah 2:

وَأَنتَ حِلٌّۢ بِهَٰذَا ٱلۡبَلَدِ

Transliteration: Wa anta hillum bihaazal balad

Translation: And you, [O Muhammad], are free of restriction in this city.

Urdu Translation: اور (اے محمد ﷺ) آپ اس شہر میں آزاد ہیں۔
Tafseer: This verse refers to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) being granted permission to fight and defend himself in Makkah, a city where fighting was otherwise prohibited.

Ayah 3:

وَوَالِدٖ وَمَا وَلَدَ

Transliteration: Wa waalidinw wa maa walad

Translation: And [by] the father and that which was born [of him].

Urdu Translation: اور قسم ہے باپ کی اور اس کی اولاد کی۔
Tafseer: This refers to the lineage of humanity, starting from Prophet Adam (AS) and his descendants. It highlights the sanctity of human creation.

Ayah 4:

لَقَدۡ خَلَقۡنَا ٱلۡإِنسَٰنَ فِي كَبَدٍ

Transliteration: Laqad khalaqnal insaana fee kabad

Translation: We have certainly created man into hardship.

Urdu Translation: یقیناً ہم نے انسان کو مشقت میں پیدا کیا۔
Tafseer: Human life is inherently filled with struggles and challenges, but these trials are meant to test faith and resilience.

Ayah 5:

أَيَحۡسَبُ أَن لَّن يَقۡدِرَ عَلَيۡهِ أَحَدٌ

Transliteration: Ayahsabu al-lai yaqdira ‘alaihi ahad

Translation: Does he think that never will anyone overcome him?

Urdu Translation: کیا وہ یہ سمجھتا ہے کہ اس پر کوئی قابو نہیں پا سکتا؟

Tafseer: This verse criticizes arrogance, reminding humans that they are not invincible and are always under Allah’s watch.

Ayah 6:

يَقُولُ أَهۡلَكۡتُ مَالٗا لُّبَدًا

Transliteration: Yaqoolu ahlaktu maalal lubadaa

Translation: He says, “I have spent wealth in abundance.”

Urdu Translation: وہ کہتا ہے، “میں نے بہت سا مال خرچ کیا۔”
Tafseer: This mocks those who boast about their wealth and waste it on frivolous things, forgetting their responsibilities toward others.

Ayah 7:

أَيَحۡسَبُ أَن لَّمۡ يَرَهُۥٓ أَحَدٌ

Transliteration: Ayahsabu al lam yarahooo ahad

Translation: Does he think that no one has seen him?

Urdu Translation: کیا وہ یہ سمجھتا ہے کہ اسے کسی نے نہیں دیکھا؟
Tafseer: Allah reminds us that He sees everything, including our actions and intentions, even if we think we are unnoticed.

Ayah 8-9:

أَلَمۡ نَجۡعَل لَّهُۥ عَيۡنَيۡنِ وَ لِسَانٗا وَشَفَتَيۡنِ

Transliteration: Alam naj’al lahoo ‘aynayn wa lisaananw wa shafatayn

Translation: Have we not made for him two eyes, a tongue, and two lips?

Urdu Translation: کیا ہم نے اسے دو آنکھیں، ایک زبان اور دو ہونٹ نہیں دیے؟
Tafseer: Allah reminds humans of the blessings they have been given, such as sight, speech, and the ability to communicate.

Ayah 10:

وَهَدَيۡنَٰهُ ٱلنَّجۡدَيۡنِ

Transliteration: Wa hadaynaahun najdayn

Translation: And have you shown him the two ways?

Urdu Translation: اور ہم نے اسے دو راستے دکھائے۔
Tafseer: Allah has shown humans the two paths: the path of righteousness and the path of evil, leaving them to choose.

Ayah 11-12:

فَلَا ٱقۡتَحَمَ ٱلۡعَقَبَةَ وَمَآ أَدۡرَىٰكَ مَا ٱلۡعَقَبَةُ

Transliteration: Falaq tahamal-‘aqabah wa maaa adraaka mal’aqabah

Translation: But he has not broken through the difficult pass. And what can make you know what is breaking through the difficult pass?

Urdu Translation: لیکن اس نے دشوار گزار گھاٹی کو عبور نہیں کیا۔ اور آپ کو کیا معلوم کہ دشوار گزار گھاٹی کیا ہے؟
Tafseer: The “difficult path” refers to the challenges of doing good deeds, such as helping others and overcoming selfishness.

Ayah 13-16:

فَكُّ رَقَبَةٍ أَوۡ إِطۡعَٰمٞ فِي يَوۡمٖ ذِي مَسۡغَبَةٖ

Transliteration: Fakku raqabah aw it’aamun fee yawmin zee masghabah

Translation: It is the freeing of a slave or feeding on a day of severe hunger.

Urdu Translation: وہ غلام آزاد کرنا ہے یا بھوک کے دن کھانا کھلانا۔
Tafseer: These verses highlight acts of charity, such as freeing slaves, feeding the hungry, and helping orphans and the needy.

Ayah 17-18:

ثُمَّ كَانَ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَتَوَاصَوۡاْ بِٱلصَّبۡرِ وَتَوَاصَوۡاْ بِٱلۡمَرۡحَمَةِ

Transliteration: Summa kaana minal lazeena aamanoo wa tawaasaw bissabri wa tawaasaw bilmarhamah

Translation: And then being among those who believed and advised one another to patience and advised one another to compassion.

Urdu Translation: پھر وہ ان لوگوں میں سے ہو جو ایمان لائے اور ایک دوسرے کو صبر اور رحم کی نصیحت کرتے رہے۔
Tafseer: True believers are those who encourage patience and compassion, embodying the values of Islam.

Ayah 19-20:

أُوْلَـٰٓئِكَ أَصۡحَٰبُ ٱلۡمَيۡمَنَةِ وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا هُمۡ أَصۡحَٰبُ ٱلۡمَشۡـَٔمَةِ

Transliteration: Ulaaa’ika As-haabul maimanah wallazeena kafaroo bi aayaatinaa hum as-haabul Mash’amah

Translation: Those are the companions of the right. But they who disbelieved in Our signs – those are the companions of the left.

Urdu Translation: یہی لوگ دائیں طرف والے ہیں۔ اور جنہوں نے ہماری آیات کا انکار کیا، وہ بائیں طرف والے ہیں۔
Tafseer: The companions of the right are the righteous who will enter Paradise, while the companions of the left are the disbelievers destined for Hell.

Surah Balad Transliteration And English & Urdu Translation

Ayah	Arabic Text	Transliteration	English Translation	Urdu Translation	Tafseer
1	لَآ أُقۡسِمُ بِهَٰذَا ٱلۡبَلَدِ	Laa uqsimu bihaazal balad	I swear by this city, Makkah.	میں اس شہر (مکہ) کی قسم کھاتا ہوں۔	Allah swears by the sacred city of Makkah, emphasizing its significance as the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and a center of worship.
2	وَأَنتَ حِلٌّۢ بِهَٰذَا ٱلۡبَلَدِ	Wa anta hillum bihaazal balad	And you, [O Muhammad], are free of restriction in this city.	اور (اے محمد ﷺ) آپ اس شہر میں آزاد ہیں۔	Refers to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) being granted permission to fight and defend himself in Makkah, where fighting was otherwise prohibited.
3	وَوَالِدٖ وَمَا وَلَدَ	Wa waalidinw wa maa walad	And [by] the father and that which was born [of him].	اور قسم ہے باپ کی اور اس کی اولاد کی۔	Refers to the lineage of humanity, starting from Prophet Adam (AS) and his descendants, highlighting the sanctity of human creation.
4	لَقَدۡ خَلَقۡنَا ٱلۡإِنسَٰنَ فِي كَبَدٍ	Laqad khalaqnal insaana fee kabad	We have certainly created man into hardship.	یقیناً ہم نے انسان کو مشقت میں پیدا کیا۔	Human life is inherently filled with struggles and challenges, which are meant to test faith and resilience.
5	أَيَحۡسَبُ أَن لَّن يَقۡدِرَ عَلَيۡهِ أَحَدٌ	Ayahsabu al-lai yaqdira ‘alaihi ahad	Does he think that never will anyone overcome him?	کیا وہ یہ سمجھتا ہے کہ اس پر کوئی قابو نہیں پا سکتا؟	Criticizes arrogance, reminding humans that they are not invincible and are always under Allah’s watch.
6	يَقُولُ أَهۡلَكۡتُ مَالٗا لُّبَدًا	Yaqoolu ahlaktu maalal lubadaa	He says, “I have spent wealth in abundance.”	وہ کہتا ہے، “میں نے بہت سا مال خرچ کیا۔”	Mocks those who boast about their wealth and waste it on frivolous things, forgetting their responsibilities toward others.
7	أَيَحۡسَبُ أَن لَّمۡ يَرَهُۥٓ أَحَدٌ	Ayahsabu al lam yarahooo ahad	Does he think that no one has seen him?	کیا وہ یہ سمجھتا ہے کہ اسے کسی نے نہیں دیکھا؟	Allah reminds us that He sees everything, including our actions and intentions, even if we think we are unnoticed.
8-9	أَلَمۡ نَجۡعَل لَّهُۥ عَيۡنَيۡنِ وَ لِسَانٗا وَشَفَتَيۡنِ	Alam naj’al lahoo ‘aynayn wa lisaananw wa shafatayn	Have We not made for him two eyes, a tongue, and two lips?	کیا ہم نے اسے دو آنکھیں، ایک زبان اور دو ہونٹ نہیں دیے؟	Allah reminds humans of the blessings they have been given, such as sight, speech, and the ability to communicate.
10	وَهَدَيۡنَٰهُ ٱلنَّجۡدَيۡنِ	Wa hadaynaahun najdayn	And have shown him the two ways?	اور ہم نے اسے دو راستے دکھائے۔	Allah has shown humans the two paths: the path of righteousness and the path of evil, leaving them to choose.
11-12	فَلَا ٱقۡتَحَمَ ٱلۡعَقَبَةَ وَمَآ أَدۡرَىٰكَ مَا ٱلۡعَقَبَةُ	Falaq tahamal-‘aqabah wa maaa adraaka mal’aqabah	But he has not broken through the difficult pass. And what can make you know what is breaking through the difficult pass?	لیکن اس نے دشوار گزار گھاٹی کو عبور نہیں کیا۔ اور آپ کو کیا معلوم کہ دشوار گزار گھاٹی کیا ہے؟	The “difficult pass” refers to the challenges of doing good deeds, such as helping others and overcoming selfishness.
13-16	فَكُّ رَقَبَةٍ أَوۡ إِطۡعَٰمٞ فِي يَوۡمٖ ذِي مَسۡغَبَةٖ	Fakku raqabah aw it’aamun fee yawmin zee masghabah	It is the freeing of a slave or feeding on a day of severe hunger.	وہ غلام آزاد کرنا ہے یا بھوک کے دن کھانا کھلانا۔	Highlights acts of charity, such as freeing slaves, feeding the hungry, and helping orphans and the needy.
17-18	ثُمَّ كَانَ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَتَوَاصَوۡاْ بِٱلصَّبۡرِ وَتَوَاصَوۡاْ بِٱلۡمَرۡحَمَةِ	Summa kaana minal lazeena aamanoo wa tawaasaw bissabri wa tawaasaw bilmarhamah	And then being among those who believed and advised one another to patience and advised one another to compassion.	پھر وہ ان لوگوں میں سے ہو جو ایمان لائے اور ایک دوسرے کو صبر اور رحم کی نصیحت کرتے رہے۔	True believers are those who encourage patience and compassion, embodying the values of Islam.
19-20	أُوْلَـٰٓئِكَ أَصۡحَٰبُ ٱلۡمَيۡمَنَةِ وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا هُمۡ أَصۡحَٰبُ ٱلۡمَشۡـَٔمَةِ	Ulaaa’ika As-haabul maimanah wallazeena kafaroo bi aayaatinaa hum as-haabul Mash’amah	Those are the companions of the right. But they who disbelieved in Our signs – those are the companions of the left.	یہی لوگ دائیں طرف والے ہیں۔ اور جنہوں نے ہماری آیات کا انکار کیا، وہ بائیں طرف والے ہیں۔	The companions of the right are the righteous who will enter Paradise, while the companions of the left are the disbelievers destined for Hell.

Benefits of Surah Al-Balad

Reminder of Life’s Struggles:

It teaches that hardships are part of life and encourages perseverance.

Encourages Charity:

Highlights the importance of helping the less fortunate, such as orphans and the needy.

Spiritual Growth:

Reflecting on its verses fosters humility, gratitude, and self-improvement.

Moral Guidance:

It emphasizes the importance of choosing the path of righteousness over evil.

When and How to Recite Surah Al-Balad

When:

It can be recited during daily prayers (Salah) or at any time for reflection and spiritual growth.

How:

Recite with proper Tajweed (pronunciation) and reflect on its meaning. Listening to skilled reciters can help improve your recitation.