Surah Al-Balad
وَوَالِدٍۢ وَمَا وَلَدَ
“And [by] the father and that which was born [of him],”
Translation: Saheeh International
Reflection — Ibn Kathir
Swearing by the Sanctity of Makkah and Other Things that Man was created in Hardship
Here Allah has sworn by Makkah, the Mother of the Towns, addressing its resident (during the non-sacred months,) free in this city in order to draw his attention to the significance of its sanctity when its people are in the state of sanctity. Khusayf reported from Mujahid;
لاَ أُقْسِمُ بِهَـذَا الْبَلَدِ
Reflection — Maarif ul Quran
وَوَالِدٍ وَمَا وَلَدَ (and by the father and that which he begot,...90:3) The word walid refers to Holy Prophet 'Adam (علیہ السلام) the father of mankind, and the phrase مَا وَلَدَ 'that which he begot' refers to his children from the inception of the world to the end of the world. Thus this phrase swears an oath by Holy Prophet 'Adam (علیہ السلام) and all his children. The subject of the oath follows next, thus:
What does this verse bring up for you today?