Surah “The City, This Countryside”

as rendered by Irving & Mohamed Hegab — 20 verses

90:1
I swear by [this] countryside (Mecca),
90:2
you are a native settled on this land
90:3
as well as any parent and whatever he may father.
90:4
We have created man under stress.
90:5
Does he think that no one can do anything against him?
90:6
He says: "I have used up piles of money!"
90:7
Does he consider that no one sees him?
90:8
Have We not granted him both eyes,
90:9
a tongue and two lips,
90:10
and guided him along both highroads [good and evil]?
90:11
Yet he does not tackle the [road with] Obstacle!
90:12
What will make you realize what the Obstacle is?
90:13
[It means] redeeming the captive,
90:14
or feeding on a day of hunger
90:15
some orphaned relative on a day of famine
90:16
or some needy person in distress.
90:17
Then he will act like someone who believes, recommends patience and encourages mercifulness.
90:18
Those will be the companions on the right-hand side,
90:19
while the ones who disbelieve in Our signs will be companions on the sinister side:
90:20
above them a fire will hem them in