سُوْرَةُ الْبَلَدِ

Surah Al-Balad (90) — Ayah 12

The City · Meccan · Juz 30 · Page 594

وَمَآ أَدْرَىٰكَ مَا ٱلْعَقَبَةُ ﴿12﴾
And what will make you know the path that is steep?
وَمَآ wamā And what
أَدْرَىٰكَ adrāka can make you know
مَا what
ٱلْعَقَبَةُ l-ʿaqabatu the steep path (is)

Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

(Ayah 13,12) {وَ مَاۤ اَدْرٰىكَ مَا الْعَقَبَةُ … :} What is the difficult path that leads the wealthy to heights? It is freeing a neck, because there is no humiliation greater than slavery, and there is no kindness greater than granting freedom. Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: [ لَا يَجْزِيْ وَلَدٌ وَالِدًا إِلَّا أَنْ يَّجِدَهُ مَمْلُوْكًا فَيَشْتَرِيَهُ فَيُعْتِقَهُ] [ مسلم، العتق، باب فضل عتق الوالد : ۱۵۱۰ ] "No child can repay his father except that he finds him in a state of slavery and buys him and sets him free." There is another virtue in freeing a neck; Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: [ مَنْ أَعْتَقَ رَقَبَةً مُّؤْمِنَةً أَعْتَقَ اللّٰهُ بِكُلِّ عُضْوٍ مِّنْهُ عُضْوًا مِّنَ النَّارِ حَتّٰی يُعْتِقَ فَرْجَهُ بِفَرْجِهٖ ] [ مسلم، العتق، باب فضل العتق : ۲۳ /۱۵۰۹ ] "Whoever frees a believing Muslim neck, Allah will free each of his limbs from the Fire in exchange for each of the freed person's limbs, even his private part in exchange for the freed person's private part." Freeing a neck includes not only freeing a slave, but also securing the release of someone unjustly detained and relieving someone of debt that is burdening him.

Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

The exegesis of this verse has been done along with the previous verse.

Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

12. And what will make you know what the steep path [10] is?

[10] This pass actually refers to moral heights, and the path to ascend them is difficult in the sense that such paths are generally against human desires and are unpleasant and burdensome for one's nature.