Names
This surah is called Surat Al-Balad. [520] See: Al-Fayruzabadi: Basa?ir Dhawi At-Tamyiz, 1/520.
Makki or Madani?
Surat Al-Balad is Makki; more than one of the commentators narrated that there was consensus regarding that. [521] Those who narrated that there was consensus regarding that include: Ibn Al-Jawzi and Al-Qurtubi. See: Tafsir Ibn Al-Jawzi, 4/446; Tafsir Al-Qurtubi, 20/59.
Objectives
The most important objectives of this surah include:
Mentioning the nature of this world and what man suffers in it of hardships and what will lead him to happiness. [522] See: Al-Biqa?i: Nazm Ad-Durar, 22/45; At-Tantawi: At-Tafsir Al-Wasit, 15/401.
Topics of the surah??????
The most significant topics addressed in Surat Al-Balad include:
Highlighting the sublime status of Makkah.
What man is tested with in this world of hardship and toil.
Criticism of being deceived by power and boasting about worldly accumulation.
Listing the blessings that Allah (%) bestows on man.
Urging the Muslim to persist in doing good and rectifying himself.
Highlighting the good fate of the believers and the bad fate of the disbelievers.