فَلَا ٱقْتَحَمَ ٱلْعَقَبَةَ 11
Translations
But he has not broken through the difficult pass.
Transliteration
Fa-lā iqtahama al-ʿaqabah
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah expresses regret or a rhetorical question about why someone did not undertake 'the steep path' (al-ʿaqabah), which refers to the difficult spiritual journey of liberation and righteousness. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as a reproach to those who fail to engage in the struggle against their base desires and social injustice, particularly freeing enslaved people and caring for the poor and orphans. The 'steep path' symbolizes the challenging but necessary acts of charity, mercy, and moral courage required of believers.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Balad was revealed in Mecca during the early Meccan period and addresses fundamental spiritual and moral duties. This ayah comes within a passage discussing the characteristics of righteous believers versus those who neglect their obligations, emphasizing that true faith requires difficult moral action and sacrifice.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best of people are those who are most beneficial to others' (Musnad Ahmad). Additionally, the hadith regarding visiting the poor and needy emphasizes the steep path of compassion mentioned here.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that true faith is not passive belief but active engagement in difficult moral work—freeing the oppressed, caring for the vulnerable, and standing against injustice—which requires courage and sacrifice from every believer regardless of personal cost.