Verily We have created man into toil and struggle Thinketh he, that none hath power over him? He may say (boastfully); Wealth have I squandered in abundance! Thinketh he that none beholdeth him? Have We not made for him a pair of eyes?- And a tongue, and a pair of lips?- And shown him the two highways? But he hath made no haste on the path that is steep. And what will explain to thee the path that is steep?- (It is:) freeing a person in bondage; Or the giving of food in a day of privation To the orphan with claims of relationship, Or to the indigent (down) in the dust. Then will he be of those who believe, and enjoin patience, (constancy, and self- restraint), and enjoin deeds of kindness and compassion. Such are the Companions of the Right Hand. (90:4-17)

Commentary:

The subject of these verses from Surah Balad (or City) is the acts which make an individual or group successful.

It first tells us about human nature that:

• All of us are in a state of struggle and toil in this world;
• For some of us, riches of life create an illusion of being independent and that nobody is watching over them;
• As a result they are boastful about their riches;
• But there is no success in this false sense of independence;
• Instead all of us are given faculties to observe and rationalize;
• And choose between two different paths, one to success and other to failure, but
• We do not take the difficult path of success.

It then tells us what is the path to success and why it is difficult. It requires us:

• To perform good deeds i.e. to free a man from bondage or to feed orphans and poor, and
• Cooperate with other individuals who believe and do similar good deeds and who enjoin patience and compassion to each other.

In summary success have three ingredients:

• faith in God and
• good deeds,
• cooperation with fellow human beings who share similar values.