English Tafsir (Al-Sa‘di):

Allah swears by this secure and honoured city, Makkah, magnifying its status and the blessing of safety and sanctity placed within it.

Allah’s oath by Makkah shows its virtue and the greatness of what follows.

English Tafsir (Ibn Kathir):

Since Al-Sa‘di has no recorded tafsir for this verse on the official KSU website,
we use here the explanation of Ibn Kathir instead.
He explains that Allah mentions the Prophet ﷺ being made ḥill in this city,
meaning that fighting in Makkah was made permissible for him for a short time
on the day of its conquest, while the city remains a sacred sanctuary before
and after that.

Source: Tafsir Ibn Kathir on KSU (Surah 90, Ayah 2)

Allah granted His Messenger ﷺ a special, temporary permission in this sacred city
that does not apply to others, while its inviolability remains in place.

English Tafsir (Al-Sa‘di):

Allah also swears by the begetter and all whom he begot, meaning Adam and his offspring, indicating the honour of the human race.

An oath by mankind’s father and his descendants to stress the coming message.

English Tafsir (Al-Sa‘di):

Indeed, Allah created the human being in toil and struggle, facing difficulties in this world and the Hereafter, so he must strive in obedience to find true ease.

Human life is naturally full of effort and hardship.

English Tafsir (Al-Sa‘di):

Does this arrogant person think that no one has power over him, so he feels secure and acts without fear of accountability?

A false assumption that no one can ever overpower or call him to account.

English Tafsir (Al-Sa‘di):

He boasts, saying that he has spent vast amounts of wealth, wasting it in desires and showing off, not in obedience to Allah.

Boasting about squandered wealth is a sign of pride and heedlessness.

English Tafsir (Al-Sa‘di):

Does he imagine that no one sees him, forgetting that Allah watches his spending, his intentions, and all of his actions?

A reminder that Allah’s knowledge and sight encompass everything he does.

English Tafsir (Al-Sa‘di):

Allah reminds him of the gifts He gave: two eyes by which he sees benefits and harms, a clear proof of Allah’s mercy.

Vision itself is a sign and blessing requiring gratitude.

English Tafsir (Al-Sa‘di):

He was also given a tongue and two lips, enabling clear speech, remembrance, and communication with people.

These faculties should be used in truth and obedience.

English Tafsir (Al-Sa‘di):

Allah showed him the two clear paths: the way of good and guidance, and the way of evil and misguidance, through revelation and inner awareness.

The human being is not left without direction; both routes are made evident.

English Tafsir (Al-Sa‘di):

Yet he did not strive to climb the steep path: the difficult way of obedience and self-discipline that leads to Allah’s pleasure.

The true challenge is to force the soul through the hard road of righteousness.

English Tafsir (Al-Sa‘di):

Allah magnifies the steep path and draws attention to its greatness by asking what will make you truly know what it is.

A rhetorical question to prepare the heart for its description.

English Tafsir (Al-Sa‘di):

The steep path is, first, freeing a slave, rescuing a neck from bondage for the sake of Allah.

Liberating the oppressed is among the highest forms of charity.

English Tafsir (Al-Sa‘di):

Or feeding people on a day of severe hunger, when food is scarce and people are in great need.

Charity at times of hardship is more perfect and rewarded.

English Tafsir (Al-Sa‘di):

That feeding is especially virtuous when it is given to an orphan who is near in kin, combining the right of kinship with the right of need.

Supporting a related orphan gathers multiple rewards.

English Tafsir (Al-Sa‘di):

Or a destitute poor person clinging to the dust, who owns nothing and lives in extreme need.

Helping the most deprived and humiliated is part of this steep path.

English Tafsir (Al-Sa‘di):

Then, along with these deeds, he is one of those who believe, and who encourage one another to be patient and to show mercy.

Faith, patience, and compassion together complete the steep path.

English Tafsir (Al-Sa‘di):

Those people are the companions of the right, the people of success and happiness with Allah.

Their record and place are on the side of honour and blessing.

English Tafsir (Al-Sa‘di):

As for those who disbelieve in Our signs, reject faith, and turn away from these qualities, they are the companions of the left.

Their end is misfortune and loss.

English Tafsir (Al-Sa‘di):

Upon them is a Fire closed in on every side, whose doors are shut so that they cannot escape its punishment.

A sealed, inescapable blaze for the people of the left.

Summary of the Meanings:

Allah swears by Makkah and by Adam and his offspring, then reminds man that he was created in hardship and is always under Allah’s power and sight.

Eyes, tongue, lips and guidance to the two ways are great favours, yet many people refuse to climb the steep path of freeing slaves and feeding the needy.

The people of the right combine faith, patience, and mercy; the people of the left disbelieve and neglect these qualities, so a sealed Fire awaits them.