The Qur'an Surah 90: The City

The following is from a work-in-progress called The Qur'an: a Book Report, in which I read each surah of the Qur'an and write about what I learn.

This surah states some fundamental ethical concepts, urging people to follow the difficult path of right behavior: "To free a slave, to feed at a time of hunger and orphaned relative or a poor person in distress, and to be one of those who believe and urge one another to steadfastness and compassion."  The title refers to the city of Mecca, where Muhammad first preached these ethical concepts.