‘Abasa | He Frowned
[80:1] He (the Prophet) frowned and turned his face,
[80:2] because the blind man came to him!
[80:3] What could tell you (O prophet about the prospects of the blind man?) Maybe, (if you had attended him properly,) he would have attained purity,
[80:4] or have received the advice, and the advice would have benefited him.
[80:5] As for the one who does not care (about faith),
[80:6] you are anxious to pursue him,
[80:7] while there is no blame on you, if he does not attain purity.
[80:8] As regards the one who has come to you rushing eagerly,
[80:9] while he fears (Allah),
[80:10] to him you pay no heed!
[80:11] Never! (you should never act in this way,) Indeed this (Qur‘an) is an advice.
[80:12] So, whoever so wills may pay heed to it.
[80:13] It is (recorded) in those scripts (of the Preserved Tablet) that are honoured,
[80:14] exalted, purified,
[80:15] in the hands of those scribes
[80:16] who are honorable, righteous.
[80:17] Damned is the man! How ungrateful he is!
[80:18] From which stuff did He (Allah) create him?
[80:19] from a drop of semen! He created him, and designed him in due proportion,
[80:20] then He made the way easy for him,
[80:21] Later, he made him die, and put him into grave,
[80:22] Thereafter, when He will intend, He will raise him up.
[80:23] No! He has not yet fulfilled what He (Allah) had commanded him.
[80:24] So, the man should consider his food,
[80:25] how well We poured water,
[80:26] then how nicely We split the earth,
[80:27] then We grew in it grain,
[80:28] and grapes and greens,
[80:29] and olive and date-palms,
[80:30] and gardens, full of thick trees,
[80:31] and fruits and fodder,
[80:32] as a benefit for you and your cattle.
[80:33] So when the Deafening Noise will occur,
[80:34] the Day when one will flee from his brother,
[80:35] and from his mother and father,
[80:36] and from his wife and sons,
[80:37] every one of them will be too engaged in his own affairs to care for others.
[80:38] Many faces, on that day, will be bright,
[80:39] laughing, rejoicing,
[80:40] and many faces, on that day, will be stained with dust,
[80:41] covered by darkness.
[80:42] Those are the disbelievers, the nefarious.
[80:1] He (the Prophet) frowned and turned his face,
[80:2] because the blind man came to him!
[80:3] What could tell you (O prophet about the prospects of the blind man?) Maybe, (if you had attended him properly,) he would have attained purity,
[80:4] or have received the advice, and the advice would have benefited him.
[80:5] As for the one who does not care (about faith),
[80:6] you are anxious to pursue him,
[80:7] while there is no blame on you, if he does not attain purity.
[80:8] As regards the one who has come to you rushing eagerly,
[80:9] while he fears (Allah),
[80:10] to him you pay no heed!
[80:11] Never! (you should never act in this way,) Indeed this (Qur‘an) is an advice.
[80:12] So, whoever so wills may pay heed to it.
[80:13] It is (recorded) in those scripts (of the Preserved Tablet) that are honoured,
[80:14] exalted, purified,
[80:15] in the hands of those scribes
[80:16] who are honorable, righteous.
[80:17] Damned is the man! How ungrateful he is!
[80:18] From which stuff did He (Allah) create him?
[80:19] from a drop of semen! He created him, and designed him in due proportion,
[80:20] then He made the way easy for him,
[80:21] Later, he made him die, and put him into grave,
[80:22] Thereafter, when He will intend, He will raise him up.
[80:23] No! He has not yet fulfilled what He (Allah) had commanded him.
[80:24] So, the man should consider his food,
[80:25] how well We poured water,
[80:26] then how nicely We split the earth,
[80:27] then We grew in it grain,
[80:28] and grapes and greens,
[80:29] and olive and date-palms,
[80:30] and gardens, full of thick trees,
[80:31] and fruits and fodder,
[80:32] as a benefit for you and your cattle.
[80:33] So when the Deafening Noise will occur,
[80:34] the Day when one will flee from his brother,
[80:35] and from his mother and father,
[80:36] and from his wife and sons,
[80:37] every one of them will be too engaged in his own affairs to care for others.
[80:38] Many faces, on that day, will be bright,
[80:39] laughing, rejoicing,
[80:40] and many faces, on that day, will be stained with dust,
[80:41] covered by darkness.
[80:42] Those are the disbelievers, the nefarious.
Tafsir
Overview of Surah Abasa
- Title and Position: Surah Abasa is the 80th chapter of the Quran. The title “Abasa” translates to “He Frowned,” referring to the incident where the Prophet Muhammad frowned and turned away from a blind man who came to him seeking guidance while he was engaged in conversation with the Quraysh leaders.
- Verses and Structure: This surah contains 42 verses. It emphasizes the importance of prioritizing the sincere seeker of knowledge over those who are indifferent to the message, regardless of their social status.
- Themes and Messages: Major themes include the Prophet’s interaction with the blind man, the value of all individuals in the eyes of God, the significance of the hereafter, the reality of resurrection and judgment, and reflections on the signs of God in creation.
- Significance in Islamic Thought: Surah Abasa is significant for highlighting the ethical and moral conduct expected from Muslims, especially in treating people with respect and kindness, and for reminding believers of the core principles of humility and the prioritization of spiritual values.
Detailed Explanation
- The Incident with the Blind Man: The surah begins with the Prophet’s reaction to the blind man’s interruption. This incident serves as a reminder that every individual’s quest for truth is important, and social status should not be a criterion for the dissemination of the divine message.
- Human Equality and Sincerity: The surah underscores the importance of sincerity in seeking knowledge and guidance, emphasizing that one’s social position or physical abilities do not diminish their worth in the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment.
- Reflections on Creation and Resurrection: The surah invites readers to reflect on various aspects of creation, such as the growth of plants, the creation of humans, and the functioning of the natural world, as signs of God’s power and as a reminder of the resurrection.
- The Day of Judgment: It describes the scenes of the Day of Judgment, where individuals are either rewarded or punished based on their deeds, highlighting the ultimate accountability of all actions.
- Call to Humility and Reflection: Surah Abasa concludes by urging the Prophet and the believers to remain humble, to prioritize what is truly valuable, and to reflect on the signs of God in the universe as a means of strengthening their faith and commitment to righteous conduct.
FAQs
- Why is Surah Abasa named “He Frowned”?
- The surah is named “Abasa” because it begins with the Prophet’s inadvertent frowning at a blind man’s interruption, serving as a lesson in humility and the importance of prioritizing the needs of those sincerely seeking knowledge.
- What is the lesson from the Prophet’s interaction with the blind man?
- The lesson is that every individual’s quest for knowledge and guidance is valuable, regardless of their societal status or physical condition, emphasizing the principle of equality and compassion in Islam.
- How does Surah Abasa encourage reflection on creation?
- It points to various natural phenomena as signs of God’s creative power, encouraging individuals to contemplate these as evidence of God’s existence and as a reminder of the resurrection and the afterlife.
- What does the surah say about the Day of Judgment?
- The surah portrays the Day of Judgment as a time of ultimate accountability, where every person will be judged based on their actions, reinforcing the concept of divine justice.
- The surah is named “Abasa” because it begins with the Prophet’s inadvertent frowning at a blind man’s interruption, serving as a lesson in humility and the importance of prioritizing the needs of those sincerely seeking knowledge.
- The lesson is that every individual’s quest for knowledge and guidance is valuable, regardless of their societal status or physical condition, emphasizing the principle of equality and compassion in Islam.
- It points to various natural phenomena as signs of God’s creative power, encouraging individuals to contemplate these as evidence of God’s existence and as a reminder of the resurrection and the afterlife.
- The surah portrays the Day of Judgment as a time of ultimate accountability, where every person will be judged based on their actions, reinforcing the concept of divine justice.
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