عبس

'Abasa

He Frowned

42 verses

Context

A Meccan surah of 42 verses, 'Abasa was revealed after a blind man, Ibn Umm Maktum, approached the Prophet (peace be upon him) while he was addressing the nobles of Quraysh.

Main themes

This surah teaches that a person's value lies not in social standing but in piety. It also recalls Allah's blessings through food and the creation of mankind.

Learning tip

Tell your child the story of the blind man to teach them that every person deserves respect and attention, regardless of their condition.

Listen to chapter - 'Abasa

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بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

1
عَبَسَ وَتَوَلَّىٰٓ

He [i.e., the Prophet (ﷺ) ] frowned and turned away

2
أَن جَآءَهُ ٱلْأَعْمَىٰ

Because there came to him the blind man,1 [interrupting].

3
وَمَا يُدْرِيكَ لَعَلَّهُۥ يَزَّكَّىٰٓ

But what would make you perceive, [O Muḥammad], that perhaps he might be purified1

4
أَوْ يَذَّكَّرُ فَتَنفَعَهُ ٱلذِّكْرَىٰٓ

Or be reminded and the remembrance would benefit him?

5
أَمَّا مَنِ ٱسْتَغْنَىٰ

As for he who thinks himself without need,1

6
فَأَنتَ لَهُۥ تَصَدَّىٰ

To him you give attention.

7
وَمَا عَلَيْكَ أَلَّا يَزَّكَّىٰ

And not upon you [is any blame] if he will not be purified.1

8
وَأَمَّا مَن جَآءَكَ يَسْعَىٰ

But as for he who came to you striving [for knowledge]

9
وَهُوَ يَخْشَىٰ

While he fears [Allāh],

10
فَأَنتَ عَنْهُ تَلَهَّىٰ

From him you are distracted.

11
كَلَّآ إِنَّهَا تَذْكِرَةٌ

No! Indeed, they [i.e., these verses] are a reminder;

12
فَمَن شَآءَ ذَكَرَهُۥ

So whoever wills may remember it.1

13
فِى صُحُفٍ مُّكَرَّمَةٍ

[It is recorded] in honored sheets,

14
مَّرْفُوعَةٍ مُّطَهَّرَةٍۭ

Exalted and purified,

15
بِأَيْدِى سَفَرَةٍ

[Carried] by the hands of messenger-angels,

16
كِرَامٍۭ بَرَرَةٍ

Noble and dutiful.

17
قُتِلَ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنُ مَآ أَكْفَرَهُۥ

Destroyed [i.e., cursed] is man;1 how disbelieving is he.

18
مِنْ أَىِّ شَىْءٍ خَلَقَهُۥ

From what thing [i.e., substance] did He create him?

19
مِن نُّطْفَةٍ خَلَقَهُۥ فَقَدَّرَهُۥ

From a sperm-drop He created him and destined for him;1

20
ثُمَّ ٱلسَّبِيلَ يَسَّرَهُۥ

Then He eased the way for him;1

21
ثُمَّ أَمَاتَهُۥ فَأَقْبَرَهُۥ

Then He causes his death and provides a grave for him.1

22
ثُمَّ إِذَا شَآءَ أَنشَرَهُۥ

Then when He wills, He will resurrect him.

23
كَلَّا لَمَّا يَقْضِ مَآ أَمَرَهُۥ

No! He [i.e., man] has not yet accomplished what He commanded him.

24
فَلْيَنظُرِ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنُ إِلَىٰ طَعَامِهِۦٓ

Then let mankind look at his food -

25
أَنَّا صَبَبْنَا ٱلْمَآءَ صَبًّا

How We poured down water in torrents,

26
ثُمَّ شَقَقْنَا ٱلْأَرْضَ شَقًّا

Then We broke open the earth, splitting [it with sprouts],

27
فَأَنۢبَتْنَا فِيهَا حَبًّا

And caused to grow within it grain

28
وَعِنَبًا وَقَضْبًا

And grapes and herbage

29
وَزَيْتُونًا وَنَخْلًا

And olive and palm trees

30
وَحَدَآئِقَ غُلْبًا

And gardens of dense shrubbery

31
وَفَـٰكِهَةً وَأَبًّا

And fruit and grass -

32
مَّتَـٰعًا لَّكُمْ وَلِأَنْعَـٰمِكُمْ

[As] enjoyment [i.e., provision] for you and your grazing livestock.

33
فَإِذَا جَآءَتِ ٱلصَّآخَّةُ

But when there comes the Deafening Blast1

34
يَوْمَ يَفِرُّ ٱلْمَرْءُ مِنْ أَخِيهِ

On the Day a man will flee from his brother

35
وَأُمِّهِۦ وَأَبِيهِ

And his mother and his father

36
وَصَـٰحِبَتِهِۦ وَبَنِيهِ

And his wife and his children,

37
لِكُلِّ ٱمْرِئٍ مِّنْهُمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ شَأْنٌ يُغْنِيهِ

For every man, that Day, will be a matter adequate for him.1

38
وُجُوهٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ مُّسْفِرَةٌ

[Some] faces, that Day, will be bright -

39
ضَاحِكَةٌ مُّسْتَبْشِرَةٌ

Laughing, rejoicing at good news.

40
وَوُجُوهٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ عَلَيْهَا غَبَرَةٌ

And [other] faces, that Day, will have upon them dust.

41
تَرْهَقُهَا قَتَرَةٌ

Blackness will cover them.

42
أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْكَفَرَةُ ٱلْفَجَرَةُ

Those are the disbelievers, the wicked ones.

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