Revealed in Makkah, Surah 'Abasa (He Frowned) begins with a gentle divine correction of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) for frowning and turning away from a blind companion, Abdullah ibn Umm Maktum, while preaching to wealthy pagan leaders. It establishes that spiritual sincerity is the true measure of worth, warns humanity of their ingratitude despite God's care, and depicts the Day when family members will flee from one another.
Transliteration
AAabasa watawalla
Translation
He frowned and turned away
Surah 'Abasa opens with a famous divine correction of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ: while he was engaged in an intense private discussion with powerful Meccan chieftains hoping to convince them to halt persecution of Muslims, a blind Muslim companion, Abdullah ibn Umm Maktum, entered and repeatedly called out asking for spiritual instruction. Unable to see the meeting, his interruption caused the Prophet ﷺ to momentarily frown and turn his shoulder away.
Transliteration
An jaahu alaAAma
Translation
When the blind man approached him
God gently but firmly corrected the Prophet ﷺ, reminding him that a sincere, humble blind believer seeking spiritual growth is infinitely more precious in divine sight than arrogant, self-satisfied billionaires who feel no need for God.
Transliteration
Wama yudreeka laAAallahu yazzakka
Translation
But how do you know? Perhaps he was seeking to purify himself
Following this revelation, the Prophet ﷺ treated Ibn Umm Maktum with profound honor and affection for the rest of his life, spreading his cloak for him to sit on and greeting him warmly: 'Welcome to the one concerning whom my Lord corrected me!' The Prophet ﷺ later appointed Ibn Umm Maktum as his official acting governor of Medina during military expeditions.
Transliteration
Aw yaththakkaru fatanfaAAahu alththikra
Translation
Or be reminded, and the message would benefit him
Transliteration
Amma mani istaghna
Translation
But as for him who was indifferent
Transliteration
Faanta lahu tasadda
Translation
You gave him your attention
Transliteration
Wama AAalayka alla yazzakka
Translation
Though you are not liable if he does not purify himself
Transliteration
Waamma man jaaka yasAAa
Translation
But as for him who came to you seeking
Transliteration
Wahuwa yakhsha
Translation
In awe
Transliteration
Faanta AAanhu talahha
Translation
To him you were inattentive
Transliteration
Kalla innaha tathkiratun
Translation
Do not. This is a Lesson
Transliteration
Faman shaa thakarahu
Translation
Whoever wills, shall remember it
Transliteration
Fee suhufin mukarramatin
Translation
On honorable pages
Transliteration
MarfooAAatin mutahharatin
Translation
Exalted and purified
Transliteration
Biaydee safaratin
Translation
By the hands of scribes
Transliteration
Kiramin bararatin
Translation
Noble and devoted
Describes the celestial scribes: confirms that the Quran is inscribed in honorable, elevated heavenly records transcribed by noble, obedient angels ('Safarah, Kiramin Bararah').
Transliteration
Qutila alinsanu ma akfarahu
Translation
Perish man! How thankless he is
Transliteration
Min ayyi shayin khalaqahu
Translation
From what did He create him
Transliteration
Min nutfatin khalaqahu faqaddarahu
Translation
From a sperm drop He created him, and enabled him
Transliteration
Thumma alssabeela yassarahu
Translation
Then He eased the way for him
Transliteration
Thumma amatahu faaqbarahu
Translation
Then He puts him to death, and buries him
Transliteration
Thumma itha shaa ansharahu
Translation
Then, when He wills, He will resurrect him
Transliteration
Kalla lamma yaqdi ma amarahu
Translation
But no, he did not fulfill what He has commanded him
Transliteration
Falyanthuri alinsanu ila taAAamihi
Translation
Let man consider his food
Directs humans to observe the food on their plates: points out that every bite of bread, fruit, and vegetable is the culmination of a massive ecological cycle involving solar heat, rainfall, soil fracturing, and biological synthesis.
Transliteration
Anna sababna almaa sabban
Translation
We pour down water in abundance
Transliteration
Thumma shaqaqna alarda shaqqan
Translation
Then crack the soil open
Transliteration
Faanbatna feeha habban
Translation
And grow in it grains
Transliteration
WaAAinaban waqadban
Translation
And grapes and herbs
Transliteration
Wazaytoonan wanakhlan
Translation
And olives and dates
Transliteration
Wahadaiqa ghulban
Translation
And luscious gardens
Transliteration
Wafakihatan waabban
Translation
And fruits and vegetables
Transliteration
MataAAan lakum walianAAamikum
Translation
Enjoyment for you, and for your livestock
Transliteration
Faitha jaati alssakhkhatu
Translation
But when the Deafening Noise comes to pass
The arrival of 'As-Sakhkhah' (The Deafening Blast)—the second catastrophic trumpet sounding the start of bodily resurrection, whose sheer sonic power overwhelms all human hearing.
Transliteration
Yawma yafirru almaro min akheehi
Translation
The Day when a person will flee from his brother
A heartbreaking portrait of absolute individual accountability on Judgment Day: describes a man fleeing in terror from his own biological brother.
Transliteration
Waommihi waabeehi
Translation
And his mother and his father
Continues the emotional disintegration of worldly bonds: the person flees from his own mother and father.
Transliteration
Wasahibatihi wabaneehi
Translation
And his consort and his children
The person flees even from his beloved spouse and his own children, because every single soul on that Day will be completely consumed by the terrifying gravity of their own individual moral balance sheet.
Transliteration
Likulli imriin minhum yawmaithin shanun yughneehi
Translation
Every one of them, on that Day, will have enough to preoccupy him
Transliteration
Wujoohun yawmaithin musfiratun
Translation
Faces on that Day will be radiant
Transliteration
Dahikatun mustabshiratun
Translation
Laughing and rejoicing
Transliteration
Wawujoohun yawmaithin AAalayha ghabaratun
Translation
And Faces on that Day will be covered with misery
Transliteration
Tarhaquha qataratun
Translation
Overwhelmed by remorse
Transliteration
Olaika humu alkafaratu alfajaratu
Translation
These are the faithless, the vicious