Tazkirul Quran, Qur’an 80:1–16
He Frowned (‘Abasa)
By Maulana Wahiduddin Khan
English text; the translator is not named in the archive’s data.
Translation
(1) He frowned and turned away (2) when the blind man approached him, (3) for how can you know that he might seek to purify himself, (4) or take heed and derive benefit from [Our] warning? (5) As for him who was indifferent, (6) you eagerly attended to him— (7) though you are not to be blamed if he would not purify himself— (8) but as for one who comes to you, eagerly (9) and in awe of God (10) you pay him no heed. (11) Indeed, this [Quran] is an admonition. (12) Let him who will, pay heed to it. (13) It is set down on honoured pages, (14) exalted and purified, (15) by the hands of (16) noble and virtuous scribes.
Commentary
(a) The Prophet Muhammad was once preaching to the chiefs of the Quraysh in Makkah, when a blind man, ‘Abdullah ibn Umm al-Maktum, arrived at the gathering and said, ‘O, Prophet of God ! Please teach me something of what God has taught you.’ The arrival of a blind person at this juncture displeased the Prophet. These verses were revealed on that occasion. In these verses the apparent addressee is the Prophet Muhammad, but actually it has been clarified with reference to this incident that, in the eyes of God, those prominent people who have turned away from religion have no value. Before God, the valued person is the one who is imbued with the God-fearing spirit, though apparently he may be a ‘blind’ person.