سُوْرَةُ عَبَسَ
Surah Abasa (80) — Ayah 1
عَبَسَ وَتَوَلَّىٰٓ ﴿1﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
(The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم) frowned and turned away.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
عَبَسَ
ʿabasa
He frowned
وَتَوَلَّىٰٓ
watawallā
and turned away
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
The commentators are unanimous that this Surah was revealed regarding the blind Companion Abdullah bin Umm Maktum (may Allah be pleased with him). It is narrated from Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) that once a prominent man from among the polytheists was sitting with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) when Ibn Umm Maktum (may Allah be pleased with him) came and began to ask some questions. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) turned away from him and paid attention to the other man, upon which this Surah was revealed. [ ترمذي، تفسیر القرآن، باب ومن سورۃ عبس : ۳۳۳۱ ] Al-Albani (may Allah have mercy on him) declared it Sahih. In the narration of Anas (may Allah be pleased with him), it is mentioned that this polytheist was Ubayy bin Khalaf, and it is also mentioned that after the revelation of this Surah, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) used to honor Ibn Umm Maktum (may Allah be pleased with him). [ مسند أبي یعلٰی : 431/5، ح : ۳۱۲۳ ] Its chain is Sahih. The author of Ahsan al-Tafasir has written that the narrations in which the names of Abu Jahl and Utbah bin Rabi'ah, etc., are mentioned instead of Ubayy bin Khalaf, their chains are not Sahih. Abdullah bin Umm Maktum (may Allah be pleased with him) was Makkan, Qurayshi, among the earliest Muhajirun, and a cousin of Umm al-Mu'minin Khadijah (may Allah be pleased with her). The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) used to appoint him as his deputy in Madinah during most of his expeditions.
(Ayah 1) ➊ { عَبَسَ وَ تَوَلّٰۤى :} In this, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) is mentioned in the third person, although later on, {” وَ مَا يُدْرِيْكَ ‘‘} he is addressed directly. The point here is that when the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) showed inattention to the blind Companion, Allah Almighty, by way of reproach, showed inattention to him by not addressing him directly. In Mawdih al-Qur'an it is stated: "This speech is as if the complaint is with others about the Messenger. Later, the Messenger is addressed." Some scholars have said that due to honoring him, Allah Almighty did not express displeasure by addressing him directly.
➋ Some have said that "the one who frowned" refers to the polytheist who was sitting with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), but in the following verses, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) is clearly addressed: « فَاَنْتَ عَنْهُ تَلَهّٰى» meaning, you are showing inattention to the one who came (the blind Companion). Therefore, the aforementioned interpretation is not correct.
(Ayah 1) ➊ { عَبَسَ وَ تَوَلّٰۤى :} In this, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) is mentioned in the third person, although later on, {” وَ مَا يُدْرِيْكَ ‘‘} he is addressed directly. The point here is that when the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) showed inattention to the blind Companion, Allah Almighty, by way of reproach, showed inattention to him by not addressing him directly. In Mawdih al-Qur'an it is stated: "This speech is as if the complaint is with others about the Messenger. Later, the Messenger is addressed." Some scholars have said that due to honoring him, Allah Almighty did not express displeasure by addressing him directly.
➋ Some have said that "the one who frowned" refers to the polytheist who was sitting with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), but in the following verses, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) is clearly addressed: « فَاَنْتَ عَنْهُ تَلَهّٰى» meaning, you are showing inattention to the one who came (the blind Companion). Therefore, the aforementioned interpretation is not correct.
