Surah 'Abasa (Surah 80), which is named after the Arabic word "Abasa" meaning "He frowned." The theme of the Surah revolves around lessons of compassion, humility, and prioritizing the message of Islam. The Surah is a reminder about the importance of valuing all individuals equally, especially in the context of spreading Allah's message, and the need to focus on the core purpose of guiding people toward righteousness.
We have already posted the exegesis / tafsir of the Surah based on some of the eminent scholars and exegetes of Qur'an, which can be accessed from the link: Surah 'Abasa - He frowned: Exegesis of 80th chapter of Qur'an). Today we share another dimension of the Surah by one of the eminent scholars of present times, Nauman Ali Khan. The video so shared at the end of the post would present the idea of how we can be sincere to Allah.
Before we do that, we present in gist form the key themes addressed in the surah:
- The Importance of Compassion and Humility:
- The Surah opens with an incident involving Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who, while engaged in preaching to a wealthy leader (Abu Jahl) of the Quraysh, frowned and turned away when a blind man, Abd Allah ibn Umm Maktum, approached him seeking guidance. The Prophet's reaction is criticized in the opening verses of the Surah, where Allah rebukes the Prophet for prioritizing the wealthy and influential over the poor and less fortunate.
- Verse 80:1-10: Allah gently admonishes the Prophet for showing a lack of attention to the blind man, despite his eagerness for spiritual guidance. The key lesson here is that every individual, regardless of their social status or wealth, should be treated with equal respect and attention when it comes to the message of Islam.
- The Equal Value of All People:
- Allah reminds the Prophet and the believers that the primary focus should be on those who are genuinely seeking guidance, not on those who are distracted by wealth and status. The Surah stresses that the true value of people lies in their sincerity and willingness to accept the truth, not in their material possessions or social standing.
- Verses 11-16: These verses emphasize that the blind man, Abd Allah ibn Umm Maktum, though lacking physical sight, was spiritually alert and seeking knowledge, while the wealthy and influential person may have been indifferent or resistant to the message.
- Divine Knowledge and Control:
- The Surah also reflects on Allah's knowledge and wisdom in guiding individuals. Allah knows who will benefit from the message, and He alone determines who is deserving of guidance. The Surah reminds the Prophet (and all Muslims) that their duty is to spread the message and to remain focused on those who are genuinely receptive to it.
- Verses 17-32: These verses discuss the power and knowledge of Allah in creating and sustaining life, the consequences of ingratitude, and the reality of the Day of Judgment. It reinforces the idea that success lies in following Allah's guidance and that His knowledge far surpasses human understanding.
- The Day of Judgment:
- The latter part of the Surah shifts focus to the Hereafter, emphasizing the inevitable reality of the Day of Judgment, when every person will be held accountable for their actions. This portion serves as a reminder that, in the end, all people, regardless of their social status, will stand before Allah.
- Verses 33-42: These verses depict scenes of the Day of Judgment, where people will be judged based on their deeds. The Surah encourages people to heed the divine message now, before it is too late.
The theme of Surah Abasa is centered on the lessons of compassion, humility, and equal treatment of all individuals when it comes to the message of Islam. It teaches that the true value of people lies in their spiritual openness and sincerity, not in their social status or wealth. The Surah encourages prioritizing those who seek guidance over those who are indifferent, and it underscores the importance of staying focused on the ultimate goal of spreading Allah's message. Additionally, it reminds believers of the reality of the Day of Judgment, where everyone will be held accountable for their actions.
Now, please watch the video in which Nouman Ali Khan explains the theme of the Surah 'Abasa and explains it in a manner that even a simple believer with least intellect can get to know what is being said in this surah and how it lays the foundation developing sincerity to Allah. Please watch the video:
About Nouman Ali Khan: Born to a Pakistani family, Nouman Ali Khan is an American Muslim speaker and Arabic instructor who founded the Bayyinah Institute for Arabic and Qur’anic Studies, after serving as an instructor of Arabic at Nassau Community College. He has been named one of the 500 most influential Muslims in the world by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre of Jordan.
Let us listen to this video again and again and really understand how Allah wants us to be His servants and how we should always be looking towards him, and no one else, for our worldly needs. If we can really Ingrid the meaning of this verse into ourselves, we will never go astray or be misled by worldly desires or following the priests and imams or asking from the dead saints.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is our duty to convey only to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in the video above are those of the scholar concerned. We have shared this view as added information in better understanding of Islam. The reader may or may not agree with the view owing to their own perception. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors. If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.
For more Scholarly views and videos, please read our reference page: Scholars' Viewpoint on Important Issues Related to Islam. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran.
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