عَبَسَ وَتَوَلَّىٰٓ 1
Translations
He [i.e., the Prophet (ﷺ) ] frowned and turned away
Transliteration
Abasa wa tawalla
Tafsir (Explanation)
This opening ayah describes the Prophet Muhammad's frown and turning away from a blind man (Abdullah ibn Umm Maktum) who had interrupted his conversation with Quraysh leaders, hoping they might accept Islam. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that while the Prophet's action was a natural human response, Allah revealed this surah to gently correct him, teaching that a believer's spiritual development (the blind man) should not be deprioritized for worldly considerations (the leaders' potential conversion). This ayah establishes the surah's theme of reproof and the importance of treating all people with dignity regardless of their status.
Revelation Context
This surah was revealed in Mecca to address an incident where the Prophet's natural inclination to prioritize influential pagans over a sincere but humble believer illustrated a subtle deviation from Islamic principles of equality. The surah corrects this by emphasizing that spiritual pursuit and sincere faith should not be undervalued for social or political advantage.
Related Hadiths
Tirmidhi reports that Abdullah ibn Umm Maktum was among the early believers and later became a judge and military commander, demonstrating his spiritual worth. The incident reflects the hadith principle that the Prophet (peace be upon him) was guided by revelation to perfect his character and judgment.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that worldly status and influence should never cause us to overlook or demean those with genuine faith and spiritual sincerity; it reminds us that Allah values hearts and intentions over social standing.