وَأَمَّا مَن جَآءَكَ يَسْعَىٰ 8
Translations
But as for he who came to you striving [for knowledge]
Transliteration
Wa-amma man ja-aka yas'a
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the believing slave (Abdullah ibn Umm Maktum) who came to the Prophet ﷺ eagerly seeking knowledge and spiritual guidance. According to classical tafsir scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this contrasts with the previous ayah about the Quraysh chief, illustrating that true worthiness is not determined by worldly status but by one's sincere pursuit of faith. The ayah emphasizes the Prophet's obligation to attend to those who come with genuine spiritual eagerness, regardless of their social standing.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Abasa, which was revealed in response to the Prophet's frown when Abdullah ibn Umm Maktum (a blind companion) interrupted him while he was speaking to a Quraysh leader. The surah serves as a divine admonition against preferring the wealthy and powerful over humble believers, establishing the principle that spiritual sincerity is more valuable than worldly status.
Related Hadiths
Abdullah ibn Umm Maktum is mentioned in various hadiths as one of the earliest Quranic reciters and scholars. The incident of his interruption is documented in Tafsir ibn Kathir and Jami' al-Tirmidhi, where it demonstrates the Prophet's eventual recognition of his mistake and the elevated status of sincere believers in seeking knowledge.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that sincere spiritual pursuit and eagerness to learn Islam is more valuable than wealth, power, or social status; believers should never dismiss or overlook others based on their appearance, disability, or worldly circumstances, as true worth lies in one's dedication to faith and knowledge.