He frowned
The opening describes turning away when a blind man arrives. Before reading explanations, observe the action the text highlights. Discuss how a learning community can give attention to a person whose needs might otherwise be overlooked.
Based on Quran 80:1–2. Original study prompt, not a complete tafsir. Compare the passage ↗English Translation - Noor International Center · QuranEnc.com · v1.1.2 ↗
Issued by Noor International Center. Publisher footnotes appear with their verses.
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ عَبَسَ وَتَوَلَّىٰٓ
(1) He [i.e., the Prophet (ﷺ) ] frowned and turned away
أَن جَآءَهُ ٱلْأَعْمَىٰ
(2) Because there came to him the blind man,[1853] [interrupting].
وَمَا يُدْرِيكَ لَعَلَّهُۥ يَزَّكَّىٰٓ
(3) But what would make you perceive, [O Muḥammad], that perhaps he might be purified[1854]
أَوْ يَذَّكَّرُ فَتَنفَعَهُ ٱلذِّكْرَىٰٓ
(4) Or be reminded and the remembrance would benefit him?
أَمَّا مَنِ ٱسْتَغْنَىٰ
(5) As for he who thinks himself without need,[1855]
فَأَنتَ لَهُۥ تَصَدَّىٰ
(6) To him you give attention.
وَمَا عَلَيْكَ أَلَّا يَزَّكَّىٰ
(7) And not upon you [is any blame] if he will not be purified.[1856]
وَأَمَّا مَن جَآءَكَ يَسْعَىٰ
(8) But as for he who came to you striving [for knowledge]
وَهُوَ يَخْشَىٰ
(9) While he fears [Allāh],
فَأَنتَ عَنْهُ تَلَهَّىٰ
(10) From him you are distracted.
كَلَّآ إِنَّهَا تَذْكِرَةٌۭ
(11) No! Indeed, they [i.e., these verses] are a reminder;
فَمَن شَآءَ ذَكَرَهُۥ
(12) So whoever wills may remember it.[1857]
فِى صُحُفٍۢ مُّكَرَّمَةٍۢ
(13) [It is recorded] in honored sheets,
مَّرْفُوعَةٍۢ مُّطَهَّرَةٍۭ
(14) Exalted and purified,
بِأَيْدِى سَفَرَةٍۢ
(15) [Carried] by the hands of messenger-angels,
كِرَامٍۭ بَرَرَةٍۢ
(16) Noble and dutiful.
قُتِلَ ٱلْإِنسَٰنُ مَآ أَكْفَرَهُۥ
(17) Destroyed [i.e., cursed] is man;[1858] how disbelieving is he.
مِنْ أَىِّ شَىْءٍ خَلَقَهُۥ
(18) From what thing [i.e., substance] did He create him?
مِن نُّطْفَةٍ خَلَقَهُۥ فَقَدَّرَهُۥ
(19) From a sperm-drop He created him and destined for him;[1859]
ثُمَّ ٱلسَّبِيلَ يَسَّرَهُۥ
(20) Then He eased the way for him;[1860]
ثُمَّ أَمَاتَهُۥ فَأَقْبَرَهُۥ
(21) Then He causes his death and provides a grave for him.[1861]
ثُمَّ إِذَا شَآءَ أَنشَرَهُۥ
(22) Then when He wills, He will resurrect him.
كَلَّا لَمَّا يَقْضِ مَآ أَمَرَهُۥ
(23) No! He [i.e., man] has not yet accomplished what He commanded him.
فَلْيَنظُرِ ٱلْإِنسَٰنُ إِلَىٰ طَعَامِهِۦٓ
(24) Then let mankind look at his food -
أَنَّا صَبَبْنَا ٱلْمَآءَ صَبًّۭا
(25) How We poured down water in torrents,
ثُمَّ شَقَقْنَا ٱلْأَرْضَ شَقًّۭا
(26) Then We broke open the earth, splitting [it with sprouts],
فَأَنۢبَتْنَا فِيهَا حَبًّۭا
(27) And caused to grow within it grain
وَعِنَبًۭا وَقَضْبًۭا
(28) And grapes and herbage
وَزَيْتُونًۭا وَنَخْلًۭا
(29) And olive and palm trees
وَحَدَآئِقَ غُلْبًۭا
(30) And gardens of dense shrubbery
وَفَٰكِهَةًۭ وَأَبًّۭا
(31) And fruit and grass -
مَّتَٰعًۭا لَّكُمْ وَلِأَنْعَٰمِكُمْ
(32) [As] enjoyment [i.e., provision] for you and your grazing livestock.
فَإِذَا جَآءَتِ ٱلصَّآخَّةُ
(33) But when there comes the Deafening Blast[1862]
يَوْمَ يَفِرُّ ٱلْمَرْءُ مِنْ أَخِيهِ
(34) On the Day a man will flee from his brother
وَأُمِّهِۦ وَأَبِيهِ
(35) And his mother and his father
وَصَٰحِبَتِهِۦ وَبَنِيهِ
(36) And his wife and his children,
لِكُلِّ ٱمْرِئٍۢ مِّنْهُمْ يَوْمَئِذٍۢ شَأْنٌۭ يُغْنِيهِ
(37) For every man, that Day, will be a matter adequate for him.[1863]
وُجُوهٌۭ يَوْمَئِذٍۢ مُّسْفِرَةٌۭ
(38) [Some] faces, that Day, will be bright -
ضَاحِكَةٌۭ مُّسْتَبْشِرَةٌۭ
(39) Laughing, rejoicing at good news.
وَوُجُوهٌۭ يَوْمَئِذٍ عَلَيْهَا غَبَرَةٌۭ
(40) And [other] faces, that Day, will have upon them dust.
تَرْهَقُهَا قَتَرَةٌ
(41) Blackness will cover them.
أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْكَفَرَةُ ٱلْفَجَرَةُ
(42) Those are the disbelievers, the wicked ones.