This is an early Meccan Sura, and is connected with an incident which reflects the highest honor on the Prophet's sincerity in the Revelations that were vouchsafed to him even if they seemed to reprove him for some natural and human zeal that led him to a false step in his mission according to his own high standards. He was once deeply and earnestly engaged in trying to explain the holy Koran to Pagan Quraish leaders, when he was interrupted by a blind man, Abdullah ibn Umm-i-Maktum, one who was also poor, so that no one took any notice of him. He wanted to learn the Koran. The holy Prophet naturally disliked the interruption and showed impatience. Perhaps the poor man's feelings were hurt. But he whose gentle heart ever sympathized with the poor and afflicted, got new Light from above, and without the least hesitation published this revelation, which forms part of the sacred scripture of Islam, as described in verses 13 to 16. And the Prophet always afterwards held the man in high honor.
The incident was only a passing incident, but after explaining the eternal principles of revelation, the Sura recapitulates the Mercies of Allah to man, and the consequences of a good or a wicked life here, as seen in the spiritual world to come, in the Hereafter.
C.260-(Verses 1 to 42)-Men not blest with the good things of this life may yet be earnest seekers of Truth and Purity, and deserve as much attention as those who seem to wield some influence, yet who in their pride are self-sufficient. Allah's Message is universal: All have a right to hear it. Held high in honor, kept pure and holy, it should be writ by none but good and honorable men.
Allah's Grace is showered on man not less for his inner growth than in his outward life. There must be a final Reckoning, when each soul must stand on its own past Record: The faces, then, of the Blest will beam with Joy and Light, while the Doers of Iniquity will hide in Dust and Shame and Darkness.
80:1 SURA 80. Abasa, or He Frowned. In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. (The Prophet) frowned and turned away,
80:2 Because there came to him the blind man (interrupting).
80:3 But what could tell thee but that perchance he might grow (in spiritual understanding)? --
80:4 Or that he might receive admonition, and the teaching might profit him?
80:5 As to one who regards himself as self-sufficient,
80:6 To him dost thou attend;
80:7 Though it is no blame to thee if he grows not (in spiritual understanding).
80:8 But as to him who came to thee striving earnestly,
80:9 And with fear (in his heart),
80:10 Of him wast thou unmindful.
80:11 By no means (should it be so)! For it is indeed a Message of instruction:
80:12 Therefore let whoso will, keep it in remembrance.
80:13 (It is) in Books held (greatly) in honor,
80:14 Exalted (in dignity), kept pure and holy,
80:15 (Written) by the hands of scribes --
80:16 Honorable and Pious and Just.
80:17 Woe to man! What hath made him reject Allah?
80:18 From what stuff hath He created him?
80:19 From a sperm drop: He hath created him, and then moulded him in due proportions;
80:20 Then doth He make his path smooth for him;
80:21 Then He causeth him to die, and putteth him in his Grave;
80:22 Then, when it is His Will, He will raise him up (again).
80:23 By no means hath he fulfilled what Allah hath commanded him.
80:24 Then let man look at his Food, (and how We provide it):
80:25 For that We pour forth water in abundance,
80:26 And We split the earth in fragments,
80:27 And produce therein Corn,
80:28 And Grapes and nutritious Plants,
80:29 And Olives and Dates,
80:30 And enclosed Gardens dense with lofty trees,
80:31 And Fruits and Fodder, --
80:32 For use and convenience to you and your cattle.
80:33 At length, when there comes the Deafening Noise, --
80:34 That Day shall a man flee from his own brother,
80:35 And from his mother and his father,
80:36 And from his wife and his children.
80:37 Each one of them, that Day, will have enough concern (of his own) to make him indifferent to the others.
80:38 Some Faces that Day will be beaming,
80:39 Laughing, rejoicing.
80:40 And other faces that Day will be dust stained;
80:41 Blackness will cover them:
80:42 Such will be the Rejecters of Allah, the Doers of Iniquity.
