Exegesis of Sura ʿAbasa

Question: What is the meaning of the word “ʿabasa” mentioned in Sura ʿAbasa?

Answer: The verb ʿabasa means to frown—when a person knits his brow and an expression of dislike appears on his face. It is the look that shows when someone is irritated: displeasure, a gloomy countenance, and the absence of cheerfulness. That is its basic, linguistic sense.

In the Qur’an, the words “He frowned and turned away” (80:1) refer to an incident in which the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—felt some annoyance and discomfort. ʿAbdullāh ibn Umm Maktūm, a blind Companion, had come to ask him about matters of his religion while the Prophet was sitting with several of the nobles of Quraysh. Hoping that Allah would guide them, he was encouraging them and speaking with them about Islam. When ʿAbdullāh ibn Umm Maktūm approached with his questions at that very moment, it was as though the Prophet disliked the timing of his arrival, for it distracted him from addressing those notables. Allah therefore reproved him, saying:

“He frowned and turned away because the blind man came to him. Yet what will make you know? Perhaps he might be purified, or be reminded and the reminder would benefit him. As for the one who thinks himself self-sufficient, to him you give your full attention; but you are not to be blamed if he does not purify himself. And as for the one who comes to you eagerly while he is in awe, you are neglectful of him.” (80:1-10)

The meaning is that Allah censures the Prophet for failing to welcome ʿAbdullāh ibn Umm Maktūm, who arrived eager for goodness and receptive to guidance, and for instead occupying himself with people who had no desire for the good, no love for Islam, and who imagined themselves independent of it. They were neither willing nor inclined to accept the Prophet’s call, and for that reason he was divinely reproved.