Surah Abasa in English

Surat ʻAbasa (Arabic: سورة عبس‎, "He Frowned") is the 80th sura of the Qur'an (Quran / Quraan) with 42 ayat. It is a Meccan / Makki sura. The Surah is so designated after the word `abasa with which it opens.

Sunni view:
Commentators and traditionalists of the Sunni origin are unanimous about the occasion of the revelation of this Surah. According to them, at one time some big chiefs of Makkah were sitting in the assembly of Mohammad (PBUH), and he was earnestly engaged in trying to persuade them to accept Islam. At that very point, a blind man, named Abd-Allah ibn Umm-Maktum, approached him to seek explanation of some point concerning Islam. Hazrat Muhammad (s.a.w) disliked his interruption and ignored him. Thereupon Allah sent down this Surah. From this historical incident the period of the revelation of this Surah can be precisely determined.

In the first place, it is confirmed that Abd-Allah ibn Umm-Maktum was one of the earliest converts to Islam. Ibn Hajar and Ibn Kathir have stated that he was one of those who had accepted Islam at a very early stage at Makkah.

Secondly, some of the traditions of the Hadith / Hadees which relate this incident show that he had already accepted Islam, and some others show that he was inclined to accept it and had approached Muhammad in search of the truth. Hazrat Aishah (r.a) states that coming to Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) he had said: "O Messenger of Allah, guide me to the straight path." (Tirmidhi, Hakim, Ibn Hibban, Ibn Jarir, Abu Ya'la. According to Abdullah bin Abbas, he had asked the meaning of a verse of the Qur'an (AlQuran / AlQur'an) and said to Muhammad (pbuh): "O Messenger of Allah, teach me the knowledge that Allah has taught you." Ibn Jarir, Ibn Abu Hatim). These statements show that he had acknowledged Muhammad (pbuh). Contrary to this, Ibn Zaid has interpreted the words "la'allahu yazzakka" of verse 3 to mean: la'allahu yuslim, "that perhaps he might become Muslim." (Ibn Jarir) And Allah's own words: "What would make you know that he might reform, or heed the admonition, and admonishing might profit him?" and "The one who comes to you running, of his own will, and fears, from him you turn away", point out that by that time he had developed in himself a deep desire to learn the truth: he had come to Muhammad (saw) with the belief that he was the only source of guidance, and his desire would be satisfied only through him; his apparent state also reflected that if he was given instruction, he would benefit by it.


Shia perspective:
The Shia interpretations are unanimous on the view that the person that frowned away was not Muhammad (pbuh), but an elite from Banu Umayya. According to them, these verses were descended about the man from Banu Umayya who was sitting with Muhammad (pbuh). At the same time, Abdullah bin Umm Maktum entered, when the rich man saw the poverty stricken Abdullah he drew himself aside, not to get his dress dirty and contracted his facial expressions, got uneasy. In those verses the God stated his acts and criticized and condemned it.

Surat Nun or Al-Qalam (The Pen)
وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلى خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ

Translation: And indeed, you are of a great moral character.

And Indeed, a Hadith is rejected if it opposes even a single verse of Al-Quran (Al-Qur'an / Mushaf / Koran / Kuran).

It is narrated from the Holy Prophet (Sal Allaho Alehi Wasallam) that the person who recites this Surah will come out of his grave laughing on the Day of Resurrection.

1. Imam as-Sadiq (a.s.) said: Whoever recites “Abasa wa Tawalla” (Surah Abasa) and “Izash Shamso Kuwirrat” (Surah Takwir) will abide with prestige and high position under the shade of Allah’s mercy and His Kindness in Paradise, and it is not much for Allah, if Allah wills.


Ini adalah surah yang ke-80, terdiri dari 42 ayat, terdapat pada juz ke-30 atau Juz ‘Amma dan termasuk kedalam golongan surah Makkiyyah karena turun di kota Mekah.

Surah ‘Abasa ini merupakan teguran dari Allah untuk baginda Rasul Muhammad (saw).