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Surah 'Abasa

Surah 80 · He Frowned · 42 verses · meccan

He Frowned — 'Abasa, the opening word, describing the Prophet ﷺ himself.

The story

A blind man came to ask the Prophet ﷺ a question while he was busy talking to important rich men. The Prophet ﷺ frowned. Allah sent down a whole surah about it — and afterwards the Prophet ﷺ would greet that man warmly every single time.

How it unfolds

  1. AYAH 1-16

    The correction

    A blind man turned away from, a rich man given attention, and the Quran recording it.

  2. AYAH 17-32

    Look at your food

    Water poured, earth split, grain, grapes, olives, palms — provision traced back.

  3. AYAH 33-42

    The Day of fleeing

    Each person occupied by a matter that concerns him — brother, mother, father, wife, children all left behind.

Verses to carry

  • 80:1"He frowned and turned away" — Allah correcting His Messenger ﷺ in words recited ever since.
  • 80:24"So let mankind look at his food."
  • 80:37"For every man that Day will be a matter adequate for him."

Remember this

Never think someone is less important because they are poor, or blind, or small.

Talk about it

Is there someone at school people ignore? What could you do?

Introductions to the surah in Tafsir Ibn Kathir and Mawdudi's Tafhim al-Qur'an; ayah numbering per the Madani mushaf. The occasion of revelation and Ibn Umm Maktum: Tirmidhi 3331, and the sirah literature.

Awaiting scholar review — please read alongside a trusted tafsir.

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