SURAH 80 — ‘Abasa — عبس — “He Frowned”

• Revelation Order: 24
• Event Anchor: Early Meccan correction during outreach efforts (c. 612–615 CE)

Explanation:
‘Abasa recounts an incident where the Prophet frowned when a blind believer, Ibn Umm Maktūm, approached him during a discussion with influential Meccans. The surah rebukes this moment, emphasizing the value of sincere seekers over social elites. Its setting matches the early Meccan period when Muhammad sought to persuade tribal leaders, hoping they would influence wider acceptance of the message. The correction reflects the community’s formative moral training: divine guidance prioritizing humility, equality, and attention to the marginalized, countering Meccan norms of social hierarchy.

Verse	Verse #	Meccan v Medinan	General Index
The Prophet frowned and turned away	1	Meccan	5759
Because there came to him the blind man, [interrupting].	2	Meccan	5760
But what would make you perceive, [O Muhammad], that perhaps he might be purified	3	Meccan	5761
Or be reminded and the remembrance would benefit him?	4	Meccan	5762
As for he who thinks himself without need,	5	Meccan	5763
To him you give attention.	6	Meccan	5764
And not upon you [is any blame] if he will not be purified.	7	Meccan	5765
But as for he who came to you striving [for knowledge]	8	Meccan	5766
While he fears [Allah],	9	Meccan	5767
From him you are distracted.	10	Meccan	5768
No! Indeed, these verses are a reminder;	11	Meccan	5769
So whoever wills may remember it.	12	Meccan	5770
[It is recorded] in honored sheets,	13	Meccan	5771
Exalted and purified,	14	Meccan	5772
[Carried] by the hands of messenger-angels,	15	Meccan	5773
Noble and dutiful.	16	Meccan	5774
Cursed is man; how disbelieving is he.	17	Meccan	5775
From what substance did He create him?	18	Meccan	5776
From a sperm-drop He created him and destined for him;	19	Meccan	5777
Then He eased the way for him;	20	Meccan	5778
Then He causes his death and provides a grave for him.	21	Meccan	5779
Then when He wills, He will resurrect him.	22	Meccan	5780
No! Man has not yet accomplished what He commanded him.	23	Meccan	5781
Then let mankind look at his food –	24	Meccan	5782
How We poured down water in torrents,	25	Meccan	5783
Then We broke open the earth, splitting [it with sprouts],	26	Meccan	5784
And caused to grow within it grain	27	Meccan	5785
And grapes and herbage	28	Meccan	5786
And olive and palm trees	29	Meccan	5787
And gardens of dense shrubbery	30	Meccan	5788
And fruit and grass –	31	Meccan	5789
[As] enjoyment for you and your grazing livestock.	32	Meccan	5790
But when there comes the Deafening Blast	33	Meccan	5791
On the Day a man will flee from his brother	34	Meccan	5792
And his mother and his father	35	Meccan	5793
And his wife and his children,	36	Meccan	5794
For every man, that Day, will be a matter adequate for him.	37	Meccan	5795
[Some] faces, that Day, will be bright –	38	Meccan	5796
Laughing, rejoicing at good news.	39	Meccan	5797
And [other] faces, that Day, will have upon them dust.	40	Meccan	5798
Blackness will cover them.	41	Meccan	5799
Those are the disbelievers, the wicked ones.	42	Meccan	5800