He Frowned ('Abasa)
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
۞ The Prophet frowned and turned away 1 Because the blind man had come in his august presence. 2 But what could tell thee but that perchance he might grow (in spiritual understanding)?- 3 Or be admonished, and the admonition profit him? 4 As to one who regards Himself as self-sufficient, 5 to a rich man, 6 though you will not be questioned even if he never purifies himself. 7 But as for him who cometh unto thee with earnest purpose 8 And hath fear, 9 Of him wast thou unmindful. 10 No indeed; it is a Reminder 11 So whoso wills may give heed to it. 12 In honored books, 13 Exalted and purified, 14 In the hands of scribes (angels). 15 Honourable and obedient. 16 Perish man! how ungrateful he is! 17 From what has God created him? 18 From a sperm-drop He created him and destined for him; 19 Then the way He made easy. 20 Then He causes him to die, and puts him in his grave; 21 Then, when He willed, He brought him out. (As during the night of Holy Prophet’s ascension, when all the Prophets gathered behind him in the Al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem. Or when Allah will raise everyone on the Day of Resurrection.) 22 Yet man declines to do His bidding. 23 Let man reflect on the food he eats. 24 We poured water, pouring it in great abundance, 25 and split the earth, splitting, 26 And We cause therein the grain to grow, 27 And Grapes and nutritious plants, 28 And olive-trees and palm-trees 29 thickly planted gardens, 30 And fruits and fodder: 31 A provision for you and your cattle. 32 At length, when there comes the Deafening Noise,- 33 on the Day when each man shall flee from his brother, 34 his mother, his father, 35 And from his wife and his children. 36 for on that day everyone will be completely engrossed in his own concerns. 37 Some faces that Day will be beaming, 38 Laughing and full of joy, 39 And many will be dust-begrimed, 40 Blackness will cover them: 41 those -- they are the unbelievers, the libertines. 42