He Frowned ('Abasa)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
۞ He frowned and turned away. 1 Because there came to him the blind man (i.e. 'Abdullah bin Umm-Maktum, who came to the Prophet (Peace be upon him) while he was preaching to one or some of the Quraish chiefs). 2 for how can you know that he might seek to purify himself, 3 Or take heed and so the reminder might avail him? 4 As for him who thinks himself self-sufficient, 5 you eagerly attended to him -- 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 is afraid (of Allah and His Punishment), 9 From him will you divert yourself. 10 These verses are a reminder 11 and so, whoever is willing may remember Him 12 On honourable pages. 13 Exalted, purified, 14 In the hands of scribes (angels). 15 Honourable and Pious and Just. 16 Perish man! how ungrateful he is! 17 Of what thing did He create him? 18 From a (sperm) drop He created him and then determined 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 But no. He has not fulfilled what was enjoined on him. 23 Let man, then, consider [the sources of] his food: 24 We poured down rain abundantly, 25 Thereafter We cleave the earth in clefts, 26 how We made the grain to grow, 27 And grapes and vegetables 28 olives, dates, 29 And gardens of dense shrubbery 30 and fruits and herbage, 31 for you and for your herds to delight in. 32 But when the deafening blast is sounded, 33 on a Day when everyone will [want to] flee from his brother, 34 And his mother and his father 35 And from his wife and sons. 36 every man that day shall have business to suffice him. 37 Many faces will that day be bright, 38 Laughing, rejoicing at good news (of Paradise). 39 And [other] faces, that Day, will have upon them dust. 40 o'erspread with darkness -- 41 They will be the unbelievers, transgressors. 42