Allah s.w.t. mentioned in the Al-Quran in Surah Abasa verse 1-10:
Which means: He frowned and turned ˹his attention˺ away, ˹simply˺ because the blind man came to him ˹interrupting˺. You never know ˹O Prophet˺, perhaps he may be purified, or he may be mindful, benefitting from the reminder. As for the one who was indifferent, you gave him your ˹undivided˺ attention, even though you are not to blame if he would not be purified. But as for the one who came to you, eager ˹to learn˺, being in awe ˹of Allah˺, you were inattentive to him.
The surah begins with Allah addressing an incident involving the Prophet (peace be upon him). When a blind man, Abdullah ibn Umm Maktum, approached the Prophet during a discussion with the elite leaders of Quraysh, seeking guidance, the Prophet frowned and turned away. As he was focused on convincing the leaders to embrace Islam, seeing it as a significant victory for the Muslim community.
Allah then immediately revealed these verses as a gentle yet firm admonition to the Prophet (peace be upon him). The reprimand underscores the principle that in the eyes of Allah, every soul seeking guidance deserves our attention, irrespective of their social status. The revelation begins with a description of the Prophet’s reaction: “He frowned and turned away because there came to him the blind man.” These initial verses set the tone for a profound teaching moment, emphasizing that the call to Islam is universal and inclusive.
From these verses, several crucial lessons can be applied in our daily lives.
Firstly, it teaches us about the equality of all individuals in the eyes of Allah. Social status, wealth, or power should not determine the attention and respect we give to others. Everyone, regardless of their background, deserves to be treated with kindness, humility and respect, especially those seeking knowledge and truth.
In a hadith, our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also said: “All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a White has no superiority over a Black nor a Black has any superiority over a White except by piety and good action.” (Narrated by Imam Ahmad).
Secondly, the verses highlight the importance of humility and the dangers of arrogance. The blind man’s sincere quest for knowledge contrasts sharply with the arrogance of the Quraysh leaders. This serves as a reminder to remain humble and open to continuous learning, irrespective of our own perceived status.
Additionally, these verses emphasize the significance of intention and effort in seeking knowledge. The blind man’s eagerness and fear of Allah are qualities that every believer should strive to embody. In our daily interactions and pursuits, we should prioritize sincere intentions and genuine efforts over superficial qualities.
Furthermore, the incident underscores the importance of prioritizing those who are genuinely in need. In our efforts to help others, we should focus on those who are seeking guidance and are open to receiving it, rather than being swayed by the allure of influential individuals.
In essence, the first ten verses of Surah Abasa remind us of the profound ethical and moral responsibilities we bear in our interactions. By embracing empathy, prioritizing sincerity, avoiding superficial judgments, practicing self-reflection, and valuing every interaction, we can embody the teachings of these verses in our daily lives. These practices not only align us with the principles of Islam but also foster a more compassionate and equitable society.
Muhammad Shohel says:
Mashallah this is a beautiful educational story.