Surah 'Abasa (He Frowned)

'Abasa means "He Frowned," taken from the surah's opening, which describes a frown and turning away when a blind man approached seeking guidance.

'Abasa is the 80th chapter of the Quran, a Meccan surah of 42 short verses in the final thirtieth of the text. It opens by noting that someone frowned and turned away when a blind man came earnestly seeking knowledge, while attention had been given to the self-satisfied. The passage gently corrects this, affirming that the sincere seeker deserved care regardless of status. The surah then reflects on human ingratitude despite the Creator's provision, tracing the human being's origin, formation, sustenance, and eventual death and raising. It points to the growth of food from the earth as a sign of divine generosity and a reminder of dependence on God. The closing section portrays the deafening blast of the Day of Judgment, when people flee even from close kin, and contrasts the bright, joyful faces of the believers with the darkened faces of those who denied the truth. The tone combines gentle correction with a powerful reminder of accountability.

Surah number: 80
Revelation: Meccan
Ayahs: 42
Arabic: عبس

Read Surah 'Abasa online — full Arabic text with the Pickthall English translation.

Main themes

Correction regarding attention to a sincere seeker
Equal worth of the earnest regardless of social status
Human ingratitude despite divine provision
The stages of human creation and destiny
Food and the earth as signs of God's generosity
The Day of Judgment and the divergence of faces

Why this surah matters

'Abasa is well known for its opening theme, widely understood in the tradition as a lesson that a humble, sincere seeker of guidance merits attention over the powerful or self-satisfied. As part of Juz' 'Amma, it is among the shorter chapters commonly studied and memorized. Many Muslims cite its message as a reminder of humility and of valuing people by their sincerity rather than their standing, and it features regularly in recitation and teaching of the final juz'.

Frequently asked questions

Why is the surah called "'Abasa"?

The name means "He Frowned" and comes from the opening verses describing a frown and turning away when a blind man approached seeking guidance.

What is the main lesson of Surah 'Abasa?

It is traditionally understood to teach that a sincere seeker of knowledge deserves attention and care regardless of social status, alongside reminders of divine provision and the Day of Judgment.

Is 'Abasa Meccan or Medinan?

It is traditionally classified as a Meccan surah, consistent with its themes of resurrection, gratitude, and the final reckoning.

Read Surah 'Abasa

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