Sūrat No. 80. Revealed in Makka, 42 verses. A short Sūrah covering some important topics, including an emphasis on resurrection.
Sūrat ‘Abasa
Merits of reciting the Sūrah
The Prophet a said: Whoever recites Sūrat ‘Abasa will come to the gathering place on the Day of Judgment, smiling and rejoicing.
Note – Such a joy will be for those who have absorbed the message of the Sūrah and acted upon it.
General synopsis of contents
1) Admonishing the person who did not treat a blind person with respect. (vv. 1-10)
2) Significance of the Quran (vv. 11-16)
3) Reminder about the blessings from Allah (vv. 17-32)
4) Description of the Day of Judgment (vv. 33-42)
Selected Lessons
1) The weak and downtrodden of society must be treated with respect and attention.
Note: According to Allāmah Tabātabā’ī in Tafsīr al-Mīzān, verses1-10 does not refer to the Prophet a. It is not in line with the sublime morals he possessed, as attested to in the Quran itself.
2) The human being cannot be ungrateful when he remembers all the blessings of creation.
3) Family members will evade each other on the Day of Judgment.
Suggested verses for reflection and memorization.
1) 80:11-12 – No indeed! These [verses of the Quran] are a reminder, so let anyone who wishes, remember.
2) 80:17 – Perish man! How ungrateful is he!
3) 80:34-37 – The day when a man will evade his brother, his mother and his father, his spouse and his sons, each of them will have a task to keep him preoccupied on that day.
Activities for self-study
Read about the incident of the blind man and the various interpretations among the Muslims.
Short read – https://en.shafaqna.com/39799/who-frowned-at-the-blind-man/
Long read – https://afosa.org/surah-abasa-who-frowned-and-turned-away-the-blind-man/