80. He Frowned!

THIS CHAPTER containing 42 very early Meccan verses was revealed Tafter The Star 53 and before Power 97. It refers to an incident when the Prophet was conferring with some of the leading citizens of Mecca, and a blind man, Abdullah ibn-Umm- Maktum, interrupted their conversation to ask him some questions of his own. Muhammad is here cautioned against being overbearing and is reminded about how he must provide instruction for everybody.

The chapters from this point on have no sections; previously the sections have been indicated by means of small Roman numerals-i, ii, iii, iv etc.

In the name of God, the Mercy-giving, the Merciful !

* He frowned and turned away
* because the blind man came to him!

* What will make you realize that he may [yet] be purified (of disbelief) * or even reminded, and the Reminder may benefit him? ** However anyone who seems indifferent, * you will attend to. * It is not your concern whether he will purify himself (or not)!

* Yet with someone who comes to you eagerly * and anxiously, ** you act so distracted! * Indeed, it serves as a Reminder! * Anyone who wishes should remember how it * [exists] on honored pages * which are held aloft [for display], * cleansed ** by the hands of noble, virtuous scribes.

Man's Stages

* Let man be damned! What makes him act ungrateful? * From what sort of thing did He create him? * From a drop of semen has He created him and proportioned him. ** Then He made the Way easy for him; * next He will let him die and bury him. * Then [later on] He will raise him up again whenever He may wish.

God's Bounty

* Of course he does not accomplish what He orders him to. * So let man look at his own food! ** We let water pour down abundantly; * then We split the earth right open * and cause grain to sprout from it, * and grapes and fodder, * olive trees, datepalms ** and dense woodlots * and fruit[-trees) and pastures * as an enjoyment for both you and your livestock.

Doomsday
* When the uproar comes * on a day when man will flee from his brother, ** his mother and his father, * his mate and his children, * every last man among them will have enough concem that day to keep him occupied. * Some faces will be beaming on that day, * laughing, rejoicing; ** while other faces will be covered with grime
on that day, * soot will overshadow them. * Those will be the shameless disbelievers.

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Published with authorization from Dr.T.B.Irving.