Day 3 – Sūrat ‘Abasa
Sūrat ‘Abasa, No. 80. Revealed in Makkah, 42 verses. A short sūra covering some important topics, including an emphasis on resurrection. It is the only sūra with a title that is a verb.
Merits of reciting the Sūra.
The Prophet (s) said: Whoever recites Sūra ‘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 sūra and acted upon it.
Synopsis of contents
– Admonishing the person who did not treat a blind person with respect. (verses 1-10)
– Significance of the Quran (verses 11-16)
– Reminder about the blessings from Allah ‘azza wajall (verses 17-32)
– Description of the Day of Judgment (verses 33-42)
Some Lessons from the Sūra
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 (s). 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 memorization in Arabic and English
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.
Activity 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/
Long read – https://afosa.org/surah-abasa-
Āyatullāh Nāsir Makārim Shirazi (Ed.) Tafsīr Namūne; M. H. Shakir, Holy Qur’an Translation; Ali Quli Qarai, The Qur’an With a Phrase-by-Phrase English Translation.
Past lessons of Sūra Familiarization available at: