عَبَسَوَتَوَلَّىٰٓ١

He [i.e., the Prophet (ﷺ) ] frowned and turned away

Because there came to him the blind man,¹ [interrupting].

But what would make you perceive, [O Muḥammad], that perhaps he might be purified¹

Or be reminded and the remembrance would benefit him?

As for he who thinks himself without need,¹

To him you give attention.

And not upon you [is any blame] if he will not be purified.¹

But as for he who came to you striving [for knowledge]

While he fears [Allāh],

From him you are distracted.

No! Indeed, they [i.e., these verses] are a reminder;

So whoever wills may remember it.¹

[It is recorded] in honored sheets,

Exalted and purified,

[Carried] by the hands of messenger-angels,

Noble and dutiful.

Destroyed [i.e., cursed] is man;¹ how disbelieving is he.

From what thing [i.e., substance] did He create him?

From a sperm-drop He created him and destined for him;¹

Then He eased the way for him;¹

Then He causes his death and provides a grave for him.¹

Then when He wills, He will resurrect him.

No! He [i.e., man] has not yet accomplished what He commanded him.

Then let mankind look at his food -

How We poured down water in torrents,

Then We broke open the earth, splitting [it with sprouts],

And caused to grow within it grain

And grapes and herbage

And olive and palm trees

And gardens of dense shrubbery

And fruit and grass -

[As] enjoyment [i.e., provision] for you and your grazing livestock.

But when there comes the Deafening Blast¹

On the Day a man will flee from his brother

And his mother and his father

And his wife and his children,

For every man, that Day, will be a matter adequate for him.¹

[Some] faces, that Day, will be bright -

Laughing, rejoicing at good news.

And [other] faces, that Day, will have upon them dust.

Blackness will cover them.

Those are the disbelievers, the wicked ones.