#36. Think Quran: Surat 'Abasa - Frowning

One day, the Messenger ﷺ was preaching to the leaders of Makkah, hopeful they would accept his message. He was extremely concerned to bringing them into the fold of Islam, and saving them from the Hellfire. However, Abdullah ibn Umm-al Maktum, a blind Muslim, came unexpectedly and wanted the attention of the Prophet ﷺ, saying: "Messenger! Teach me what Allah has taught you." The Messenger ﷺ did not like this interruption and frowned at him, turning away from him and towards the Makkans leaders. The surat commented on this incident, and thereafter the Messenger ﷺ used to say to him, "You are the man for whom my Lord censured me." It is obvious that Abdullah was in error when he interrupted the Messenger ﷺ, who was conveying the Message. So why does the Quran censure him? A closer look at the passage reveals that the Quran wants to remove the Makkan leaders' misunderstanding; they thought Islam needed them. However, the Quran tells them they are wrong, Islam doesn't need them. On the other hand, it appreciates sincere people like the blind man. Whenever the Prophet ﷺ left Madinah, he would appoint Ibn Maktum as the governor. The Quran teaches respect and equality for the blind and disabled.
#TheMajesticQuran #PlainEnglishQuran #ThinkQuran

[@snakejuce]

What I always find fascinating with this Surah is the juxtaposition of the physically blind man (Abdullah) with that of an arrogant, spiritually blind, man.
It turns out that all along the one people recognized as blind was the one that could perceive....yet the one that could see was bereft of spirituality or "vision". That is, the pure and truthful vision that pierces through the facade of this temporal reality.
I hope that makes sense.
This Surah also reminds us that He sees what's in the hearts. He knew the blind man was the sincere one, and the arrogant one was insincere. There are multiple lessons of humility in this surah as well. To not judge based upon appearances and it also rectifies the Rasul giving us another lesson in humility. (SAW). The list could go on.