Abstract

Surah ‘Abasa (Chapter 80 of the Quran), revealed in Makkah, is a short yet profound chapter intertwining historical context with enduring spiritual lessons. This commentary provides a verse-by-verse analysis through multiple lenses – historical, scientific, philosophical, and theological – drawing on classical exegesis (with emphasis on Tafsīr Ibn Kathīr) and modern insights (including the works of Zia H. Shah MD). Surah ‘Abasa opens with a gentle divine rebuke to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ for momentarily favoring influential listeners over a sincere but blind seeker of guidance. This incident, preserved in the Quran, exemplifies the scripture’s impartial moral teaching and serves as internal evidence of the Quran’s divine origin (for it openly corrects the Prophet in a matter of etiquette thequran.love). The Surah then elevates the discourse to universal themes: it extols the Quran’s status as an “admonition” kept in honored, pristine records carried by noble angels, underscoring claims of the Quran’s purity and glory. Next, through a series of vivid reflections on creation, it argues from first creation to Afterlife – reminding humans of their humble biological origin, the bounties of sustenance provided by God, and using these as rational evidence for resurrection. The chapter culminates in stark scenes of the Day of Judgment, where worldly ties are severed and people are divided by the radiance or gloom of their faces, reflective of their faith and deeds. In doing so, Surah ‘Abasa emphasizes human accountability and the eventual resurrection, a theme echoed throughout the Quran.

In summary, Surah ‘Abasa teaches humility, the equal worth of all seekers of truth, and the certainty of the hereafter, all while implicitly testifying to the Glorious Quran’s divine claims – its uncompromising truthfulness, heavenly preservation, and congruence with rational reflection on the natural world. A concluding section highlights how the argument from the first creation to the afterlife in this Surah aligns with similar reasoning in other surahs, reinforced by both classical commentary and modern scientific-philosophical insights.

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