Surah 'Abasa , 80

Recitation with English transliteration.....Shaykh Mishary Rashid
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhsmF5bAntU





Recitation by qari Shaykh Abdul Basit ,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5O1_BtloUwA

The Prophet was busy one day addressing a group of prominent dignitaries from the Quraysh  tribe, in the hope that their joining the small community of Muslims would influence a large number of Arabs to turn to Islam too. A blind man, called Abd'Allah ibn Umm Maktum, interrupted him, demanding his attention and asking to talk to the Prophet. Muhammad was unperturbed, and it showed on his face. He ignored the blind man and continued his appeal to the Makkan notables. 

This is the background to this surah which say:

He frowned and turned away (1) Because the blind man came unto him. (2) What could inform thee but that he might grow (in grace) (3) Or take heed and so the reminder might avail him? (4) 

The Prophet appreciated the reproach and thereafter became more differential and accomodating towards Ibn Umm Maktum. He would call him " the man my Lord censured me about! " It also became Muhammad's practice to leave Ibn Umm Maktum in charge of Madinah whenever he had to leave it for any reason.

The surah then continues to expound the nature of God's message.  It is a message to be passed on orally as well as in written form. Those who  received this message should reflect on it, appreciate its meaning, respond to God's call and prepare for the hereafter. Alas! Not all people react in a positive way to God's message.

Many people are oblivious, or have no interest in knowing how or why they have come to be alive. Man starts from a drop of fluid, then developed and grows into a full human being. Few people stop and reflect sufficiently on how they reached this stage and what power has brought them to it. They totally forget Almighty God, the source of their existence and sustenance. The surah inquires:

From what thing doth He create him? (18) From a drop of seed. He createth him and proportioneth him, (19) Then maketh the way easy for him, (20) Then causeth him to die, and burieth him; (21) Then, when He will, He bringeth him again to life. (22) 

In the course of life, man forgets all this and becomes occupied with fulfilling goals and  aspirations. Inevitably, he neglects his obligations towards God Almighty. The surah says: "Nay, but (man) hath not done what He commanded him." (23)

Skeptics and unbelievers are always arguing against the resurrection and the Day of Judgment. They refuse to accept them and recognize only their present existence. The surah cites a simple argument as proof for resurrection by saying:

 Let man consider his food: (24) How We pour water in showers (25)Then split the earth in clefts (26) And cause the grain to grow therein (27) And grapes and green fodder (28)  And olive-trees and palm-trees (29) And garden-closes of thick foliage (30) 

How did all this come about? How did the various plants, fruits and trees come to have their distinct flavours, colors, smells, and structures? Whoever caused them to  grow out of dirt and peat must be capable of bringing humans back to life, and of making everyone face up to their record.

The surah goes on: "But when the Shout cometh (33) On the day when a man fleeth from his brother (34) And his mother and his father (35) And his wife and his children, (36) Every man that day will have concern enough to make him heedless (of others)." (37

But today, people are seldom concerned about heaven and hell or punishment and  reward!

On that Day: " Every man that day will have concern enough to make him heedless (of others). (37) On that day faces will be bright as dawn, (38) Laughing, rejoicing at good news; (39) And other faces, on that day, with dust upon them, (40) Veiled in darkness," (41) 

It is a real pity that modern science has not, as yet, been able to go beyond physical and material reality. It continues to refuse to look into questions of metaphysics in any serious way at all.

Muhammad al-Ghazali, [ 1917-1996 ]
exceprt from " A Thematic Commentary On The Quran "




Reflection and commentary by Shaykh Navaid Aziz,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_7GpBFLg3k



Reflection and commentary by Shaykh Nouman Ali Khan ,
Part 1 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uS1txsSWEss
Part 2  : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaXyMGak4ho&feature=relmfu






" Hasbunallah wa ni' mal WAKEEL "

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aIM_Qcx6F8