Tafsir of Surat al-Fajr
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[Tafsir of Surat 'Abasa]
Question: What is the meaning of the word: 'Abasa mentioned in Surat 'Abasa?
Answer: The meaning of 'Abasa is: a person 'abasa when he frowned, and aversion became apparent on him, such that a person feels distressed by something and aversion, frowning, and a lack of openness appear on his face. This is the original meaning.
And ['Abasa: 1],in the Qur'an, its meaning is: that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) felt some aversion and distress because Abdullah ibn Umm Maktum, the blind man, came to him asking about matters of his religion. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was in the presence of some of the chiefs of Quraysh, and he was hoping for their Islam, encouraging them, and speaking with them in the hope that Allah would guide them, to call them to Allah (Mighty and Majestic). So when Abdullah ibn Umm Maktum came asking him while he was occupied with these people, it was as if he disliked the coming of Abdullah ibn Umm Maktum on this occasion, and disliked his question; because it occupied him from speaking with these people.So Allah (Mighty and Majestic) rebuked him for that and said: ['Abasa: 1 - 10].
And the meaning is that Allah rebukes the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) for not receiving Abdullah ibn Umm Maktum, who came desiring good and turning toward good, and for his occupation with a people who had no desire for good and no love for the religion of Islam. Rather, in their claim, they were in a state of self-sufficiency from it. So they were not desiring, nor turning toward, the call of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). From here came the rebuke to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him).
[Tafsir of Surat al-Fajr]
Question: What is the meaning of His saying, the Exalted: [al-Fajr: 6-8],And what is intended is: "Iram"?
Answer: This tribe that Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) mentioned is from the disbelieving, stubborn nations that were deluded by their strength and might; because Allah gave them of physical strength, the strength of civilization, and kingship what they were deluded by, and they transgressed because of it.Allah the Exalted said: [Fussilat: 15, 16]; because when the Prophet of Allah, Hud (peace be upon him), came to them and called them to the oneness of Allah and His worship, they became arrogant, tyrannical, and deluded by their strength. And Allah mentioned their story in many places in His Book, and among them is this place in Surat al-Fajr, [Al-Fajr 89:6-7].
The Imam Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him) said: And these were rebellious, stubborn, tyrants, exiting from His obedience, denying His messengers, and rejecting His books. So the Exalted mentioned how He destroyed them and ruined them and made them stories and lessons.And Allah the Exalted said:[Al-Fajr 89:6-7], and these are the first 'Ad, and they are the descendants of 'Ad ibn Iram ibn 'Aws ibn Sam ibn Nuh.
Ibn Ishaq said: And they are those in whom Allah sent His messenger Hud (peace be upon him), so they denied him and opposed him. So Allah saved him from among them and those who believed with him from them, and He destroyed them
with a violent, scorching wind. He subjected it to them for seven nights and eight days, severe. So you would see the people therein fallen, as if they were the trunks of empty palm trees. Do you see for them any remainder? And Allah mentioned their story in the Qur'an in more than one place so that the believers would take a lesson from their destruction.
So His saying (Glorified and Exalted is He):[Al-Fajr 89:7] is an apposition of explanation and an addition of definition regarding them.
His saying, the Exalted:: Because they used to dwell in tents of hair that were raised by strong pillars. And they were the most severe of people in their time in build and the strongest in force. For this reason, Hud mentioned them with that blessing and guided them to use it in the obedience of their Lord who created them.And he said: [al-A'raf: 69], this is the end of his words, may Allah have mercy on him.
And by this, the intended meaning of His saying (Glorified and Exalted is He) becomes clear:[Al-Fajr 89:6-7], and Allah knows best.
Question: What is the meaning of the word: 'Abasa mentioned in Surat 'Abasa?
Answer: The meaning of 'Abasa is: a person 'abasa when he frowned, and aversion became apparent on him, such that a person feels distressed by something and aversion, frowning, and a lack of openness appear on his face. This is the original meaning.
And
He frowned and turned away
عَبَسَ وَتَوَلَّى(2) Because there came to him the blind man, [interrupting]. (3) But what would make you perceive, [O Muhammad], that perhaps he might be purified (4) Or be reminded and the remembrance would benefit him? (5) As for he who thinks himself without need, (6) To him you give attention. (7) And not upon you [is any blame] if he will not be purified. (8) But as for he who came to you striving [for knowledge] (9) While he fears [Allah], (10) From him you are distracted.
عَبَسَ وَتَوَلَّى أَنْ جَاءَهُ الْأَعْمَى وَمَا يُدْرِيكَ لَعَلَّهُ يَزَّكَّى أَوْ يَذَّكَّرُ فَتَنْفَعَهُ الذِّكْرَى أَمَّا مَنِ اسْتَغْنَى فَأَنْتَ لَهُ تَصَدَّى وَمَا عَلَيْكَ أَلَّا يَزَّكَّى وَأَمَّا مَنْ جَاءَكَ يَسْعَى وَهُوَ يَخْشَى فَأَنْتَ عَنْهُ تَلَهَّىAnd the meaning is that Allah rebukes the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) for not receiving Abdullah ibn Umm Maktum, who came desiring good and turning toward good, and for his occupation with a people who had no desire for good and no love for the religion of Islam. Rather, in their claim, they were in a state of self-sufficiency from it. So they were not desiring, nor turning toward, the call of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). From here came the rebuke to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him).
[Tafsir of Surat al-Fajr]
Question: What is the meaning of His saying, the Exalted:
(6) Have you not considered how your Lord dealt with 'Aad - (7) [With] Iram - who had lofty pillars, (8) The likes of whom had never been created in the land?
أَلَمْ تَرَ كَيْفَ فَعَلَ رَبُّكَ بِعَادٍ إِرَمَ ذَاتِ الْعِمَادِ الَّتِي لَمْ يُخْلَقْ مِثْلُهَا فِي الْبِلَادِAnswer: This tribe that Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) mentioned is from the disbelieving, stubborn nations that were deluded by their strength and might; because Allah gave them of physical strength, the strength of civilization, and kingship what they were deluded by, and they transgressed because of it.Allah the Exalted said:
(15) As for 'Aad, they were arrogant upon the earth without right and said, "Who is greater than us in strength?" Did they not consider that Allah who created them was greater than them in strength? But they were rejecting Our signs. (16) So We sent upon them a screaming wind during days of misfortune to make them taste the punishment of disgrace in the worldly life; but the punishment of the Hereafter is more disgracing, and they will not be helped.
فَأَمَّا عَادٌ فَاسْتَكْبَرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ الْحَقِّ وَقَالُوا مَنْ أَشَدُّ مِنَّا قُوَّةً أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا أَنَّ اللَّهَ الَّذِي خَلَقَهُمْ هُوَ أَشَدُّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةً وَكَانُوا بِآيَاتِنَا يَجْحَدُونَ فَأَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ رِيحًا صَرْصَرًا فِي أَيَّامٍ نَحِسَاتٍ لِنُذِيقَهُمْ عَذَابَ الْخِزْيِ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَلَعَذَابُ الْآخِرَةِ أَخْزَى وَهُمْ لَا يُنْصَرُونَ(6) Have you not considered how your Lord dealt with 'Aad - (7) [With] Iram - who had lofty pillars,
أَلَمْ تَرَ كَيْفَ فَعَلَ رَبُّكَ بِعَادٍ إِرَمَ ذَاتِ الْعِمَادِThe Imam Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him) said: And these were rebellious, stubborn, tyrants, exiting from His obedience, denying His messengers, and rejecting His books. So the Exalted mentioned how He destroyed them and ruined them and made them stories and lessons.And Allah the Exalted said:
(6) Have you not considered how your Lord dealt with 'Aad - (7) [With] Iram - who had lofty pillars,
أَلَمْ تَرَ كَيْفَ فَعَلَ رَبُّكَ بِعَادٍ إِرَمَ ذَاتِ الْعِمَادِIbn Ishaq said: And they are those in whom Allah sent His messenger Hud (peace be upon him), so they denied him and opposed him. So Allah saved him from among them and those who believed with him from them, and He destroyed them
with a violent, scorching wind. He subjected it to them for seven nights and eight days, severe. So you would see the people therein fallen, as if they were the trunks of empty palm trees. Do you see for them any remainder? And Allah mentioned their story in the Qur'an in more than one place so that the believers would take a lesson from their destruction.
So His saying (Glorified and Exalted is He):
[With] Iram - who had lofty pillars,
إِرَمَ ذَاتِ الْعِمَادِHis saying, the Exalted:
of the pillars
ذَاتِ الْعِمَادِAnd remember when He made you successors after the people of Noah and increased you in stature extensively. So remember the favors of Allah that you might succeed.
وَاذْكُرُوا إِذْ جَعَلَكُمْ خُلَفَاءَ مِنْ بَعْدِ قَوْمِ نُوحٍ وَزَادَكُمْ فِي الْخَلْقِ بَسْطَةً فَاذْكُرُوا آلَاءَ اللَّهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَAnd by this, the intended meaning of His saying (Glorified and Exalted is He) becomes clear: