One day, the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) was sitting at Ka’aba calling Quraysh top unbelievers to Islam.
Among the group were:
- Abu Jahl
- Utbah ibn Rabi’ah
- Shaybah bin Rabi’ah
- Abdulla Bin Khalaf and others
The Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) was hoping and contemplating that they get guided, as this will make many others enter Islam and result in great change in Mecca.
The beloved Prophet (pbuh) was busy sitting with them, But, suddenly, he was interrupted by a blind man (Abd-Allah ibn Umm-Maktum). He came and sat near the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh).
As he is a blind man, he couldn’t see the situation and how busy the Prophet (pbuh) was.
Abd-Allah ibn Umm-Maktum started calling the Prophet (pbuh) to ask him some questions (interrupting).
Abd-Allah ibn Umm-Maktum who was apparently poor, so that no one took notice of him. He wanted to learn the Qur’an and asked the Prophet (pbuh) to teach him.
He repeated his statement again and again, because he did not know exactly whom he was talking to.
Now, the Prophet (pbuh) between 2 things:
- Continue the conversation with Qurash people that may Allah guide them to Islam.
- Or leave them and go the blind man that needs answers to his questions.
The blind man is calling the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) and Quraysh people are talking to him. Even some of those unbelievers felt uncomfortable that this blind man sat near them.
The Prophet Mohammed’s face (pbuh) frowned in front of the blind man. Even though that he is blind can can’t see the face of the Prophet (pbuh), but Allah certainly sees.
As a result, Allah (swt) revealed the following ayat from Surat Ababs:
عَبَسَ وَتَوَلَّىٰ (1) أَن جَاءَهُ الْأَعْمَىٰ (2) وَمَا يُدْرِيكَ لَعَلَّهُ يَزَّكَّىٰ (3) أَوْ يَذَّكَّرُ فَتَنفَعَهُ الذِّكْرَىٰ (4) أَمَّا مَنِ اسْتَغْنَىٰ (5) فَأَنتَ لَهُ تَصَدَّىٰ (6) وَمَا عَلَيْكَ أَلَّا يَزَّكَّىٰ (7) وَأَمَّا مَن جَاءَكَ يَسْعَىٰ (8) وَهُوَ يَخْشَىٰ (9) فَأَنتَ عَنْهُ تَلَهَّىٰ (10) كَلَّا إِنَّهَا تَذْكِرَةٌ (11)
- (1) The Prophet frowned and turned away
- (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.
- (11) No! Indeed, these verses are a reminder;
Allah (swt) admonished the Prophet (pbuh)
This Sura proves that Holy Quran is the words of Allah (swt) and not the words of Prophet Mohammed (pbuh), as Quraysh used to accuse the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) that this book is from his own words.
Who would write about in admonition of himself?
Proof This book is the words of Allah (swt )
Allah (swt) proved to us that this Quran is his book, and even if you deal with a blind man that can’t see you, you should treat him as Allah (swt) is seeing you.
Even though this story have
The Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) Honors Abd-Allah
At the moments these verses are revealed, the Prophet (pbuh) always held this man in high honor. Whenever he see him, he used to tell him:
“Hail to the one for whom Allah admonished me.”
Allah (swt) Honors His Prophet
Allah (swt) says in beginning of the Sura: “He (the Prophet) frowned and turned away” and didn’t say “You frowned and turned away”. Allah (swt) honors his when addressing him.
As the direct admonition is more severe than the admonition of the absent. This is the admonition of the lover, then Allah (swt) says:
(3) But what would make you perceive, [O Muhammad], that perhaps he might be purified
Abd-Allah ibn Umm-Maktum
Abdullah Ibn Umm-Maktum was the son of Qays Ibn Zayd and Aatikah Bint Abdullah. He was blind by birth and hence his mother was called Umm-Maktum (Mother of the concealed one).
Ibn Umm-Maktum was a cousin of Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, Muhammad’s first wife.
Abdullah Ibn Umm-Maktum was among the first converts to Islam. Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) sent him and Musab ibn Umair to Medina for teaching Qur’an to the inhabitants before the Hijra took place.
He and Bilal Ibn Rabah were chosen as muezzins in Medina by The Prophet Mohammed (pbuh).
When The Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) left Medina for participating in battles, he was given the responsibility of leading the prayers.
What We’ve Learned So Far?
- We should accept the knowledge seeker
- There should be no distinction between rich and poor in the call for Allah (swt).
- You do not have to deny anyone but the communication and excuses.
- A statement of honor for the Prophet (pbuh) as he was addressed in the form of absent.
- Proof the honesty of Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) in his call to Islam.
- Proof this book is the words of Allah and not the Prophet (pbuh), as Allah’s admonition for his messenger.
- Every time Ibn Maktum comes to the Prophet (pbuh), he opens the space of setting for him, makes him sit near him and say: “Hail to the one for whom Allah admonished me.”
- The title of “blind” mentioned in the Sura to show the companion’s excuse in interrupting the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) speech.
References:
- Surat Abasa – Verses 1 – 11
- Abd-Allah ibn Umm-Maktum – Wikipedia