1. 'Abasa wa tawallaa.
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ عَبَسَ وَتَوَلَّىٰٓ
The Prophet frowned and turned away
He frowned
1. 'Abasa wa tawallaa.
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ عَبَسَ وَتَوَلَّىٰٓ
The Prophet frowned and turned away
2. An jaa-ahul 'a-maa
أَن جَآءَهُ ٱلْأَعْمَىٰ
Because there came to him the blind man, [interrupting].
3. Wa maa yudreeka la'allahu yaz zakkaa.
وَمَا يُدْرِيكَ لَعَلَّهُۥ يَزَّكَّىٰٓ
But what would make you perceive, [O Muhammad], that perhaps he might be purified
4. Au yaz zak karu fatanfa 'ahuz zikraa.
أَوْ يَذَّكَّرُ فَتَنفَعَهُ ٱلذِّكْرَىٰٓ
Or be reminded and the remembrance would benefit him?
5. Amma manis taghnaa
أَمَّا مَنِ ٱسْتَغْنَىٰ
As for he who thinks himself without need,
6. Fa-anta lahu tasaddaa
فَأَنتَ لَهُۥ تَصَدَّىٰ
To him you give attention.
7. Wa ma 'alaika allaa yaz zakka.
وَمَا عَلَيْكَ أَلَّا يَزَّكَّىٰ
And not upon you [is any blame] if he will not be purified.
8. Wa amma man jaa-aka yas'a
وَأَمَّا مَن جَآءَكَ يَسْعَىٰ
But as for he who came to you striving [for knowledge]
9. Wahuwa yakhshaa,
وَهُوَ يَخْشَىٰ
While he fears [Allah],
10. Fa-anta 'anhu talah haa.
فَأَنتَ عَنْهُ تَلَهَّىٰ
From him you are distracted.
One of the many practices taught by Islam is that its followers should begin their activities in the name of God.
The character of this surah is that of a prayer. The prayer begins with praise of the One to whom our prayer is addressed.