عَبَسَ وَتَوَلَّىٰٓ
He [i.e., the Prophet () ] frowned and turned away
أَن جَآءَهُ ٱلۡأَعۡمَىٰ
Because there came to him the blind man,[1] [interrupting].
1- ÔAbdullŒh, the son of Umm Makt´m.
وَمَا يُدۡرِيكَ لَعَلَّهُۥ يَزَّكَّىٰٓ
But what would make you perceive, [O Muúammad], that perhaps he might be purified[1]
1- As a result of what he learns from you.
أَوۡ يَذَّكَّرُ فَتَنفَعَهُ ٱلذِّكۡرَىٰٓ
Or be reminded and the remembrance would benefit him?
أَمَّا مَنِ ٱسۡتَغۡنَىٰ
As for he who thinks himself without need,[1]
1- i.e., without need of faith or need of AllŒh (subúŒnahu wa taÔŒlŒ). Here it is in reference to a certain influential member of the Quraysh whom the Prophet () had hoped to bring to IslŒm.
فَأَنتَ لَهُۥ تَصَدَّىٰ
To him you give attention.
وَمَا عَلَيۡكَ أَلَّا يَزَّكَّىٰ
And not upon you [is any blame] if he will not be purified.[1]
1- The Prophet () was responsible only for conveying the message, not for ultimate guidance.
وَأَمَّا مَن جَآءَكَ يَسۡعَىٰ
But as for he who came to you striving [for knowledge]
وَهُوَ يَخۡشَىٰ
While he fears [AllŒh],
فَأَنتَ عَنۡهُ تَلَهَّىٰ
From him you are distracted.
كَلَّآ إِنَّهَا تَذۡكِرَةٞ
No! Indeed, they [i.e., these verses] are a reminder;
فَمَن شَآءَ ذَكَرَهُۥ
So whoever wills may remember it.[1]
1- The revelation. Or "Him," i.e., AllŒh (subúŒnahu wa taÔŒlŒ).
فِي صُحُفٖ مُّكَرَّمَةٖ
[It is recorded] in honored sheets,
مَّرۡفُوعَةٖ مُّطَهَّرَةِۭ
Exalted and purified,
بِأَيۡدِي سَفَرَةٖ
[Carried] by the hands of messenger-angels,
كِرَامِۭ بَرَرَةٖ
Noble and dutiful.
قُتِلَ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنُ مَآ أَكۡفَرَهُۥ
Destroyed [i.e., cursed] is man;[1] how disbelieving is he.
1- i.e., those who deny AllŒh's message.
مِنۡ أَيِّ شَيۡءٍ خَلَقَهُۥ
From what thing [i.e., substance] did He create him?
مِن نُّطۡفَةٍ خَلَقَهُۥ فَقَدَّرَهُۥ
From a sperm-drop He created him and destined for him;[1]
1- His proportions, provisions, life span, etc.
ثُمَّ ٱلسَّبِيلَ يَسَّرَهُۥ
Then He eased the way for him;[1]
1- Into this world (i.e., his birth). It may also refer to life itself, which has been made easier by AllŒh's guidance.
ثُمَّ أَمَاتَهُۥ فَأَقۡبَرَهُۥ
Then He causes his death and provides a grave for him.[1]
1- To conceal his decaying body.
ثُمَّ إِذَا شَآءَ أَنشَرَهُۥ
Then when He wills, He will resurrect him.
كَلَّا لَمَّا يَقۡضِ مَآ أَمَرَهُۥ
No! He [i.e., man] has not yet accomplished what He commanded him.
فَلۡيَنظُرِ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنُ إِلَىٰ طَعَامِهِۦٓ
Then let mankind look at his food –
أَنَّا صَبَبۡنَا ٱلۡمَآءَ صَبّٗا
How We poured down water in torrents,
ثُمَّ شَقَقۡنَا ٱلۡأَرۡضَ شَقّٗا
Then We broke open the earth, splitting [it with sprouts],
فَأَنۢبَتۡنَا فِيهَا حَبّٗا
And caused to grow within it grain
وَعِنَبٗا وَقَضۡبٗا
And grapes and herbage
وَزَيۡتُونٗا وَنَخۡلٗا
And olive and palm trees
وَحَدَآئِقَ غُلۡبٗا
And gardens of dense shrubbery