ভূমিকা

And what would make you know that he might (spiritually) purify himself, Or become reminded so that the reminder might profit him? As to one who regards himself as self-sufficient, To him do you address yourself Though it is no blame on you if he would not (spiritually) purify himself. But as to him who comes to you striving hard. And he fears (Allah in his heart) , Of him wast thou unmindful.

The Occasion of Revelation: These words show that Allah has blamed someone for an action which gave superiority to a man or men of wealth rather than to a blind man who was seeking the truth. But who was the admonished one?

There are a variety of ideas on this subject, but, the most famous commentary among the scholars is the following: Once the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) was deeply engaged in trying to explain the Holy Qur'an to some pagan Quraish leaders such as 'Atabat ibn-i-Rabi'ah, Abu-Jahl, 'Abbas-ibn-'Abdul-Mutallib and Some others. He was hopeful that it would attract them to Islam, and in St) doing. surely a lot of others would come to Islam, too. and therefore. put an end to their sabotage.

But, suddenly, he was interrupted by a blind man, 'Abdullah-ibn-Ummi-Maktuum, who was apparently poor, so that no one took notice of him. He wanted to learn the Qur'an and asked the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) to teach him. He repeated his statement again and again, because he did not know exactly whom he was talking to.

The Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.) naturally did not like the frequent interruptions and this was seen on his face.These Arab leaders, he said to himself may think of Mohammad as a Prophet of the poor and the blind. Then he turned away from 'Abdullah and continued the work at preaching Allah's Message to them. At that moment he received the new verses stated above, which admonished the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) for this action.