About the Surah

The reason for descending the verse

This refers to Ibn Umm Maktum. He went to see the Prophet (s.a.w) while the Prophet was meeting 'Utbah ibn Rabi'ah, Abu Jahl ibn Hisham, 'Abbas ibn 'Abd al-Muttalib, and Ubayy and Umayyah the sons of Khalaf. He was calling them to Allah, hoping that they might embrace Islam. Ibn Umm Maktum stood up and said, “O Messenger of Allah, teach me of that which Allah has taught you.” He kept on requesting him and repeating his request, not knowing that he was busy and dealing with someone else. Signs of annoyance appeared on the face of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) because of being repeatedly interrupted. He said in himself, “These chiefs will say,‘His followers consist of only the blind, lowly people, and slaves!’” The Messenger of Allah frowned and turned away from him, and faced toward the people he was addressing. Allah (exalted is He) then revealed these verses. After this, the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) used to honour him, and would say, whenever he saw him, “Welcome to the one about whom my Lord has rebuked me!”(Al-Wahidi,Reasons of Revelation)