Surah Al-Muddaththir 74:22
سُورَةُ المُدَّثِّرِ · Meccan · Verse 22 of 56
ثُمَّ عَبَسَ وَبَسَرَ
Translation
and frowned and scowled
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wisdom
In Surah Al-Muddaththir, Allah recounts the intense inner struggle of a prominent disbeliever, Walid ibn al-Mughirah, as he confronted the revelation of the Quran. Verse 22, "ثُمَّ عَبَسَ وَبَسَرَ" (Then he frowned and scowled), captures a pivotal moment in his denial.
The Face of Rejection
The immediate context of this verse describes Walid ibn al-Mughirah, a wealthy and influential leader among the Quraysh, who had heard the Prophet Muhammad recite the Quran. Initially, he was deeply moved, acknowledging its profound beauty and unique nature, stating it was unlike any human or jinn speech. However, under social pressure from figures like Abu Jahl, and driven by a desire to maintain his status and leadership, Walid felt compelled to publicly reject the Quran. The verse "ثُمَّ عَبَسَ وَبَسَرَ" depicts his physical reaction as he struggled to invent a coherent accusation against the divine words. Al-Saadi explains that his frowning and scowling openly expressed his "dislike for the truth and hatred for it." It was the visible sign of his inner frustration and anger at being unable to logically refute what his heart knew to be true. As Wahba al-Zuhayli elaborates, 'abasa means "he furrowed his brow," while basara is an even stronger expression, meaning "his face became gloomy and changed," showing an intense inner conflict.
A Deeper Lesson
This powerful imagery offers a timeless lesson about human nature and our relationship with truth. Walid's reaction illustrates a profound spiritual principle: often, people reject truth not because it lacks clarity or evidence, but because it clashes with their pride, personal interests, or social standing. Mufti Shafi's commentary reveals that Walid knew the Prophet was not a magician, yet he chose to label him as such to appease his community and preserve his leadership. His internal conviction was overridden by arrogance and the fear of shame.
Reflection for Today
How often do we, too, find ourselves "frowning and scowling" metaphorically or literally when confronted with a truth that challenges our comfort zones, ingrained habits, or cherished opinions? This ayah encourages us to observe our own reactions when presented with guidance or evidence that demands a change of heart or action. Is our resistance rooted in genuine doubt, or is it a stubborn refusal to submit, much like Walid's struggle to find a flaw in the Quran? The verse serves as a call to cultivate humility and sincerity in seeking and accepting truth, guarding against the inner "frown and scowl" that can arise when ego triumphs over conviction. It reminds us that sometimes, the hardest truths to accept are those that we privately acknowledge but publicly deny for worldly reasons.
Sources: al-Saadi (Taysir al-Karim), Ma'arif al-Quran (Mufti Shafi), al-Munir (Wahba al-Zuhayli), Ibn al-Jawzi (Zad al-Masir)
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Al-Muddaththir 74:22 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.