Quranic Sciences and Tradition

Quranic Sciences and Tradition

A New Reading of the Ten Opening Verses of Sūrat ʿAbasa in Light of the Prophet’s Infallibility

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Reza Shokrani 1
Taherh sadat Sayyednari 2
1 Associate Professor, Department of Quranic And Hadith Sciences, Faculty of Theology and Ahl-al-Bayt (Prophet’s Descendants) Studies, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran.
2 PhD, Department of Quran and Hadith Studies, Faculty of Literature and Foreign Languagess, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran.
10.22059/jqst.2026.414390.670636
Abstract
The question of the addressee of the ten opening verses of Sūrat ʿAbasa has long been one of the controversial issues among Qur'anic exegetes, since the apparent meaning of these verses seems inconsistent with the doctrine of the absolute infallibility of the Prophet. In this regard, some exegetes, seeking to safeguard the doctrine of infallibility, have identified the addressee of the verses as someone other than the Prophet. Other exegetes, by contrast, have identified the Prophet himself as the addressee but have either failed to adequately explain the apparent tension with infallibility or have resorted to interpretations that are open to criticism. The present study seeks to resolve this apparent conflict and offer a new reading by critically examining the existing interpretations. The research employs a descriptive-analytical method based on intra-textual argumentation and systematic analysis of textual context (siyāq). The findings indicate that, by relying on the authority of the apparent meanings of the Qur'anic text and drawing on 36 other verses in which the Prophet is directly or indirectly admonished against excessive eagerness to guide those unwilling to accept guidance, a comprehensive interpretive framework can be developed. On this basis, the verses of Sūrat ʿAbasa should not be understood as an act of reproach but rather as an explanation of priorities in the Prophet's mission of conveying divine guidance. The results demonstrate that, consistently with the overall structure and thematic configuration of the Qur'an, these verses address the Prophet while in no way compromising the doctrine of his infallibility.
Keywords
ʿAbasa
reproach (ʿitāb)
Prophetic infallibility (ʿiṣmat al-Nabī)
thematically related verses
textual context (siyāq)
Subjects
Holy Quran.
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Quranic Sciences and Tradition
Volume 59, Issue 1
Spring & Summer 2026
September 2026
Pages 263-281