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Allah gently reprimanded him, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, for ignoring the blind man
One day, the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, was addressing a nobleman of Quraysh who he hoped would accept Islam. When he was thus engaged, Ibn Umm Maktoom (a blind Companion who had already previously accepted Islam) approached and began asking the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, about something and was insisting on asking him. The Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, wished that he would stop asking at that time, so that he could speak to that nobleman from Quraysh, just out of keenness and desire that the man becomes guided. So the Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, frowned in the face of Ibn Umm Maktoom and turned away from him, and instead went to the other man.
On this occasion, Allah sent down the following verses (which means):
«He [i.e. the Prophet] frowned and turned away because there came to him the blind man, [interrupting] but what would make you perceive, [O Muhammad], that perhaps he might be purified or be reminded and the remembrance would benefit him? As for he who thinks himself without need, to him you give attention. And not upon you [is any blame] if he will not be purified. But as for he who came to you striving [for knowledge] while he fears [Allah], From him you are distracted.»
[Quran: 80-1:10]
Ibn Katheer (a scholar) said: “Allah ordered His Messenger, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, not to confine himself to warning one particular person, rather, to treat everyone equally, regardless if they were noblemen or weak people, poor or rich, masters or slaves, men or women, and young or old.
Allah guides whomever He wills to the straight path, and He has the most profound wisdom, as well as the most irrefutable proof.”
