The Exegetic Perspective of the Two Sects on the Initial Verses of Surah Abas

Among the verses to which the deniers of the infallibility of the Holy Prophet (S) have made recourse to are the ten initial verses of Surah 'Abas which is the eightieth chapter of the Quran and which admonishingly speaks of frowning and heedlessness towards those who keenly sought guidance. Most Sunni exegetes of the Quran are of the view that these verses have something to do with the Holy Prophet's conduct towards Ibn Umm Maktum but most Shiite exegetes hold that the verses are about an Amawid individual and that the Prophet, peace be upon him and his pure progeny, are immune to such an allegation. Both parties present evidences from the traditions which are either poor or disconnected. Based on the purport of the verse, it is about an individual who had been commissioned to guide people and lead them to the right path but he frowned and turned away. The Quran then reprimands him for failing to fulfill his duty. Given the moral traits of the Prophet (S), the person intended by this verse is not the Prophet (S), although the specifics of that individual are also not known.