Tafsir of Abasa 80:31

"And fruits" (Fakiha): It is said that this refers to fruits in their entirety. It is also said that it refers to fruits excluding grapes and pomegranates. Regardless, the mention of what is included within it initially is for the sake of emphasizing its importance.

"And Abba" (Abb): Regarding this, Ibn Abbas and a group [of scholars] said that it is fodder and pasture. It is derived from abba (to aim for/head toward) because it is sought and headed toward. Alternatively, it is derived from abba for something, meaning "to prepare for it," because it is prepared for grazing. It is also applied to the very place where the fodder grows, as in the poet’s saying:

"Qays is our tribe, and Najd is our abode; To us belongs the Abb therein, and the watering place."

Some have mentioned that what humans eat of plants is called Hasida (harvest) and Hasid, while what others [animals] eat is called Abb. On this basis is the saying of some of the Companions, praising the Prophet (may Allah exalt him and grant him peace):

"He has a blessed invocation, whose scent is the east wind; By it, Allah causes the Hasida and the Abb to grow."

'Abd bin Humayd narrated from al-Dahhak that it is straw specifically. Others said it refers to dried fruit, because it is prepared (tu'ab) and stored for winter to be enjoyed.

Abu 'Ubayd narrated in his Fada'il and 'Abd bin Humayd from Ibrahim al-Taymi that Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) was asked about the Abb, and he replied: "What heaven would shade me and what earth would carry me if I were to say about the Book of Allah that which I do not know?"

Ibn Sa'd, Sa'id bin Mansur, 'Abd bin Humayd, Ibn Jarir, Ibn al-Mundhir, al-Hakim (who authenticated it), and others narrated from Anas that 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) recited upon the pulpit: "And We caused to grow therein grain, grapes..." up to the words "...and Abb." He then said: "All of this we have known, but what is the Abb?" Then he threw down a staff that was in his hand and said: "By the life of 'Umar, this is affectation. What is it upon you, son of the mother of 'Umar, not to know what the Abb is? Seek out what has been made clear to you in this Book, and act accordingly; and what you do not know, entrust it to its Lord."

In the Sahih of al-Bukhari, from the narration of Anas, it is also stated that he recited that and said, "What is the Abb?" Then he said, "We have not been burdened, or we have not been commanded with this."

It might appear from this that it is forbidden to pursue the meanings of the Quran or search for its difficult problems. However, in al-Kashshaf, it is not held that way. Rather, the people’s greatest concern was devoted to action, and preoccupying oneself with a piece of knowledge one does not act upon is affectation. Thus, he (may Allah be pleased with him) intended that the verse was set forth to remind man of his sustenance and to invite his gratitude. It is understood from its implication that the Abb is some of what He (subhanahu) caused to grow for man as a provision for him or his livestock. Therefore, you should attend to what is more important: rising to give thanks to Him (the Almighty and Majestic) for what has been made clear to you—among the blessings of Allah—and which is not difficult. Do not preoccupy yourself away from that by seeking the meaning of Abb and knowing the specific plant that is its name. Be content with the general knowledge until it becomes clear to you at a different time. He then advised the people to follow this path regarding similar difficult matters in the Quran.

This is the utmost that can be said in justifying this, but there are some reports from the Commander of the Faithful—as in al-Durr al-Manthur—that make this justification seem remote, if the report is authentic.

One thing remains: the fact that the two Sheikhs (may Allah be pleased with them) and those like them among the Companions were unaware of the intended meaning of Abb, and the disagreement regarding it, does not necessitate that it is strange to the point of impairing eloquence, nor that it was unused among the pure Arabs. Ibn Abbas explained it to Ibn al-Azraq as that which livestock graze upon, and he cited the poet's verse as evidence:

"You see therein the Abb and the pumpkins mingled."

It has occurred in the poetry of some of the Companions, as you have heard. Whoever pursues [the matter] will find more.