Al-Ma'un (الماعون)
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ أَرَأَيْتَ الَّذِي يُكَذِّبُ بِالدِّينِ
Ara-aital lazee yu kazzibu bid deen
HAST THOU ever considered [the kind of man] who gives the lie to all moral law?
فَذَٰلِكَ الَّذِي يَدُعُّ الْيَتِيمَ
Fa zaalikal lazi yadu'ul-yateem
Behold, it is this [kind of man] that thrusts the orphan away,
وَلَا يَحُضُّ عَلَىٰ طَعَامِ الْمِسْكِينِ
Wa la ya huddu 'alaa ta'amil miskeen
and feels no urge to feed the needy.
فَوَيْلٌ لِلْمُصَلِّينَ
Fa wai lul-lil mu salleen
Woe, then, unto those praying ones
الَّذِينَ هُمْ عَنْ صَلَاتِهِمْ سَاهُونَ
Al lazeena hum 'an salaatihim sahoon
whose hearts from their prayer are remote
الَّذِينَ هُمْ يُرَاءُونَ
Al lazeena hum yuraa-oon
those who want only to be seen and praised,
وَيَمْنَعُونَ الْمَاعُونَ
Wa yamna'oonal ma'oon
and, withal, deny all assistance [to their fellow-men]!
Meaning
The Small Kindnesses
Ayas
7
Revelation
Meccan
Surah No
107
Emphasis on Charity and Good Deeds: Surah Al-Ma’un emphasizes the importance of helping others and performing small acts of kindness. It criticizes those who neglect the poor and those in need, highlighting that true faith manifests in acts of charity and kindness, no matter how small.
Hypocrisy and Empty Rituals: The Surah condemns those who show off in their worship, perform prayers for ostentation, and yet neglect the basic acts of kindness such as helping the poor or providing for the needy. It teaches that good deeds should be sincere and not for show.
Call to Uphold Moral Integrity: The Surah serves as a reminder that a person’s religious actions must be complemented by their treatment of others, particularly the vulnerable and less fortunate members of society.
Universal Message: While this Surah addresses certain individuals who perform religious rituals for show without fulfilling their moral responsibilities, its message is universally applicable to all Muslims. It emphasizes that faith and acts of worship should lead to compassion, humility, and care for others.
Moral and Social Responsibility: It teaches that a true believer’s faith is reflected not only in their worship but also in how they treat others, especially those who are less fortunate.
A Call for Reflection: The Surah encourages believers to reflect on their actions, ensuring that their religious rituals are sincere and that they fulfill their social responsibilities.
Encourages Compassion and Generosity: Regular recitation of Surah Al-Ma’un encourages the believer to engage in charitable acts, both big and small, and to care for the welfare of others.
Awakens Social Responsibility: The Surah serves as a reminder that true faith involves looking out for the vulnerable and making a difference in the community, not just performing acts of worship in isolation.
Strengthens Sincerity in Worship: It reminds believers that their religious acts, such as prayer, should not be performed for the sake of showing off but should be sincere and accompanied by actions that reflect true faith.
On Charity and Good Deeds:
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: “The best of people are those who are most beneficial to others.” (Daraqutni)
This Hadith reflects the core message of Surah Al-Ma’un, which encourages believers to be of benefit to others through acts of kindness and charity.
On the Importance of Helping the Needy:
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: “Allah will not look at the person who turns away from the needy and refuses to give to others.” (Sahih Muslim)
This teaching aligns with the condemnation in Surah Al-Ma’un of those who neglect the poor and refuse to help others, despite their wealth and resources.
“If you find any mistakes in this, please let us know. For a more accurate translation, please refer to the English version. May Allah forgive us for any unintentional mistakes.”
