Surah Maun (Arabic text: ٱلمَاعُون) is the 107th Surah of the Holy Qur’an. Surah Maun is titled in English “Small Kindness” and composed of 7 verses.
| Ayat No. | Arabic Text | Roman Transliteration |
| 1 | أَرَأَيْتَ الَّذِي يُكَذِّبُ بِالدِّينِ | Ara’aitalladhī yukadhdhibu biddīn |
| 2 | فَذَٰلِكَ الَّذِي يَدُعُّ الْيَتِيمَ | Fadhālika alladhī yadu”ul-yatīm |
| 3 | وَلَا يَحُضُّ عَلَىٰ طَعَامِ الْمِسْكِينِ | Walā yaḥuḍḍu ʿalā ṭaʿāmi’l-miskīn |
| 4 | فَوَيْلٌ لِلْمُصَلِّينَ | Fawailul lil-muṣallīn |
| 5 | الَّذِينَ هُمْ عَنْ صَلَاتِهِمْ سَاهُونَ | Alladhīna hum ʿan ṣalātihim sāhūn |
| 6 | الَّذِينَ هُمْ يُرَاءُونَ | Alladhīna hum yurā’ūn |
| 7 | وَيَمْنَعُونَ الْمَاعُونَ | Wa yamnaʿūna al-māʿūn |
Interpretation of the Holy Quran: Surah Al-Maun (Meal) with meaning in English (Context and Translation)
In the subsequent paragraphs of this paper, we will make a brief tafseer of Surah Al-Maun.
In verse number 1, Allah (SWT) directs the speech to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and asks in exclamation: What do you make of the one who denies the Day Of Resurrection?!
The third verse in the Surah describes the type of deeds Allah (SWT) holds this disbeliever responsible for. He declares that this who denies the requital, i.e., the day of resurrection, oppresses the orphans and seizes their due. It is said to have been said about Al-Aas Ibn Wael or Abu-Sufyan as we discussed earlier in Asbob Al-Nuzul.
In verse number 3, Allah (SWT) also describes more details of that particular disbeliever. He (SWT) also states that the disbeliever does not encourage people to provide food for the needy as he does not provide them himself – period.
Allah (SWT) mentions in verse number 4,5 and 6 about the hypocrites. He (SWT) warns those who delay, avoid, or exercise while performing the prayer. This is actually one of the characteristics which the Lord has given regarding hypocrites that they do not pray except to display their actions to the people.
Allah (SWT) said concerning them: ‘And when they recite the Qur’an they do it in a slovenly manner turning their faces towards people and do not remember Allah other than a little’ (Al-Ā’amp;lt;Ā’ 4:142)
In the seventh verse of this surah, Allah (SWT) goes on his elaboration about the hypocrites. Allah (SWT) says that hypocrites are those who withhold ‘Al-Maun; this can be described as withholding Zakat or help to people in compatriotly helps.
SUMMARY
The Summary of Surah Al-Ma’un, The Small Kindnesses defines the characteristics of those who do not believe in the Day of Judgment and lead very unfulfilling and selfish life without fulfilling their obligations to the society and to themselves.
Surah Al-Ma’un lashes those who do not help orphans, the needy etc with cold hearts while at the same time rebuking those who offer prayers just to be seen by others as hypocrites who do not care about where their minds are. As with all surahs of the Holy Quran, the particular surah concludes with a message that involved worship and charity are both obligatory components of faith.
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Categories: PRAYER (Salat), ALMS (Zakat), SAWN (Fasting) HAJJ (Pilgrimage) & DUA (Supplications), Hadith and Tafseer, The Holy Quran, Quran Jaz 1- 114
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