Tafsir of Surah Al Ma’un

Surah Al Ma’un is one of the Qur’anic surahs that is characterized by the simplicity of its meanings and the clarity of its message, as it focuses on the importance of good deeds, rejection of miserliness and reluctance to help others with basic needs, and Surat Al Ma’un comes to remind us that true worship of God is not only about prayers and acts of worship, but also includes help, mercy and cooperation with others.

 

History and Reasons for the Revelation of Surah Al Ma’un

Surah Al-Ma’un is the 107th surah in the Quran. It was revealed for multiple reasons:

 

1- The first verse, “Have you seen the one who denies the Recompense?” It is said that it was revealed regarding Al-Aas ibn Wa’il As-Sahmi, or it was revealed regarding Al-Walid ibn Al-Mughirah, or it was revealed regarding Abu Jahl when he was a guardian of an orphan.

 

The orphan came to him in need, asking for help from his own wealth, but he turned him away and did not respond. It is also said that it was revealed regarding Abu Sufyan when he used to slaughter meat every week, and an orphan came to him asking for food, but he pushed him away with his stick.

 

2- The fourth verse, “So woe to those who pray,” was revealed because the hypocrites, when they saw the Muslims standing for prayer, would also stand and pray with them. Their standing was merely for show in front of the Muslims.

 

If the Muslims attended the prayer, they would stand and pray, but if the Muslims did not attend the prayer, they would neglect it and not stand for it. They would also prevent the Muslims from borrowing from them.

 

The surah was named Surah Al Ma’un because Allah mentioned those who prevent the Ma’un. Ma’un refers to things that people seek to borrow from each other, such as cooking pots or food supplies, or anything that can be borrowed and used.

 

Lessons Learned from Surah Al-Ma’un

Surah Al Ma’un is one of the surahs in the Quran that carries several important lessons:

 

1. Kindness to orphans and the needy: The surah emphasizes the importance of caring for orphans and the needy and not harming them.
2. Performing prayers on time: The surah encourages the preservation of performing prayers on time and not delaying or neglecting them.
3. Doing good and providing assistance: The surah urges doing good and providing assistance to those in need.
4. Sincerity in actions for the sake of Allah: Every Muslim should sincerely dedicate all their actions solely for the sake of Allah and not seek rewards from anyone other than Allah alone.
5. Belief in the Day of Judgment: The surah highlights the importance of believing in the Day of Judgment.

 

 

 

Tafsir of Surah Al Ma’un

Surah Al Ma’un is a Meccan surah with 7 verses. It is the 107th surah in the Quran and is recited after saying Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim (In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful).

 

أَرَءَيۡتَ ٱلَّذِي يُكَذِّبُ بِٱلدِّينِ (1) فَذَٰلِكَ ٱلَّذِي يَدُعُّ ٱلۡيَتِيمَ (2) وَلَا يَحُضُّ عَلَىٰ طَعَامِ ٱلۡمِسۡكِينِ (3) فَوَيۡلٞ لِّلۡمُصَلِّينَ (4) ٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ عَن صَلَاتِهِمۡ سَاهُونَ (5) ٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ يُرَآءُونَ (6) وَيَمۡنَعُونَ ٱلۡمَاعُونَ (7)

 

Have you seen the one who denies the Recompense?
That is the one who drives away the orphan
And does not encourage the feeding of the poor.
So woe to those who pray
[But] who are heedless of their prayer –
Those who make show [of their deeds]
And withhold [simple] assistance.

 

Verse 1: “Have you seen the one who denies the Recompense?” It addresses the one who denies the Day of Judgment and believes that there will be no reckoning or punishment. It questions whether such a person is rational or mistaken.

 

Verse 2: “That is the one who drives away the orphan.” It refers to the hypocrite who denies the Day of Judgment and mistreats orphans, pushing them away, showing no mercy or care towards them.

 

Verse 3: “And does not encourage the feeding of the poor.” It describes how the hypocrite does not urge others to feed the poor, nor does he participate in feeding them. Instead, he withholds and denies them their rights.

 

Verse 4: “So woe to those who pray.” It warns of severe punishment for those who pray while possessing the aforementioned characteristics, i.e., denying the Day of Judgment and oppressing orphans and the poor.

 

Verse 5: “[But] who are heedless of their prayer.” It highlights how these individuals are negligent and do not value their prayers. They do not maintain them properly and may even neglect or shorten them.

 

Verse 6: “Those who make show [of their deeds].” It refers to those who pray to be seen by others, aiming to display their piety to people rather than sincerely worshiping Allah.

 

Verse 7: “And withhold [simple] assistance.” It portrays how these individuals prevent others from receiving assistance or support. They refuse to give money, food, or aid to those in need.

 

In short, Surat Al-Ma’un carries with it a powerful and moving message, it invites us to pay attention to the small deeds and morals that we can ignore in our daily lives, and urges us to be cooperative, tolerant, compassionate and compassionate towards others.

 

The moral values conveyed by Surat Al-Ma’un promote spirituality and social balance in society, and emphasize that Islam promotes justice, fairness and mercy in all aspects of life.

 

Wahion Youha Academy has worked from this point of view to promote the values of cooperation, compassion and empathy with others through the courses and programs it offers through its teachers and sheikhs to confirm religious scruples, and promote the values of Islam, as well as offering in its courses all Islamic sciences, from interpretation, intonation, recitation, jurisprudence, transactions, principles and ethical foundations, in conclusion with Islamic studies and history, so that the student has a full understanding of Islam.

 

Sources and references

recitequran – islam