Surah 107 · Meccan · 7 Verses
الماعون
SURAH AL-MA'UN
Small Kindnesses
Surah Al-Ma'un identifies denial of judgment through social and devotional behavior: pushing away the orphan, failing to encourage feeding the poor, careless prayer performed for display and withholding small acts of help. Its compact argument refuses any separation between ritual appearance, sincere attention and practical mercy toward vulnerable neighbors. More about this surah
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
أَرَءَيْتَ ٱلَّذِى يُكَذِّبُ بِٱلدِّينِ
Have you seen the one who denies the Recompense?
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فَذَٰلِكَ ٱلَّذِى يَدُعُّ ٱلْيَتِيمَ
For that is the one who drives away the orphan
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وَلَا يَحُضُّ عَلَىٰ طَعَامِ ٱلْمِسْكِينِ
And does not encourage the feeding of the poor.
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فَوَيْلٌۭ لِّلْمُصَلِّينَ
So woe to those who pray
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ٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ عَن صَلَاتِهِمْ سَاهُونَ
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ٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ يُرَآءُونَ
Those who make show [of their deeds]
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وَيَمْنَعُونَ ٱلْمَاعُونَ
And withhold [simple] assistance.
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About This Surah
The surah asks whether the reader has seen the person who denies judgment. Its answer is behavioral. Such a person repels the orphan and does not encourage feeding the poor.
The warning then turns to people who pray yet are heedless of their prayer, perform to be seen and withhold ordinary assistance. The text does not condemn prayer; it condemns prayer emptied of attention, sincerity and social consequence.
“Small kindnesses” or useful aid extend the chapter into daily neighborly life. Grand declarations do not excuse withholding basic help.
The sequence makes religious accountability visible at the point where vulnerable people, worship and ordinary generosity meet. It should prompt self-examination rather than provide a label for harassing others.
Core Themes
- Care for orphans tests religious truth
- Feeding the poor is a communal concern
- Prayer can be corrupted by display
- Small acts of help carry moral weight
Structure
Verses 1-3: denial shown in treatment of the vulnerable — 1-3
Verses 1-3 focus on denial shown in treatment of the vulnerable.
Verses 4-7: heedless display and withheld assistance — 4-7
Verses 4-7 focus on heedless display and withheld assistance.
Key Passages
The orphan and poor — 1-3
Verses 1-3 address the orphan and poor.
Prayer, display and small help — 4-7
Verses 4-7 address prayer, display and small help.
Interpretation Limits
- Do not use the warning to declare named worshippers unbelievers.
- Do not treat poverty relief as optional decoration.
- Do not turn concern about sincerity into abandoning prayer.