Surah Al-Ma’un is the 107th chapter of the Quran. It has seven short verses and was revealed in Makkah. This Surah highlights the behavior of people who deny the Day of Judgment. It shows how some ignore the rights of orphans and the poor. It also warns those who are careless in prayer and only show off.
The Surah teaches us about true faith, kindness, and helping others. It says that real believers care for orphans and the needy. It also says that showing off in worship without kindness is not accepted.
Surah Al-Ma’un (Arabic: الماعون)
Arabic
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
١. أَرَأَيْتَ الَّذِي يُكَذِّبُ بِالدِّينِ
٢. فَذَٰلِكَ الَّذِي يَدُعُّ الْيَتِيمَ
٣. وَلَا يَحُضُّ عَلَىٰ طَعَامِ الْمِسْكِينِ
٤. فَوَيْلٌ لِّلْمُصَلِّينَ
٥. الَّذِينَ هُمْ عَن صَلَاتِهِمْ سَاهُونَ
٦. الَّذِينَ هُمْ يُرَاءُونَ
٧. وَيَمْنَعُونَ الْمَاعُونَ
Transliteration
Bismillāhir-Raḥmānir-Raḥīm
- Ara’ayta allaḏī yukaḏḏibu biddīn
- Faḏālika allaḏī yadu‘‘ul-yatīm
- Wa lā yaḥuḍḍu ‘alā ṭa‘āmi-l-miskīn
- Fa-waylul lil-muṣallīn
- Allaḏīna hum ‘an ṣalātihim sāhūn
- Allaḏīna hum yurā’ūn
- Wa yamna‘ūnal-mā‘ūn
English Translation
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
- Have you seen the one who denies the Judgment?
- That is the one who pushes away the orphan,
- And does not encourage feeding the poor.
- So woe to those who pray,
- But are heedless of their prayer,
- Those who only show off,
- And withhold small acts of kindness.
Note: Mishkah Academy teaches about Surah Al-Ma’un in detail and how to recite it with proper meanings in “Online quran recitation classes”
What is the Meaning of Surah Ma’un?
1. أَرَأَيْتَ الَّذِي يُكَذِّبُ بِالدِّينِ
“Have you seen the one who denies the Day of Judgement?”
The Qur’an opens with a rhetorical question that jolts the listener into deep reflection The word الْدِّينِ (ad‑dīn) here refers not to religion, but to the final reckoning, the “Day of Recompense”. The question forces us to recognize and judgmentally categorize such a person. Linguistically, “أَرَأَيْتَ” carries both “have you seen?” and “did you reflect?”, prompting both awareness and moral evaluation.
2. فَذَٰلِكَ الَّذِي يَدُعُّ الْيَتِيمَ
“That is the one who repels the orphan.”
This verse links denial of the Judgment to social injustice. يدعُّ (yad‘u) means to push away or reject. This behavior illustrates deep cruelty toward orphans—either refusing to uplift them or actively oppressing them (e.g., dispossessing them of inheritance, haunting humility, or denying their rights). Examples include Abu Jahl’s mistreatment of an orphan—prompting divine condemnation.
3. وَلَا يَحُضُّ عَلَىٰ طَعَامِ الْمِسْكِينِ
“And does not encourage feeding the poor.”
While verse 2 addresses direct cruelty, verse 3 shifts to communal neglect: absence of advocacy. يحُضُّ (yataḥaḍḍu) means to urge or encourage.
Al‑miskīn is one who is helpless and impoverished. The omission of “urging” means this person stifles the moral imperative to care for the vulnerable. The use of the imperfect verb indicates sustained or habitual failure.
4. فَوَيْلٌ لِّلْمُصَلِّينَ
“So woe to those who pray.”
Woe (wayl) signifies a stern warning to المصلين—those who perform ritual prayer. Notably, this includes not only neglectors of charity, but also people who appear religious yet miss the mark in essence. This warning broadens the indictment from orphan‑care to sincerity in worship.
5. الَّذِينَ هُمْ عَن صَلَاتِهِمْ سَاهُونَ
“Those who are heedless of their prayers.”
Sāhūn carries meanings of negligence: delaying prayers to the last minute, performing them superficially without humility, or merely to be seen publicly.
Ibn ‘Abbās and Tabarī noted it refers specifically to hypocrites who pray outwardly yet neglect inward devotion. A hadith warns: “That is the prayer of the hypocrite… he pecks [prays] like a crow… remembers Allah little”.
6. الَّذِينَ هُمْ يُرَاءُونَ
“Who show off.”
These are riyā’‑seekers—those whose deeds are performed not sincerely for Allah, but for social applause. A hadith reported by Imam Ahmad states:
“Whoever tries to make people hear of his deed… Allah will make him despised and degraded.” This warns: sincerity is key, not outward projection.
7. وَيَمْنَعُونَ الْمَاعُونَ
“And refuse even small acts of kindness.”
Ma’ūn translates to “small kindnesses”—daily favors: lending pots, giving mustard, sharing cooking tools, little alms. Those denying these essentials have hearts hardened against both the needy and Allah’s compassion.
How to Read Surah Al-Ma’un (Quick Steps & Tips)
- Begin with wudu (ablution) for purity.
- Say “Bismillah” before you start.
- Read slowly and clearly, verse by verse.
- Use transliteration if you can’t read Arabic fluently.
- Reflect on each verse’s meaning as you read.
- Practice daily to build fluency and connection with its message.
Benefits of Reading Surah Al-Ma’un
- Reminds us to care for the poor and orphans.
- Helps remove arrogance and show-off behavior.
- Encourages sincere prayer and faith.
- Teaches social responsibility in daily life.
- Protects from the traits of hypocrisy.
- Strengthens your compassion and character.
- Short and easy to memorize and teach children.
Why Did Allah Reveal Surah Al-Ma’un?
According to Ibn Abbas, this Surah was revealed about a man who was known for being greedy and a hypocrite. Some reports mention Al-Aas ibn Wa’il or Abu Sufyan, who refused to help orphans and the poor.
The surah wasn’t just about one man—it was a message for everyone who acts this way. It serves as a clear warning against false faith and selfishness, stressing that real belief shows through kind actions and sincerity in prayer.
What Are the Lessons of Surah Al-Ma’un?
Surah Al-Ma’un teaches us to be kind to orphans and the needy and never turn them away. It also stresses the importance of praying on time and not neglecting it.
The Surah warns against showing off in prayer or doing good just for praise. It’s also a commentary on the behavior of some disbelievers like Al-Aas ibn Wa’il or Abu Sufyan. The main lesson is that true faith must be reflected in action, not just words.
Final Words
Surah Al-Ma’un carries a powerful message about sincerity in faith and kindness in daily life. It reminds us that true belief is not just about prayer but also about how we treat others—especially the poor and the helpless. This short Surah teaches big lessons in compassion, humility, and inner truth.
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