SURAH AL – MAUN Chapter 107

This blog is part of a series of blogs based on my research and compilation of surahs of the Quran, in an effort to understand these surahs in an easy way. Today's effort is on Surah Al-Maun Chapter-107, hope going through it will be a learning journey for all of you. May Allah forgive any mistake, omission, or error on my part in its compilation (Aameen Summa Aameen).

Introduction:

Surah Maun was the 17th chapter revealed to the Prophet (peace be upon him) after Surah al-Takathur and before al-Kafirun. According to Ibn 'Abbas, part of this chapter was revealed at Mecca and the other in Medina. Surat Maun meaning in English is “small kindness.” al-Bukhari also gave it the name “Have You Seen,” in his collection of authentic Prophetic traditions. Additionally, Ibn ‘Atiyyah called it the surah of “religion”, while others call it the chapter of “denial” or the chapter of “the orphan.” It’s the surah number 107 and it’s in the Juz 30, with only seven verses.

Background:

Surah al-Ma'un is directed at the Quraysh, and its theme is to inform their leadership, of the doom that has been destined for them because of their crimes. Surah Al-Maun had revealed to our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to inform Muslims about the way to stay on the right path and what it means to be a true Muslim as well as earning from good ways. This Surah warns that we should not undertake bad jobs. Long ago, before Islam came to Makkah, the local people used to do dishonest jobs.

It also stipulated that, as Muslims, we need to take care of orphaned children, regardless of their faith and religion. During the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) time, Abu Jahl deceived an orphaned boy who did not have clothes to wear and could not fend for himself. The Prophet then asked Abu Jahl to give the little boy all the wealth that his father left for him, but the former refused. The orphaned boy was often mocked and Abu Jahl often gave the Prophet Muhammad hard times but the latter never gave up on the orphaned boy.

The Prophet (PBUH) then asked Abu Jahl to return all the little boy’s land and money, but this time Abu Jahl executed what he was asked without resisting. Because, this time, the Prophet (PBUH) had two spears on both of his sides and threatened to kill Abu Jahl if he disobeyed.

Message in Surah:

The main theme is a sharp criticism againt those who have no care to the orphan and the weak and who forget their substance of shalat. The essence of surah al-Maun is a criticism against those who claim to be Moslems but do not manifest their confession on their attitudes and actions. Surah Al Ma'un contains spiritual and social values such as religious liars, woe to those who pray, people who are negligent in their prayers, people who do riya, people who rebuke orphans, does not recommend feeding the poor, reluctant to help with useful goods.

Reason:

This surah is concerned with two of the core teachings of Islam, how one prays and how one gives. The Surah discusses the character of those who claim to be Muslims but are oblivious of the hereafter. These people deprive the orphans of their rights, are heedless to the dues of the destitute, and pray without holding God in remembrance, forgetting the objective behind prayer. Their charitable acts are a display of their false piety, since they do not give for the love of God. The basic reason of Surah Al-Maun is the clarification of the bad attributes of disbelievers and hypocrites. It also refers to three of the major acts of worship in Islam which are: Tawheed (Monotheism) and belief in the day of judgment, performing prayer, and giving Zakat (charity).

The Surah reveals that those who disbelieve in the day of judgment don’t feed the poor or give charity. It also reveals that hypocrites show off they perform the prayer, but, actually, they are seeking the praise of people (Riyaa).

The Surah clarifies that this is due to their sick hearts, where they don’t believe they will be held to account for their deeds on the day of judgment. And even if they did a good deed it is only for the sake of people and not for the sake of Allah (SWT).

Benefits:

There are many benefits to us when we recite surah Maun and here are some of those benefits:

Ø  Imam Muhammad Baqir said: “He who recites it (Surah Maun) in his obligatory and optional prayers, Allah accepts his prayers and his fasting, and does not count the (evil) acts he committed in this world. The sins of those who recite this Surah Al-Maun are forgiven. If recited 100 times after the Fajr Namaz, one remains safe until the next day’s Fajr time.”

Ø  Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq said: “that if a person recites Surah Maun 41 times every day, he and his family will remain free from being dependent on others for their sustenance. (It is recommended that salawaat/Durood O Salam should also be recited after the first and last ten times)

Ø  Whoso recites this surah in his obligatory and optional salats, his fasts and salats would, inshallah, be approved, and he would not be examined for the misdeeds he has done in the world; and in this world he would by protected by Allah as long as the zakat -payers are paying the zakat.”

Conclusion

The mistreatment of an orphan by a disbeliever, as well as the failure to encourage others to feed the needy, is denounced in surah al Maun. Not only does the disbeliever abuse the orphan, but he also fails to help and urge those around him to feed the destitute. Al-Maun also challenges us to think about our hearts and our dealings.

As a result, in order to please Allah, we should be sympathetic to orphans and treat the destitute with dignity and respect. Similarly, Muslims should not be self-centered and should consider the community as well.

Researched & Compiled by:

OVAIS ASAD KHAN