Surah Al-Ma’un (also written Al-Maa’oun; Arabic ٱلْمَاعُون) is one of the last surahs of the Quran. The Arabic word Al-Ma’un can be translated as "Small Kindness", "The Acts of Kindness", "The Articles of Common Necessity", and sometimes "Almsgiving". The title of the Surah is taken from a word in its last verse, وَيَمْنَعُوْنَ الْمَاعُوْنَ (and deny people the articles of common necessity). Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) said that, during the time of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), the companions understood al-ma’un as lending everyday items such as a bucket and a cooking pot (Hadith 1657 of Sunan Abi Dawud).
The vast majority of Islamic Scholars and Commentators are of the view that Surah Al-Maa'oun was revealed on Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ during his stay in Mecca. Some scholars believe it was revealed to the Prophet when he was settled in Medina, after migration. On the other hand, some scholars are of the view that the last four verses of this Surah were revealed in Medina, whereas the first three were revealed in Mecca. However, the consensus of the majority of the Scholars is that Surah Al-Maa'oun is a Makki Surah. The revelation order of this Surah also supports this view.
By the revelation order, Surah Al-Maa'oun comes at number 17, whereas in the order of recitation, it is the 107th Surah of the Quran. Surah Al-Maa'oun appears in the 30th Juzz of the Quran. Within the Juzz 30, it comes at number 30. It consists of 7 verses grouped in a single Ruku. The total number of words in this Surah is 25, with 114 letters.
١٠٧ - ٱلْمَاعُون
107 - Al-Maa'oun
English
Ahmed Ali
2
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Ahmed Ali
3
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Ahmed Ali
5
If, as it is commonly listed, Surah Al-Ma’un is a Makki Surah, it belongs to the early phase of the Prophethood of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). Like the majority of the Surahs of that period, it strengthens belief in the Hereafter, resurrection, and the Day of Judgment. However, no authentic report names a specific incident, event, or occasion associated with its revelation. Commentators such as Maulana Maududi explain that its central theme is the moral character that results from denying the Hereafter.
Surah Al-Ma’un is commonly listed as a Makki Surah, but scholars differ on where it was revealed. Ibn Abbas, Ata, and Jabir are reported to have held that it is Makki, while Ibn Abbas (in another report), Qatadah, and Dahhak held that it was revealed in Medina (Maududi). Another opinion is that verses 1 to 3 were revealed in Mecca, whereas verses 4 to 7 were revealed in Medina. Those who link the last four verses to Medina argue that, in Mecca, no one would pray just to be seen as a Muslim, while this type of hypocrisy appeared later, in Medina.
Surah Al-Ma’un is the 107th Surah of the Quran, placed in the 30th Juz (Para), where it is the 30th Surah. It comes after Surah Quraysh and before Surah Al-Kawthar. It is the 17th Surah in the order of revelation, and it consists of 25 words.
Surah Al-Ma’un has 7 verses.
Surah Al-Ma’un is grouped into 1 Ruku (section).
With respect to the subject matter, Surah Al-Ma’un can be divided into two parts.
The first three verses condemn the disbelievers, who deny the Day of Judgment, mishandle the orphans, and do not encourage feeding the poor. They show that denial of religious faith also affects the behavior of the deniers, which is reflected in their mistreatment of the poor and orphans.
The next four verses of Surah Al-Ma’un narrate the status of the hypocrites (Munafiqeen). Hypocrites were those who apparently claimed to be Muslims, but by heart and soul, they were not. The Surah describes them as people who are heedless of their prayer (Salah), who pray only to be seen, and who refuse even small kindnesses to others. Commentators such as Maududi explain that this behavior shows they lacked real belief in the Hereafter. All their prayers and good deeds were just to impress people and not to please Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى).
There are no specific benefits attributed to Surah Al-Ma’un in any authentic account. However, as a general concept about the Quranic verses, recitation of any part of the Quran brings huge rewards both in this world and the life hereafter. Reciting the Quran, in itself, is a kind of worship. If one recites any part of the Quran while understanding its meanings, it gives additional benefits. Reciting and reflecting on Surah Al-Ma’un teaches us some important lessons:
Hence, the consistent recitation of Surah Al-Ma’un is a source of strengthening the faith and avoiding hypocrisy.
Listening to the recitation of the Quran, including Surah Al-Ma’un, by renowned Qaris (reciters) is one of the best ways to learn the correct pronunciation of difficult Quranic words. The correct recitation of the Quran is extremely important because these are the words of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى), sent down with a specific purpose. The meaning of a particular word may change with even a minute mistake in pronouncing it. Meanings may also change with pausing at the wrong place. That’s why reading the Quran with Tajweed is so important, especially for a non-Arabic speaker.
Perfection in reading the Quran can generally be attained through proper lessons with a qualified Quran (Tajweed) teacher. However, a more practical method of learning correct recitation of the Quran is to listen to the recitation by a renowned Qari. Besides that, sometimes someone may also like to just listen to the Quran, instead of reading it.
The mobile app "Muslim and Quran" makes this easy. All the Surahs of the Quran are available on the app, as recited by authentic and renowned Qaris. You only need to download the Muslim and Quran mobile application, select the desired Surah and your preferred Qari, and listen to learn the correct recitation of the Quran.
You can download our mobile app for both Android and iOS by clicking the links given below:
The Muslim and Quran mobile app provides the facility to read the Quran online. But if you are interested in reading it offline, you can also download any of the Surahs of the Quran, including Surah Al-Ma’un, in PDF. You can download Surah Al-Ma’un in PDF from this page by following these simple steps:
Al-Ma’un translates to "the small kindnesses" or "small acts of kindness". In the context of Surah Al-Ma’un, it describes the importance of helping the poor and needy through acts of kindness, even small ones.
No specific reward is associated with reciting Surah Al-Ma’un, daily or otherwise. However, reciting the Quran brings rewards, especially when recited while understanding its meanings, and this Surah teaches some of the most important lessons for building a caring society.
No specific day or time is associated with the recitation of Surah Al-Ma’un. You can recite it anytime during the day or night, as per your convenience.
No authentic hadith describes a special virtue of this Surah. However, Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) explained how the companions understood the word al-ma’un, as reported in Hadith 1657 of Sunan Abi Dawud, graded hasan by Al-Albani (Sunnah.com).
The Quran, including Surah Al-Ma’un, was revealed in Arabic, but it does not mean that it can only benefit an Arabic speaker. It is for the benefit and guidance of all humankind, irrespective of what language they speak or to which nation they belong. Anyone can recite it, and non-Arabic speakers can understand its message by reading a translation.