Surah Al-Maa’oun (Arabic ٱلمَاعُون) is one of the last surahs of the Quran. The Arabic word Al-Maa'oun 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 its word of the last verse, وَيَمْنَعُوْنَ الْمَاعُوْنَ (and deny people the articles of common necessity).
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
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Ahmed Ali
2
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Ahmed Ali
3
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Ahmed Ali
5
The place of revelation of Surah Al-Maa'oun is very important to understand the theme and subject matter of this Surah. Different scholars have opined that the first three verses of the Surah were definitely revealed in Mecca. However, the next four verses are about the hypocrisy of the people. It is all about the motive behind their prayers and acts of kindness and good deeds, which were just to impress the others. It is argued by some scholars that during the Meccan era of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ, the conditions were such that no one would need to be recognized and seen as a Muslim. On the other hand, this type of hypocrisy was characterized by the behaviour of some people in the later days of Islam, in Medina. Hence, they believe that the last four verses of the Surah are about the hypocrites of Medina.
With respect to the subject matter, Surah Al-Maa'oun can be divided into two parts. The first three verses condemn the disbelievers, who deny the message of the Quran and the life hereafter, and those who mishandle the orphans. It is believed that these verses were revealed in the backdrop of mistreating the orphans by some of the Meccans during the earlier days of Islam.
The next four verses of Surah Al-Maa'oun narrate the status of the hypocrites (Munafiqeen). Hypocrites were those who apparently claimed to be Muslims, but by heart and soul, they were not. It is emphasized that the hypocrites were unaware of the life hereafter and the Day of Judgment. They didn't have any idea about the punishment that they were destined for. It is also narrated that all their prayers and good deeds were just to impress the people and not to please Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ.
So, this Surah describes two types of people. Firstly, those who are disbelievers and deny the Quran and the Day of Judgment and oppress the orphans. Secondly, those who presented themselves as Muslim but were not following the true spirit of Islam, their prayers and good deeds were just to show off. These are described as hypocrites. It is clarified that all these persons are destined for punishment on the Day of Judgment.
There are no specific benefits attributed to Surah Al-Maa'oun 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. So, when we recite Surah Al-Maa'oun, we learn the lesson to be kind to the orphans, believe in the life hereafter, and offer the prayers only to please Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ, instead of impressing people. Similarly, it also guides us not to do good deeds for the purpose of showing our generosity. Hence, the consistent recitation of Surah Al-Maa'oun is a source of strengthening the faith and avoiding hypocrisy. Additionally, it also tells us to be kind when dealing with orphans.