Al-Ma'un

Al-Ma'un (Arabic: الماعون) is the 107th chapter (Surah) of the Quran. It is a short surah, consisting of seven verses. It is typically classified as a Meccan surah, meaning it was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad before his migration to Medina.

The central theme of Surah Al-Ma'un revolves around condemnation of those who reject the Day of Judgment and, consequently, fail to fulfill their obligations towards both God and humanity. Specifically, it highlights the hypocrisy of those who pray insincerely and neglect the needy.

The surah describes several characteristics of those who deny the recompense of the Day of Judgment:

• Repulsing the orphan: They harshly drive away orphans and deny them their rights.
• Not encouraging feeding the poor: They do not encourage others to feed the poor or alleviate their suffering.
• Neglecting prayer: They are heedless in their prayer, performing it without sincerity or devotion, often only to be seen by others.
• Refusing assistance: They withhold small acts of kindness and refuse to lend even simple necessities (al-ma'un) to those in need.

The term "al-ma'un" itself can be interpreted in several ways, but generally refers to small acts of kindness, charity, or everyday necessities like household utensils or basic supplies. The surah emphasizes that even these small acts of compassion are withheld by those who are truly neglectful and hypocritical.

In essence, Al-Ma'un serves as a strong indictment of hypocrisy and a reminder of the importance of both sincere devotion to God and compassionate treatment of one's fellow human beings, particularly the vulnerable and needy. It stresses that outward acts of piety are meaningless without genuine care and concern for others.