CHAPTER 107: AL-MA'UN (THE SMALL KINDNESSES / THE SMALL FAVOURS)

It was revealed in the Mecca period. It consists of seven verses. It takes its name from the word "ma'un," which means "aid/help" and appears in the last verse. It is the 17th Surah according to the order of revelation. (H. T. FEYIZLI, 1/602)

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

107/1-7 HAVE YOU SEEN THE ONE WHO DENIES THE RELIGION?

Translation

1- [O my Prophet!] Have you seen the one who denies the Religion [the Day of Judgment]?

2- 3- That is the one who repulses the orphan, 3- And does not feel concern for the food of the poor / does not encourage the feeding of the poor.

4- 7- So woe to those [who perform] such worship, who are heedless of their worship. 6- Those who make a show [of their deeds]. 7- And withhold [even] the simplest assistance [to those in need of aid and cooperation].

Commentary

Characteristics of the Meccan Pagans

(1) The First Characteristic: ‘Have you seen the one who denies the Religion (the Day of Judgment)?’

That is, have you seen the one who denies the hereafter, the punishment, and the reward? O Muhammad, if you do not recognize him, his signs are these things that follow: (S. HAWWA 16/399)

The polytheistic Arabs did not believe in resurrection after death. Therefore, concepts such as punishment, accounting, and the hereafter were not meaningful to them. This is why the expression "denying the religion" mentioned in the verse means "denial of the hereafter and the punishment." (M. DEMIRCI, 3/643, 644)

It was narrated from Suddi that it was revealed about Walid b. Mughira, and Mawardi narrated that it was revealed about Abu Jahl. It is narrated that Abu Jahl was the guardian of an orphan. One day, that orphan came to him naked and asked for something from his own property. Abu Jahl pushed him away and did not pay any attention. The elders of the Quraysh said to the child: "Go to Muhammad so that he may intercede for you," intending to mock him. Since the orphan did not know their intention, he came to the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) and asked him for help. Since our Prophet (pbuh) did not have the habit of rejecting anyone in need, he stood up and went to Abu Jahl with him. Abu Jahl said "welcome" and gave the orphan his property. Upon this, the Quraysh scolded Abu Jahl, saying, "You have also strayed, you have become a Sabian like Muhammad." He said, "No, I did not stray, but I saw a spear on his right and left; I was afraid he would strike if I did not give it." (ELMALILI, 9/501, 502)

(2, 3) The Second and Third Characteristics: ‘repulses the orphan’

Because he sees the orphan as weak and does not fear Allah, he pushes and shoves him without fairness or mercy; he drives him away and scolds him with oppression and insult. ‘does not take the lead in feeding the poor.’ And he does not provide encouragement or motivation regarding the food of the wretched, helpless poor. Just as he does not feed them himself, he does not care for, assist, recommend, or encourage others—whether from his own relatives or others whose time and situation are suitable—to look after and feed them. He does not think of the state of the helpless and does not favor taking care of the poor. (ELMALILI, 9/502)

The one who pushes and shoves the orphan and violates their rights is an oppressor. Those who unjustly consume the property of orphans only eat fire (4/10). Because unjustly consuming the property of orphans is a major sin. (...) Almighty Allah encourages those who have the means to help the poor through zakat, charity, spending (infaq), and interest-free loans, to meet their needs, and to feed and give them drink. He informs that He will give seven hundred times the reward to those who spend (2/215, 261-263, 3/92) and condemns those who are stingy and do not help the poor (3/180). (I. KARAGOZ,8/641)

(4, 5) The Fourth Characteristic: ‘So woe to those (who perform) such worship, who make mistakes in their worship.’

(...) This surah, as the majority of commentators say, was revealed in Mecca. In that case, the relevant verse is not speaking about the prayer of the believers, but about the routine acts of worship performed by the pagans. Indeed: "Their prayer (salat) at the House [the Kaaba] was nothing but whistling and hand-clapping. [It will be said to them in the hereafter], 'So taste the punishment for what you disbelieved.'" (Anfal 8/35). The same matter is expressed in this verse. In fact, when the surah is approached within its general context, it is seen that the whole of it was revealed concerning the pagans. For those who deny the religion, despise the orphan, do not feed the poor and destitute, do not incline toward encouraging others in this regard, and at the same time are unaware of their worship and furthermore use it as a means of show—these are none other than the aforementioned pagan society. (Muddaththir 74/43-46; M. DEMIRCI 3/645)

(6) The Fifth Characteristic: ‘Those who make a show.’

Nasafi says: The word "yura'una" (they make a show) mentioned in the verse is derived from the infinitive al-mura'at, which means mutual showing. This is because the ostentatious person shows his deed to people, and people show their praise and admiration to him because of this deed. (S. HAWWA 16/400)

Show (riya) and the desire for fame (sum'a) are "hidden polytheism." Believers must perform their worship with a good intention and sincerity (ikhlas) in accordance with Islam (18/110, 98/5). Just as formal requirements must be observed in worship, care must also be shown for intention, sincerity, awe (khushu), and piety (taqwa) (1/5, 3/64), and worship must be performed with the consciousness of seeing Allah (Bukhari, Iman 37). (I. KARAGOZ,8/644, 645)

(7) The Sixth Characteristic: ‘(They) withhold even the simplest things (for aid and cooperation).’

It is narrated through Haris that Ali (ra) said: "Ma'un is the refusal to give people things such as axes, pots, and buckets." (S. HAWWA, 16/404)