107. Surah Al-Maun

 

Bismi Allahi arrahmani arraheem

In the name of Allah, the most Gracious, the most Merciful

 The words “have you seen”, apparently, are directed to the Prophet (peace be upon him), but the Quranic style is that on such occasions it generally addresses every intelligent and thinking person. And seeing means seeing with the eyes, for what has been described in the succeeding verses can be seen by every seer with his eyes, as well as knowing, understanding and considering something deeply. If the word araaita is taken in the second meaning, the verse would mean: Do you know the kind of man who belies the rewards and punishments. Or: Have you considered the state of the person who belies the Judgment?

The word ad-din as Quranic term is used for the rewards and punishments of the Hereafter as well as for the religion of Islam. But the theme that follows is more relevant to the first meaning, although the second meaning is also not out of the context. Ibn Abbas has preferred the second meaning, while a majority of the commentators have preferred the first. In case the first meaning is taken, the theme of the Surah would mean that denial of the Hereafter produces such and such a character in man. In case the second meaning is taken, the object of the Surah would be to highlight the moral importance of Islam, to stress that Islam aims at producing an altogether different character in its adherents from that found in its deniers.

The style shows that the object of asking this question at the outset is not to ask whether he has seen the person or not, but to invite the listener to consider as to what kind of character is produced in man when he denies the judgment of the Hereafter, and to urge him to know the kind of the people who belie this creed so that he tries to understand the moral significance of belief in the Hereafter.

The letter fa in the sentence fa-dhalika-alladhi expresses the meaning of a whole sentence, which is to this effect: If you do not know, then know that it is indeed he who drives away the orphan. Or, it gives the meaning: Because of his this very denial of the Hereafter he is the kind of man who drives away the orphan.

The sentence yadu ul yatim as used in the original, has several meanings:

(1) That he deprives the orphan of his rights and evicting him from his father’s heritage thrusts him away.
(2) That if an orphan comes to ask him for help, he repulses him instead of showing him any compassion, and if he still persists in his entreaties in the hope for mercy, he drives him away and out of sight.
(3) That he ill-treats the orphan.

1. Transliteration: Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. 

Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem 

1. Ara 'aytal lazee yukazzibu biddeen
2. Fazaalikal lazee yadu'ul-yateem
3. Wa la yahuddu 'alaa ta'aamil miskeen
4. Fa wailul-lil musalleen
5. Allazeena hum 'an salaatihim saahoon
6. Allazeena hum yuraaa'oon
7. Wa yamna'oonal maa'oon

1. Transliteration: Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. 

   
   

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

1. Seest thou one who denies the Judgment (to come)?
2. Then such is the (man) who repulses the orphan (with harshness),
3. And encourages not the feeding of the indigent.
4. So woe to the worshippers
5. Who are neglectful of their prayers,
6. Those who (want but) to be seen (of men),
7. But refuse (to supply) (even) neighbourly needs.

1. Transliteration: Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. 

   
   

. أَرَأَيْتَ الَّذِي يُكَذِّبُ بِالدِّينِ

2. فَذَٰلِكَ الَّذِي يَدُعُّ الْيَتِيمَ

3. وَلَا يَحُضُّ عَلَىٰ طَعَامِ الْمِسْكِينِ

4. فَوَيْلٌ لِلْمُصَلِّينَ

5. الَّذِينَ هُمْ عَنْ صَلَاتِهِمْ سَاهُونَ

6. الَّذِينَ هُمْ يُرَاءُونَ

7. وَيَمْنَعُونَ الْمَاعُو