Exegesis of the saying of Allah the Exalted: "Woe to those who pray"
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Q88: This is a message from listener S. A. K., an Egyptian working in Iraq. He asks: What is the interpretation of the saying of Allah the Exalted in Surat al-Ma'un: [Al-Ma'un 107:4-7]?
A88: "Wail" is a word of punishment and threat, and a severe warning. It is also said to be a valley in Hellfire.[Al-Ma'un 107:4-5] means: those who delay the prayer from its time, such as praying Fajr after the sun has risen, or praying Zuhr at the time of 'Asr, or praying 'Asr at the time of Maghrib, and so on. So, the one who takes the prayer out of its time? This is considered one who is heedless of it and wastes it, as in the other verse:
[Maryam 19:59], so wasting the prayer and being heedless of it, regarding which the warning was mentioned in the two noble verses, is taking it out of its time without a valid legal excuse; because Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, says: [An-Nisa 4:103], meaning: it is obligatory at its specific times, and it is not permissible to take it out of its time without a valid legal excuse. And His saying, the Exalted: [Al-Ma'un 107:6], means: they show off to people with their deeds, seeking the people's attention for them, and they perform righteous deeds not seeking the Face of Allah thereby; rather, they seek the people, like the one who gives charity in order for people to praise him, or prays, or seeks knowledge, or performs any of the acts of worship, not out of desire for obedience and reward,
but so that people will praise him and speak well of him; this is the very essence of showing off (riya'), and this nullifies the deed, as Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, said:[Al-Kahf 18:110]. And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Bulugh al-Maram 16:48, and this is minor shirk (associating partners with Allah); so it is a severe danger among the characteristics of the hypocrites. Allah the Exalted said: [An-Nisa 4:142]. So showing off is a dangerous disease and a terrible illness, and it is obligatory for the Muslim to be sincere in his work for Allah, Mighty and Majestic, and not to intend showing off or fame from his knowledge. As for those who withhold the small things of life, the meaning of "al-ma'un" is: lending; because giving
loans to those in need is an act of obedience and kindness, for which a person is rewarded. So, the one who withholds a loan from a person in need, while there is no harm to him in giving it, is subject to this great warning. And "al-ma'un" was interpreted to include things like the pot, the axe, the bucket, and everything people need for their affairs that they are compelled to do. So, giving loans to those in need, if no harm results to the lender, and he is in a state of abundance regarding it, then giving it is an act of obedience; and withholding it is what is warned against in this noble verse.
(4) So woe to those who pray (5) [But] who are heedless of their prayer - (6) Those who make show [of their deeds] (7) And withhold [simple] assistance.
فَوَيْلٌ لِلْمُصَلِّينَ (4) الَّذِينَ هُمْ عَنْ صَلاَتِهِمْ سَاهُونَ (5) الَّذِينَ هُمْ يُرَاءُونَ (6) وَيَمْنَعُونَ الْمَاعُونَA88: "Wail" is a word of punishment and threat, and a severe warning. It is also said to be a valley in Hellfire.
(4) So woe to those who pray (5) [But] who are heedless of their prayer -
فَوَيْلٌ لِلْمُصَلِّينَ (4) الَّذِينَ هُمْ عَنْ صَلاَتِهِمْ سَاهُونَBut there came after them successors who neglected prayer and pursued desires; so they are going to meet evil -
فَخَلَفَ مِنْ بَعْدِهِمْ خَلْفٌ أَضَاعُوا الصَّلاَةَ وَاتَّبَعُوا الشَّهَوَاتِ فَسَوْفَ يَلْقَوْنَ غَيًّاAnd when you have completed the prayer, remember Allah standing, sitting, or [lying] on your sides. But when you become secure, re-establish [regular] prayer. Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers a decree of specified times.
فَإِذَا قَضَيْتُمُ الصَّلاَةَ فَاذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ قِيَامًا وَقُعُودًا وَعَلَى جُنُوبِكُمْ فَإِذَا اطْمَأْنَنْتُمْ فَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلاَةَ إِنَّ الصَّلاَةَ كَانَتْ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ كِتَابًا مَوْقُوتًاThose who make show [of their deeds]
الَّذِينَ هُمْ يُرَاءُونَbut so that people will praise him and speak well of him; this is the very essence of showing off (riya'), and this nullifies the deed, as Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, said:
Say, "I am only a man like you, to whom has been revealed that your god is one God. So whoever would hope for the meeting with his Lord - let him do righteous work and not associate in the worship of his Lord anyone."
قُلْ إِنَّمَا أَنَا بَشَرٌ مِثْلُكُمْ يُوحَى إِلَيَّ أَنَّمَا إِلَهُكُمْ إِلَهٌ وَاحِدٌ فَمَنْ كَانَ يَرْجُوا لِقَاءَ رَبِّهِ فَلْيَعْمَلْ عَمَلاً صَالِحًا وَلاَ يُشْرِكْ بِعِبَادَةِ رَبِّهِ أَحَدًاThe thing I fear most for you is the lesser shirk (polytheism), showing-off (of good deeds).
أخوف ما أخاف عليكم الشرك الأصغر ، فسئل عنه فقال: الرياءIndeed, the hypocrites [think to] deceive Allah, but He is deceiving them. And when they stand for prayer, they stand lazily, showing [themselves to] the people and not remembering Allah except a little,
إِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ يُخَادِعُونَ اللَّهَ وَهُوَ خَادِعُهُمْ وَإِذَا قَامُوا إِلَى الصَّلاَةِ قَامُوا كُسَالَى يُرَاءُونَ النَّاسَ وَلاَ يَذْكُرُونَ اللَّهَ إِلاَّ قَلِيلاًloans to those in need is an act of obedience and kindness, for which a person is rewarded. So, the one who withholds a loan from a person in need, while there is no harm to him in giving it, is subject to this great warning. And "al-ma'un" was interpreted to include things like the pot, the axe, the bucket, and everything people need for their affairs that they are compelled to do. So, giving loans to those in need, if no harm results to the lender, and he is in a state of abundance regarding it, then giving it is an act of obedience; and withholding it is what is warned against in this noble verse.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.