Tafsir of Surat al-Ma'un
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Question: What is the meaning of the saying of Allah the Exalted in Surat al-Ma'un,In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful: [al-Ma'un: 4-7] ?
Answer: Wail: a word of punishment, discipline, and severe warning,And it was said: It is a valley in Hellfire for the praying ones who are heedless of their prayer,Meaning: Those who delay the prayer from its time, such as praying Fajr after the sun has risen, praying Zuhr at the time of 'Asr, and praying 'Asr at the time of Maghrib, and so on.
So the one who takes the prayer out of its time is considered heedless of it,and a waster of it, as in the other verse: [Maryam: 59] , so wasting the prayer and being heedless of it, which are the two things for which the warning was mentioned in these two verses, is taking it out of its time without a valid legal excuse;Because Allah the Exalted says: [al-Nisa: 103] ,Meaning: It is prescribed at its times, and it is not permissible to take it out of them without a valid legal excuse.
and His saying, the Exalted:[Al-Ma'un 107:6] : meaning they show off to people with their deeds,
They perform righteous deeds not seeking the Face of Allah, but rather seeking that people praise them, like the one who gives charity in order for people to praise him, or prays, or seeks knowledge, or performs any act of worship, not out of desire for obedience and reward, but rather wanting people to praise him and speak well of him. This is showing off (riya'), and this nullifies the deed,As He the Exalted and Majestic said: [al-Kahf: 110] ,And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) says: , so showing off (riya') nullifies the deed and is minor shirk.
And it is a severe danger, and it is among the characteristics of the hypocrites;Because they, as Allah the Exalted said: [al-Nisa: 142] .
So showing off (riya') is a dangerous disease and a terrible illness, and it is obligatory for the Muslim to make his deed sincere for Allah Mighty and Majestic, and not to intend behind it any showing off (riya') or reputation.
And as for those who withhold al-Ma'un: The meaning of al-Ma'un here is lending; because lending to the needy is an act of obedience and kindness for which a person is rewarded. So the one who withholds lending from the needy, while there is no harm to him in lending it, is subject to this great warning.
And al-Ma'un has been interpreted to include the measure, the axe, the rope, the bucket, and everything people need for their matters which they are compelled to. So lending to the needy, if it does not result in harm to the lender, and he is in a state of abundance regarding it, then lending 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 الَّذِينَ هُمْ عَنْ صَلَاتِهِمْ سَاهُونَ الَّذِينَ هُمْ يُرَاءُونَ وَيَمْنَعُونَ الْمَاعُونَAnswer: Wail: a word of punishment, discipline, and severe warning,And it was said: It is a valley in Hellfire for the praying ones who are heedless of their prayer,Meaning: Those who delay the prayer from its time, such as praying Fajr after the sun has risen, praying Zuhr at the time of 'Asr, and praying 'Asr at the time of Maghrib, and so on.
So the one who takes the prayer out of its time is considered heedless of it,and a waster of it, as in the other verse:
But there came after them successors who neglected prayer and pursued desires; so they are going to meet evil -
فَخَلَفَ مِنْ بَعْدِهِمْ خَلْفٌ أَضَاعُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَاتَّبَعُوا الشَّهَوَاتِ فَسَوْفَ يَلْقَوْنَ غَيًّاIndeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers a decree of specified times.
إِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ كَانَتْ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ كِتَابًا مَوْقُوتًاand His saying, the Exalted:
Those who make show [of their deeds]
الَّذِينَ هُمْ يُرَاءُونَThey perform righteous deeds not seeking the Face of Allah, but rather seeking that people praise them, like the one who gives charity in order for people to praise him, or prays, or seeks knowledge, or performs any act of worship, not out of desire for obedience and reward, but rather wanting people to praise him and speak well of him. This is showing off (riya'), and this nullifies the deed,As He the Exalted and Majestic said:
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."
فَمَنْ كَانَ يَرْجُوا لِقَاءَ رَبِّهِ فَلْيَعْمَلْ عَمَلًا صَالِحًا وَلَا يُشْرِكْ بِعِبَادَةِ رَبِّهِ أَحَدًاThe greatest thing I fear for you is minor shirk (associating partners with Allah). He was asked about it, and he said: Showing off.
أخوف ما أخاف عليكم الشرك الأصغر، فسئل عنه، فقال: الرياءAnd it is a severe danger, and it is among the characteristics of the hypocrites;Because they, as Allah the Exalted said:
Indeed, 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 الصَّلَاةِ قَامُوا كُسَالَى يُرَاءُونَ النَّاسَ وَلَا يَذْكُرُونَ اللَّهَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًاSo showing off (riya') is a dangerous disease and a terrible illness, and it is obligatory for the Muslim to make his deed sincere for Allah Mighty and Majestic, and not to intend behind it any showing off (riya') or reputation.
And as for those who withhold al-Ma'un: The meaning of al-Ma'un here is lending; because lending to the needy is an act of obedience and kindness for which a person is rewarded. So the one who withholds lending from the needy, while there is no harm to him in lending it, is subject to this great warning.
And al-Ma'un has been interpreted to include the measure, the axe, the rope, the bucket, and everything people need for their matters which they are compelled to. So lending to the needy, if it does not result in harm to the lender, and he is in a state of abundance regarding it, then lending it is an act of obedience, and withholding it is what is warned against in this noble verse.