The surah Al-Mā‘ūn (“Small Kindnesses”) is a Meccan surah of 7 verses. It was revealed to expose religious hypocrisy and social indifference among the Quraysh. The word al-mā‘ūn literally means “assistance” or “small acts of charity,” referring to simple gestures of kindness that hypocrites neglect to offer.
According to Ibn Kathīr and Al-Qurṭubī, this surah was revealed about a Meccan notable known for praying ostentatiously while neglecting orphans and the needy. It condemns those who perform acts of worship to be seen, without sincerity or compassion.
Main Teachings and Key Insights
The surah Al-Mā‘ūn links genuine faith to social compassion and sincerity in worship. It teaches that true religion extends beyond ritual to moral responsibility and empathy. Its main lessons include:
- Neglecting orphans and the poor reveals a heart devoid of faith. (verses 1–3)
- Condemnation of hypocritical prayer: those who pray without mindfulness or mercy. (verses 4–5)
- Denial of daily kindness: refusing small acts of help or communal generosity betrays disbelief. (verses 6–7)
This surah emphasizes that true faith manifests through justice, mercy, and sincerity. The Prophet ﷺ said: “He who does not show mercy to people will not be shown mercy by Allah.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)
Structure and Main Themes
- Verses 1–3: Portrait of one who denies faith—repelling the orphan and refusing to feed the poor.
- Verses 4–6: Condemnation of those who pray heedlessly or for show.
- Verse 7: Rejection of mā‘ūn—the small acts of charity that sustain social harmony.
The tone is moral and accusatory, exposing the gap between outward religiosity and moral corruption.
Key Verse
The key verse of the surah is verse 4:
فَوَيْلٌ لِّلْمُصَلِّينَ
So woe to those who pray—
Why is this verse key?
- It opens the condemnation of false worshippers—those who perform prayer without sincerity or faith.
- It reminds that prayer has value only when it transforms conduct and fosters compassion.
- It serves as a universal warning: worship devoid of sincerity and ethics leads one away from God, not closer to Him.
In summary, Al-Mā‘ūn teaches that true religion rests on sincere faith, mindful prayer, and social solidarity. It denounces empty ritualism and calls believers to live a compassionate and active faith, in the spirit of the Prophet ﷺ.