Surah Al-Ma'un critiques the Quraysh tribe for their neglect of the poor and mistreatment of orphans despite the blessings they've received from Allah. It highlights the importance of both prayer and charitable actions, criticizing those who pray insincerely or neglect their responsibilities to aid the vulnerable in society. The surah emphasizes the balance between individual faith and social justice, asserting that true belief requires actions reflecting mercy and compassion.

1. Surat Al-Maun
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Created by: Banan Mahmaljy Obeid

2. BACKGROUND:
In the previous Surah “Quraysh,” Allah described the safety and blessings he gave
the people of Quraysh because of the duaa of their father Ibrahim.
The Surah described how Quraysh should be acting as the care-takers of the Kaaba.
In this Surah, Al-Maun, Allah describes how Quraysh used to act. They had the power to do whatever they
wanted and nobody could stop them.

3. “Did you see the one who lies against the religion?”
*Allah is talking to Prophet Muhammad:
“Did you see the one (Quraysh) who lies against the religion?”
Even after all the blessings they’ve been given?
Even after their hearts believed it was the truth….
#1
*This could be talking to a specific enemy of Islam (ie...Abu Jahl, or Abu Lahab) but also to
the enemies in general.

4. And that is the one who mistreats the orphans
*Orphans represent those who are weak, helpless, and who have no support.
Allah always defends the orphan in the Quran! The Prophet (S) himself was an orphan.
They are the ones who need the MOST mercy. What kind of human being would mistreat
an orphan? The same one who denies the truth he believes in his own heart- the heart
becomes rusty because it denied the Akhira…
When you deny being held accountable for your actions, you will do any despicable act.
Once the heart becomes hard, the mercy disappears from it, and it becomes easy to push
around the orphans and steal from them.
#2

5. And does NOT encourage feeding the poor
Quraysh were the leaders of their society and their job was to serve their community: help
those in need, fix the problems of homelessness and poverty. Instead of fighting for the
rights of the poor, they kept the money to themselves and filled their own pockets.
Helping the poor isn’t a favor we do upon them, it’s actually their right upon us.
We owe that to them. Allah asks us to give the poor from the money He gave us.
#3

6. And those who pray (regularly) are in destruction
This Ayah is meant to grab our attention. Why is salah mentioned with the word “destruction”?
What kind of crimes can be done during prayer?
Let’s go back to our father Prophet Ibraheem. He made a special duaa that all his lineage will be of those
who establish prayer. He prayed that this would be passed on from generation to generation. But we have
corrupted the prayer. We have made it ugly.
HOW???
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7. The ones who neglect their prayers.
#5
1. This refers to people
who plan their events,
plan their day without
keeping salah in mind.
2. This refers to people who
even when they DO pray they
are thinking about
everything except Allah and
they rush through it.
They play video games all day & salah
time passes and they don’t care.
They’re at the mall and salah time
passes and they don’t care.
Salah? No
big deal...
The commercial
is almost done...I
better hurry!

8. The ones who show off...
This refers to the ones who pray only because people are
watching- it’s all a show.
Their intentions are not sincere.
The hypocrites of Quraysh used to pretend to pray so everyone
would believe they were true Muslims.
#6
This Ayah can also apply to us, when we elongate our prayers just
because we want others to say we are religious. Or we cry during our
prayers but we make sure everyone sees our tears.
When we are home alone we miss our prayers or do them very quickly,
but when others are around, we perfect them.

9. And they won’t help out with the smallest things.
Maun:
Small things you give to help
others.
#7
In Surah Quraysh, Allah reminded the people that He is the one who provided
them with food. Despite this, they did not share those blessings with the poor.

10. Themes of the Surah:
The Surah began by talking
about crimes against Allah
Then switched to crimes
against people
Our religion is Balanced.
Both are important to Allah.

11. “I dont pray ,but I give to the poor” “ I don’t give to the poor,
but I pray all the time”
Strengthening our Iman requires working on
our relationship with both
ALLAH AND THE PEOPLE
There are 2 types of people.