Small Kindnesses

Al Maun

Verses

Revelation

Makki

Period

Early Meccan

Surah No.

107 / 114

Overview

Al-Maun asks pointedly: do you see the one who denies the religion? It identifies him not by creed alone but by two behavioural markers: he drives away the orphan and does not encourage feeding the poor. The surah then turns to the insincere worshipper – those who pray but are heedless of their prayer, who pray for show, and who refuse to give small kindnesses (al-maun: daily utensils, small acts of help). This surah draws a direct line between theological denial and social cruelty, and between religious hypocrisy and petty meanness.

أسباب النزول

Occasion of Revelation (Asbab al-Nuzul)

The early Meccan occasion links the surah to prominent Meccans known for mistreating orphans and withholding from the poor. The second half, however, is considered by some scholars to address Madinan hypocrites, making this one of a few surahs possibly with dual revelation contexts. Whether entirely Meccan or mixed, the core message is unified: genuine faith is inseparable from social generosity and sincere worship.

Key Themes

Denial of the religion as manifest in treatment of the orphan and poorSocial cruelty as a theological symptomThe danger of prayer performed for show (riya)Heedlessness in worship as a mark of hypocrisyThe obligation of small, everyday acts of kindness and sharing

Notable Verses

107:1-3

“Have you seen the one who denies the religion? For that is the one who drives away the orphan and does not encourage the feeding of the poor.”

A revolutionary redefinition: denial of the religion (din) is demonstrated not only by rejecting theology but by mistreating the vulnerable. Social injustice is a form of kufr.