Surah 107
Al-Māʿūn
الماعون
7 verses · Meccan
Key structural observations
- Araʾayta calls attention to the one denying Recompense. Fa-dhālika connects this portrait with the orphan pushed away, then with failing to encourage feeding the poor (1–3).
- The warning to the muṣallīn is immediately qualified by alladhīna hum ʿan ṣalātihim sāhūn. Singular alladhī becomes plural; the passage concerns neglect towards prayer (1–2, 4–5).
- Two occurrences of alladhīna hum connect neglect with display. Araʾayta and yurāʾūn share the root of seeing but contrast the call to recognise with action performed to be seen (1, 5–6).
- Yurāʾūn is followed by yamnaʿūna l-māʿūn. The portrait connects the gaze sought with help withheld; māʿūn can be service, a useful loan or a right due from wealth (6–7).
- Prayer stands between the orphan pushed away and the poor person neglected, then help refused. From dīn to māʿūn, the horizon of the account meets concrete responsibility towards others (1–7).