What Is Surah Maun?
Surah Al-Ma’un (سورة الماعون) is the 107th chapter of the Quran. It contains seven verses and appears in Juz 30.
The word Al-Ma’un is often understood as small acts of assistance or useful everyday things people share with others.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Surah name | Al-Ma’un (الماعون) |
| Surah number | 107 |
| Number of verses | 7 |
| Juz | 30 |
| Main themes | Prayer, sincerity, charity, kindness, and accountability |
| Revelation | Commonly classified as Makkan, with scholarly differences about its revelation history |
You can read and listen to Surah Al-Ma’un on Quran.com.
Surah Maun in Arabic
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
أَرَأَيْتَ الَّذِي يُكَذِّبُ بِالدِّينِ
فَذَٰلِكَ الَّذِي يَدُعُّ الْيَتِيمَ
وَلَا يَحُضُّ عَلَىٰ طَعَامِ الْمِسْكِينِ
فَوَيْلٌ لِلْمُصَلِّينَ
الَّذِينَ هُمْ عَنْ صَلَاتِهِمْ سَاهُونَ
الَّذِينَ هُمْ يُرَاءُونَ
وَيَمْنَعُونَ الْمَاعُونَ
Surah Maun Transliteration
Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Raheem
- Ara’ayta alladhee yukadhdhibu bid-deen
- Fadhalika alladhee yadu”ul-yateem
- Wa la yahuddu ‘ala ta’amil-miskeen
- Fawaylun lil-musalleen
- Alladheena hum ‘an salatihim sahoon
- Alladheena hum yura’oon
- Wa yamna’oonal-ma’oon
Transliteration is an approximate pronunciation guide. For correct Quran recitation, listen to a qualified reciter and learn the Arabic sounds directly.
Surah Maun English Translation
The following is a commonly used English rendering of the meaning:
- “Have you seen the one who denies the Recompense?”
- “For that is the one who drives away the orphan,”
- “And does not encourage the feeding of the poor.”
- “So woe to those who pray,”
- “[But] who are heedless of their prayer—”
- “Those who make show [of their deeds],”
- “And withhold [simple] assistance.”
You can compare translations and listen to the recitation at Quran.com.
What Does Al-Maun Mean?
The word Al-Ma’un appears in the final verse:
وَيَمْنَعُونَ الْمَاعُونَ
Classical commentators have explained it in different but related ways. Some interpreted it as ordinary household items that people lend to one another. Others included obligatory charity, such as Zakah, among its meanings.
The shared lesson is that withholding assistance reflects a failure of generosity and concern for others.
For a deeper explanation, see Tafsir Ibn Kathir on Surah Al-Ma’un.
Tafsir of Surah Maun: Verse-by-Verse Explanation
Verse 1: Remembering Accountability Before Allah
“Have you seen the one who denies the Recompense?”
The Surah begins by referring to someone who rejects the Day of Judgment and accountability before Allah.
The following verses describe behaviors associated with that rejection.
This reminds us that belief is not only something we express verbally. It should influence our choices and how we treat others.
Verse 2: Treating Orphans With Kindness
“For that is the one who drives away the orphan.”
The verse condemns harsh treatment of orphans.
An orphan may already be experiencing loss and vulnerability. Rather than offering compassion, the person described in the verse pushes them away.
Elsewhere, Allah commands:
“So as for the orphan, do not oppress him.”
For parents, this is an opportunity to explain that kindness is especially important when someone is vulnerable or needs support.
Verse 3: Caring for People in Need
“And does not encourage the feeding of the poor.”
Notice that the verse does not mention only feeding someone personally. It also condemns failing to encourage others to provide food.
Helping people in need is a shared responsibility.
A child may not have money to donate, but they can learn to share, participate in family charity activities, and recognize when someone needs help.
Verses 4–5: Taking Salah Seriously
“So woe to those who pray, [but] who are heedless of their prayer.”
These verses contain a serious warning.
Classical tafsir discusses neglect of prayer, including failing to give it the care and attention it deserves. The warning should not be reduced to the occasional distraction that someone experiences while trying to pray sincerely.
Prayer is more than a series of movements. It is an act of worship that deserves commitment and sincerity.
For further interpretation, consult Tafsir Ibn Kathir on Surah Al-Ma’un.
Verse 6: The Danger of Showing Off
“Those who make show [of their deeds].”
This verse warns against riya’, performing acts of worship to gain people’s admiration rather than seeking Allah’s pleasure.
Imagine helping someone and immediately wanting everyone to know.
The good action may still benefit another person, but it is important to examine our intentions.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught:
“Actions are according to intentions.”
A helpful question for both adults and children is:
Would I still want to do this good deed if nobody knew about it?
Verse 7: Small Acts of Kindness Matter
“And withhold [simple] assistance.”
Surah Maun ends with a warning against refusing assistance.
That ending is meaningful.
After discussing accountability, prayer, sincerity, and care for vulnerable people, the Surah brings our attention to everyday generosity.
Helping a neighbor, sharing something useful, offering food, or making someone’s task easier may seem small.
But these actions reveal how our beliefs influence our character.
Five Important Lessons From Surah Maun
Surah Al-Ma’un teaches lessons that Muslims can apply throughout everyday life.
1. Faith and character belong together. Our relationship with Allah should influence how we treat His creation.
2. Vulnerable people deserve compassion. The Surah specifically warns against mistreating orphans and neglecting people in need.
3. Prayer requires sincerity and care. Salah should not become an outward habit disconnected from sincere worship.
4. Intentions matter. Good deeds should be performed for Allah, not simply for recognition.
5. Small acts of kindness have value. We do not need to wait for a major opportunity to help someone.
These lessons are especially meaningful for children who are beginning to understand the Quran beyond memorization.
How to Teach Surah Maun to Kids: A 5-Day Activity Plan
Children may memorize Surah Maun quickly, but understanding its message takes conversation and practice.
This five-day plan gives parents a simple way to connect the Surah with real life.
| Day | Activity | What your child learns |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Listen to Surah Maun together and discuss its meaning | Quran recitation and understanding |
| Day 2 | Talk about orphans and choose a kind action to support someone | Compassion |
| Day 3 | Prepare food or participate in a family donation activity | Caring for people in need |
| Day 4 | Do one good deed privately without seeking praise | Sincerity |
| Day 5 | Recite the Surah and discuss what changed during the week | Reflection and application |
Day 1: Listen and Ask Questions
Listen to the Surah together.
Then ask your child:
“What do you think Allah wants us to learn from these verses?”
Younger children may need simple explanations. Older children can discuss how prayer, charity, and sincerity are connected.
Day 2: Practice Compassion
Explain that an orphan is a child whose father has passed away, in the Islamic legal sense.
Discuss why someone experiencing loss may need additional care and support.
Choose a practical, age-appropriate act of kindness together.
Day 3: Make Helping Others a Family Habit
Invite your child to help prepare a donation or select food to give to people in need.
Explain that Surah Maun teaches us not only to help others but also to encourage generosity.
Day 4: Do a Good Deed Without Recognition
Challenge your child to do something helpful without announcing it.
They might tidy a shared space, help a sibling, or make a family member’s day easier.
Later, discuss why doing something good for Allah’s sake matters.
Day 5: Recite, Reflect, and Remember
Ask your child to recite Surah Maun.
Then discuss three questions:
- What did we learn about prayer?
- How can we help someone who needs us?
- What good habit would we like to continue?
The goal isn’t to finish five activities. It’s to help your child recognize the Surah’s teachings in everyday situations.
How to Memorize Surah Maun
With only seven verses, Surah Maun is a manageable chapter for beginners and children.
Try this simple method:
- Listen to the first verse from a reliable reciter.
- Repeat it slowly, paying attention to pronunciation.
- Recite it without looking.
- Move to the next verse and repeat the process.
- Connect the verses gradually.
- Review the full Surah regularly.
You can use the Surah Al-Ma’un audio recitation on Quran.com for listening practice.
Children also benefit from a qualified Quran teacher who can correct pronunciation, explain Tajweed rules, and help them develop confidence in recitation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Surah Maun
What number is Surah Maun?
Surah Al-Ma’un is chapter 107 of the Quran.
How many verses are in Surah Maun?
Surah Maun contains seven verses.
Which Juz is Surah Maun in?
It appears in Juz 30, the final Juz of the Quran.
Is Surah Maun Makki or Madani?
It is commonly classified as a Makkan Surah, although scholars have differed regarding its revelation history and some of its verses.
What is the main message of Surah Maun?
Its central message is that sincere worship should be accompanied by compassion, generosity, and responsible treatment of others.
What are the benefits of reading Surah Maun?
Reading and studying Surah Maun offers guidance about sincerity, prayer, accountability, and helping others. Claims about special rewards for reciting it a particular number of times should not be accepted without authentic evidence.
Help Your Child Understand the Quran Beyond Memorization
A child might memorize Surah Maun in a few lessons.
But the lessons of kindness, sincerity, and responsibility can stay with them for years.
At IQRA Network, our one-on-one Quran classes help students work on recitation, Tajweed, memorization, and understanding the Quran.
Because learning a Surah should be more than reaching its final verse.
It should help children build a meaningful connection with the words they recite.
Explore IQRA Network’s Online Quran Classes →
