THE INTERPRETATION OF SURAH AL-MA’UN: AN TEMATIC STUDY
Keywords:
Surah Al-Ma’un, objective interpretation, ethical valuesAbstract
This study examines the interpretation of Surah Al-Ma’un using an objective methodology aimed at shedding light on the profound meanings and lessons derived from this chapter. The study begins with an introduction to the Surah, which is one of the short Meccan chapters containing powerful messages related to social ethics and responsibility toward others.
The study focuses on analyzing the vocabulary and linguistic structures in the Surah, such as the meaning of "Al-Ma’un" and its implications in the context of offering assistance and kindness to people. Additionally, it addresses the verses describing the hypocrites who outwardly display religiosity but fail to fulfill the rights of Allah and His servants, particularly in matters of prayer, honoring orphans, and helping the needy.
The key conclusion of the study is that the overarching message of Surah Al-Ma’un is that denial of accountability and recompense is the root of all vile character traits and a primary cause of great sins. The Surah emphasizes the importance of honoring orphans, caring for the poor, encouraging others to do the same, being diligent in prayer, maintaining sincerity in all acts of worship, and engaging in good deeds, including offering small assistance such as lending utensils, buckets, or books. Allah (Glorified be He) condemns those who fail to perform such acts.
The commentators have extracted numerous benefits from the verses of this remarkable Surah, varying in the extent of their elaboration. This study organizes and categorizes these benefits according to the order of the Surah’s verses. Among the greatest lessons of this Surah is that neglecting the rights of the Creator inevitably leads to neglecting the rights of His creation.
References
Ibn Abd al-Rahim, Abd al-Mun'im, Ahkam al-Quran, ed. Taha bin Ali, Dar Ibn Hazm, Beirut - Lebanon, 1st ed., 1191 AH - 9336 CE.
Al-Wahidi, Asbab al-Nuzul, ed. Kamal Basyuni, Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 1st ed., 1111 AH.
Al-Dawsari, Munirah, Asma’ Suwar al-Quran al-Karim wa Fada’iluha, Markaz Dar Ibn al-Jawzi, 1st ed., 1196 AH.
Al-Shanqiti, Muhammad al-Amin (d. 1020 AH), Adwa’ al-Bayan fi Idah al-Quran bi al-Quran, Dar al-Fikr, Lebanon, (n.d.), 1113 AH - 1223 CE.
Al-Jaza’iri, Abu Bakr, Aysar al-Tafasir, Madinah: Maktabat al-Ulum wa al-Hikam, 5th ed., 1191 AH.
Al-Sa’di, Taysir al-Karim al-Rahman fi Tafsir Kalam al-Mannan, ed. Abd al-Rahman al-Luwayhiq, Mu’assasat al-Risalah, 1st ed., 1193 AH.
Al-Qurashi, Ahmad Abd Allah, Al-Bahr al-Madid fi Tafsir al-Quran al-Majid, ed. Hasan Abbas Zaki, Cairo, 2nd ed., 1112 AH.
Ibn al-Zubayr, Al-Burhan fi Tanasub Suwar al-Quran al-Karim, ed. Muhammad Sha’bani, Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, Morocco, 1113 AH.
Al-Khazin, Al-Ta’wil fi Ma’ani al-Tanzil, ed. Muhammad Ali Shahin, Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 3rd ed., 1111 AH.
Ibn Ashur, Muhammad al-Tahir, Al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir, al-Dar al-Tunisiyyah, Tunisia, (n.d.), 1291 CE.
Ibn Arafah, Muhammad, Tafsir Ibn Arafah, ed. Jalal al-Asyuti, Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Lebanon, 1st ed., (n.d.).
Al-Wahidi, Ali bin Ahmad, Al-Tafsir al-Basit, ed. Research Department, Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University, 1st ed., (n.d.).
Ibn Kathir, Isma’il bin Umar, Tafsir al-Quran al-Azim, ed. Sami Salamah, Dar Taybah, 2nd ed., 1193 AH - 1222 CE.
Al-Khatib, Abd al-Karim Yunus, Al-Tafsir al-Qurani li al-Quran, Dar al-Fikr al-Arabi, Cairo, Egypt, (n.d.).
Al-Maturidi, Muhammad bin Muhammad, Tafsir al-Maturidi wa Ta’wilat Ahl al-Sunnah, Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 1st ed.
Al-Maragi, Ahmad bin Mustafa, Tafsir al-Maragi, Maktabat Mustafa al-Halabi, Cairo, 1063 AH - 1216 CE.
Al-Nasafi, Abd Allah bin Ahmad, Tafsir al-Nasafi: Madarik al-Tanzil wa Haqa’iq al-Ta’wil, ed. Yusuf Ali Badawi, Dar al-Kalim al-Tayyib, Lebanon, 1st ed., 1112 AH - 1229 CE.
Al-Tabari, Jami’ al-Bayan fi Ta’wil al-Quran, ed. Ahmad Muhammad Shakir, Mu’assasat al-Risalah, 1193 AH.
Al-Qurtubi, Al-Jami’ li Ahkam al-Quran, ed. Ahmad al-Barduni, Dar al-Kutub al-Misriyyah, Cairo, 3rd ed., (n.d.).
Al-Samin al-Halabi, Al-Durr al-Masun fi ‘Ulum al-Kitab al-Maknun, Dar al-Qalam, Damascus, (n.d.), (n.d.).
Al-Suyuti, Jalal al-Din, Al-Durr al-Manthur fi al-Tafsir bi al-Ma’thur, ed. Abd Allah bin Abd al-Muhsin al-Turki, Hajar for Research, Cairo, 1st ed., 1191 AH.
Al-Alusi, Ruh al-Ma’ani fi Tafsir al-Quran al-Azim wa al-Sab’ al-Mathani, ed. Ali Abd al-Bari Atiyyah, Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 1st ed., 1113 AH.
Al-Naysaburi, al-Hasan bin Muhammad, Ghara’ib al-Quran wa Ragha’ib al-Furqan, Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Lebanon, 1st ed., 1116 AH.
Al-Qannuji, Abu al-Tayyib Muhammad Siddiq, Fath al-Bayan fi Maqasid al-Quran al-Karim, ed. Abd Allah al-Ansari, Al-Maktabah al-Asriyyah, Sidon, Beirut, 1st ed., 1119 AH - 1229 CE.
Al-Zamakhshari, Mahmud bin Amr bin Ahmad, Al-Kashshaf ‘an Haqa’iq Ghawamid al-Tanzil, Dar al-Kitab al-Arabi, Lebanon, 3rd ed., 1119 AH.
Al-Qasimi, Muhammad Jamal al-Din, Mahasin al-Ta’wil, ed. Muhammad Basil, Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Lebanon, 1st ed., 1119 AH.
Al-Biqa’i, Burhan al-Din bin Umar, Masa’id al-Nazar li al-Ishraf ‘ala Maqasid al-Suwar, Riyadh: Maktabat al-Ma’arif, 1st ed., 1139 AH.
Al-Biqa’i, Burhan al-Din bin Umar, Nazm al-Durar fi Tanasub al-Ayat wa al-Suwar, Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Lebanon, 1st ed., 1113 AH - 1223 CE.
Al-Razi, Fakhr al-Din, Mafatih al-Ghayb, Dar Ihya’ al-Turath al-Arabi, Lebanon, 3rd ed., 1193 AH.
Badawi, Abd al-Rahman, Scientific Research: Its Foundations and Writing Method, Beirut: Dar al-Qalam, 1986.
Izzat, Darwazah Muhammad, Al-Tafsir al-Hadith: Murattab Hasab Tartib al-Nuzul, (n.d.), Dar Ihya’ al-Kutub al-Arabiyyah, Cairo, 1090 AH.
