Tafsir of Surah Al-Masad

 

Name of the Surah

This surah is called al-Masad, palm-fiber because it mentions that a rope of palm fiber will be around the neck of the wife of Abu Lahab on the Day of Judgment to punish her for abusing Messenger Muhammad [peace be upon him]. Surah Al-Masad was revealed in Makkah. It contains five ayat. 

Relationship between Surah Al-Masad and Al-Kafirun

There is a relationship between these two surahs. Surah An-Nasr mentions that Allah will help and give victory to His Messenger Muhammad in the life of this world, and reward him immensely in the Hereafter. Surah Al-Masad refers to the severe punishment that the disobedient will suffer in the life of this world and the Hereafter. 

Most Important Topics Discussed in Surah Al-Masad 

Surah Al-Masad mentions the evil end awaiting Abu Lahab and his wife for abusing Messenger Muhammad. They would perish in the life of this world, die as disbelievers, and suffer severe punishment in Hell on the Hereafter.

Abdul Allah Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them, narrated that the following ayah was revealed: [26:214 And warn your clan, your nearest kin.] Then, Messenger Muhammad went out and ascended As-Safa Mountain, and cried saying, ‘O people!’ They said, ‘Who is that crying?’ They were told that he was Muhammad.’ Then, they gathered around him. Messenger Muhammad said, ‘O sons of so-and-so, O sons of so-and-so, O sons of so-and-so, O sons Abud Manaf, O sons of Abdul Al-Mutalib!’ Then, they gathered around him. He said, ‘If I were to inform you that cavalrymen are attacking you from the side of this mountain, will you believe me? They said, ‘We have never heard you telling a lie.’ He said, ‘I am truly a warner, coming to warn you of severe punishment.’ Then, Abu Lahab said, ‘Perish you. Have you gathered us for this news?’ Then, surah Al-Masad was revealed.’  

It was narrated that the wife of Abu Lahab heard that a revelation in the Quran was revealed about her husband. Then, she went to Messenger Muhammad, who was sitting beside al-Kaaba with Abu Bakr as-Sadiq. She was carrying a stone. When she stopped, Allah made her unable to see Messenger Muhammad. Thus, she said, ‘O Abu Bakr, I heard that your friend satirize me. By Allah, If I see him, I will hit his mouth with this stone.’ Then, she left. Abu Bakr said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, did she not see you?’ He said, ‘No, she could not see me. Allah made her unable to see me.’ 

English Translation of Surah Al-Masad

Revealed in Makkah, Contains Five Ayah

Bism-Allah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim

In the Name of Allah, the Giver of Mercy, the Most Merciful

111:1 Perish the hands of Abu Lahab, and perish he! 

111:2 His wealth avails him not, nor what he has earned. 

111:3 He will burn in a fire, blazing. 

111:4 And his wife, the carrier of the firewood. 

111:5 Upon her neck is a rope of palm fiber. 

Tafsir 

 111:1 Perish the hands of Abu Lahab, and perish he! 

Perish the hands of Abu Lahab and surely he perished because of his animosity to Messenger Muhammad and the truth that Allah revealed to him, namely, the Quran and Islam.

Ibn Zaid, may Allah have mercy on him, said, Abu Lahab said to Prophet Muhammad, ‘What shall I be given if I believe in your message, O Muhammad?’ Messenger Muhammad said, ‘You will be given as the Muslims are given.’ Abu Lahab said, ‘Shall I not have more than them?’ Messenger Muhammad said, ‘What do you want to be given?’ Abu Lahab said, ‘Perish this religion, perish. Shall I and those Muslims be the same?’ Then, Allah, Exalted be He, revealed, [111:1 Perish the hands of Abu Lahab, and perish he!] 

111:2 His wealth avails him not, nor what he has earned. 

The wealth of Abu Lahab will not avail him, nor what he has earned of the pleasures of the life of this world. They will not protect him against Allah’s severe punishment. 

111:3 He will burn in a fire, blazing. 

Abu Lahab will burn in the blazing fire of Hell for he used to abuse Messenger Muhammad and fight Islam and Muslims. 

111:4 And his wife, the carrier of the firewood. 

111:5 Upon her neck is a rope of palm fiber. 

Abu Lahab will burn in the blazing fire of Hell and his wife will burn in the blazing fire of Hell too, as she used to carry thorny firewood and put it on the path that Messenger Muhammad used to pass through. Furthermore, a rope made of palm fiber will be put around her neck to increase her punishment and humiliate her because she used to claim that she was a noblewoman in the life of this world.

Reflecting on surah al-Masad, one finds that it confirms the truthfulness of Messenger Muhammad. He informed that Abu Lahab and his wife would die as disbelievers, they would be miserable, and suffer severe punishment in Hell, which happened just as he informed. Abu Lahab and his wife died as disbelievers. 

Learned Lessons from Surah Al-Masad

• Surah Al-Masad mentions the severe punishment awaiting Abu Lahab and his wife because they disbelieved in Allah’s Oneness and abused Messenger Muhammad.

• Surah Al-Masad mentions that Abu Lahab would die as a disbeliever, which happened.

• Surah Al-Masad mentions that the wealth of Abu Lahab and his children would not avail him, which happened.

• A rope made of palm fiber will be put around the neck of the wife of Abu Lahab to increase her punishment in Hell as she used to put firewood on the way of Messenger Muhammad to abuse him. 

The Noble Quran English Translation of Al-Masad

The Noble Quran English Translation of Tafsir Ibn Kathir Surah Al-Masad

English Translation and Tafsir of Surah Al-Bayyinah

The Noble Quran Surah Yusuf English Translation and Tafsir 

 

Tafsir of Surah An-Nasr

 

Name of the Surah 

This surah is called An-Nasr, the help, the divine support, because it begins with ‘When the help (nasr) of Allah comes, and the victory.’ Surah An-Nasr was revealed in al-Madinah. It contains three ayat. 

It was narrated that when surah An-Nasr was revealed, Messenger Muhammad [peace be upon him] called his daughter Fatimah and said, ‘I have been informed of the time of my death.’ Thereupon, she cried and then laughed. She said, ‘He told me that he was informed of the time of his death; therefore, I cried. Then, he told me to be patient as I would be the first one of his family who would die after him; therefore, I laughed.’ 

Relationship between Surah An-Nasr and Al-Kafirun

Surah Al-Kafirun mentions that the disbelievers’ god differs from the believers’ God and that the disbelievers’ religion differs from the believers’ religion. Then, surah An-Nasr mentions that the religion of the disbelievers will end when the time of Allah’s help and victory comes. At that time, people will embrace Islam, the religion of Allah, in throngs. 

Most Important Topics Discussed in Surah An-Nasr

Surah An-Nasr mentions that the Muslims would be victorious over the disbelievers and take over Makkah when Allah’s help came. It also denotes that Islam would spread throughout the Arabian Peninsula and that people would embrace Islam in multitudes. When these events happened, the time of the death of Messenger Muhammad would come.

Allah commanded Messenger Muhammad to proclaim His praise and seek His forgiveness. 

 Abdul Allah Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them, said, ‘Umar Ibn al-Khattab used to let me sit with the noble elderly men, who participated in the battle of Badr. Some of them said to him, ‘Why do you allow this boy to sit with us though we have sons at his age? Thereupon, Umar said, ‘You know his high status.’ Then, Umar invited them one day and invited me. I think he did so to show them the degree of my knowledge. Then, Umar said to them, ‘What do you know about the meaning of the following ayat: [110:1 When the help of Allah comes, and the victory, 110:2 and you see people enter the religion of Allah in throngs,110:3 then proclaim the praise of your Lord and seek His forgiveness. Verily, He ever accepts repentance.] Then, some of them said, ‘Allah has commanded us to proclaim His praise and seek His forgiveness when His Help and victory comes.’ Some of them said, ‘We do not know what it means.’ And some of them did not say anything. Then, Umar said to me, ‘O son of Al-Abbas, ‘Do you have the same opinion?’ I said, ‘No.’ Thereupon, Umar said, ‘Thus, what is your opinion?’ I said, ‘This surah informs of the approaching of the time of the death of Messenger Muhammad [peace be upon him.’ Allah told him about it. When Allah’s help and victory over the people of Makkah comes, that will be a sign of approaching your death. Thus, proclaim the praise of your Lord and seek His forgiveness. Verily, He ever accepts repentance.’ Then, Umar said, ‘I do not know another meaning of it other than what you have just said.’ 

English Translation of Surah An-Nasr

Revealed in Al-Madinah, Contains Three Ayah

Bism-Allah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim

In the Name of Allah, the Giver of Mercy, the Most Merciful

110:1 When the help of Allah comes, and the victory, 

110:2 and you see people enter the religion of Allah in throngs,

110:3 then proclaim the praise of your Lord and seek His forgiveness. Verily, He ever accepts repentance. 

Tafsir 

An-Nasr means defeating the enemy and helping to achieve the desired goal. It refers to Allah’s help to His Prophet and Messenger Muhammad to defeat his enemies and help him to achieve victory over them.

Victory refers to the conquest of Makkah and defeating the disbelievers, which led to strengthening and raising the status of Islam, the religion of the truth, high in the Arabian Peninsula. 

O noble Messenger Muhammad, when Allah helps you and your companions to conquer Makkah, defeat the disbelievers, and see people embrace Islam in throngs, you should keep on proclaiming the praise of your Lord and seeking His forgiveness. Verily, Allah ever accepts the repentance of those who repent of their sins, seek His forgiveness, and perform righteous deeds for His sake.

Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, said, ‘Messenger Muhammad [peace be upon him] used to proclaim the praise of Allah, and seek His forgiveness frequently when bowing and prostrating in his prayer, as he was commanded in the Quran.’ 

Learned Lessons from Surah An-Nasr

• Allah deserves to be thanked for every blessing He gives His slaves. One of the greatest blessings on Messenger Muhammad and his nation is helping them to defeat the disbelievers and take over Makkah, where the sacred House of Allah, al-Kaaba, is located. 

• Causing people to embrace Islam in throngs is another blessing that Allah gave to His Messenger Muhammad.

• It is recommended to proclaim the praise of Allah and seek His forgiveness frequently, as one does not know when the time of his death comes. 

• Islam is the only true religion of Allah.

• When Allah gives one of His slaves a blessing, he should thank Him for it.

The Noble Quran English Translation and Tafsir of Surah An-Nasr

The Noble Quran Tafsir Ibn Kathir English Translation and Tafsir of Surah An-Nasr

The Noble Quran English Translation and Tafsir of Surah Al-Ma’un

The Noble Quran Surah Maryam English Translation and Tafsir

 

Methods of Transmission of Hadith

 

Concise Introduction to Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence Based on al-Waraqat By Imam al-Harmayn Al-Juwayni [Part 23]

‘Al- an’ana’ is derived from ‘an’an al-hadith’ i.e. narrating a report by saying: it is reported from so and so without mentioning whether the narrator heard the report by himself or not.

A report narrated in which there is ‘an’ana’ in the chain of transmission is a musand report and it is not called mursal except a narration that is narrated by an untrustworthy narrator. Moreover, the scholars mention some conditions that should be taken into consideration when applying this rule.

Expressions of Narration by Non-Companion of Messenger Muhammad 

1. The sheik (teacher) reads and the student listens. When narrating, the student will say, ‘haddthani, namely, he reported to me,’ or he will say, ‘akhbarni, he told me.’ 

2. The student reads while the sheik is listening, and the sheik will say, “Yes.” or say nothing. When narrating, the student says only ‘akhabarni, he told me.’ He should not say, ‘hadathani, namely, he reported to me, because this expression is used to indicate that the sheik is the one who reads. However, some scholars permit saying, ‘hadathani, he reported to me in this case.

3. The sheik gives the student permission to narrate the hadith without reading the hadith to him. The student will say, ‘Ajazani, namely, he gave me permission, or he to me ijaza. The student should not say akhbarani, namely, told me; because it will give a false impression that he read the hadith to the teacher though he did not do so. 

Concise Introduction to Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence Based on al-Waraqat By Imam al-Harmayn Al-Juwayni [Part 22]

English translation, and newfangled commentary on Imām al Ḥaramayn al Juwaynī’s Kitāb al Waraqāt fī uṣūl al fiqh

Imam Al-Juwayni

The Waraqat of Imam al-Haramayn al-Juwayni, a classical manual of Usul Al-Fiqh

The Noble Quran Surah Maryam English Translation and Tafsir

Tafsir of Surah Al-Kafirun

 

Name of the Surah 

It is called surah Al-Kafirun because Allah, Exalted be, commanded Messenger Muhammad [peace be upon him] to address the disbelievers and tell them that he will never worship the false gods that they worship besides Allah. This surah was revealed in Makkah. It contains six ayah.

Relationship between Surah Al-Kawthar and Surah Al-Kafirun

In surah al-Kawthar, which comes before surah Al-Kafirun according to the written copy of the Quran, Allah commanded Messenger Muhammad [peace be upon him] to worship Him alone sincerely. Then, He, Exalted be He, commanded him in surah Al-Kafirun to disown all false gods and explicitly inform the disbelievers that he would never worship their false gods and that he would worship Allah alone.

Most Important Topics Discussed in Surah Al-Kafirun

Surah Al-Kafirun puts the clear, final, separating limit between belief in Allah’s Oneness and disbelief, and between the believers and the disbelievers. The disbelievers asked Messenger Muhammad to make a compromise by worshipping their false gods for a year and they promised him to worship his God for a year. Then, Allah revealed this surah to end their false hopes and decide the matter between the believers and the disbelievers forever. 

It was narrated that Messenger Muhammad used to recite surah Al-Ikhlas and Al-Kafirun when praying the two units of prayer after completing going around al-Kaaba seven times. 

English Translation of Surah Al-Kafirun

Revealed in Makkah, Contains 6  Ayah

Bism-Allah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim

In the Name of Allah, the Giver of Mercy, the Most Merciful

109:1 Say, ‘O disbelievers,

109:2 I do not worship what you worship, 

109:3 nor do you worship what I worship. 

109:4 And I am not a worshipper of what you worship,

109:5 nor are you worshippers of what I worship. 

109:6 You have your religion and I have my religion.

Tafsir

It was narrated that the disbelievers of Makkah asked Messenger Muhammad to worship their false gods for a year and they promised him to worship his God for a year. Then, Allah revealed surah Al-Kafirun. 

O noble Messenger Muhammad, say to the disbelievers, ‘I do not worship your false gods now, nor do you worship my God now. And I am not going to worship your false gods in the future, nor are you going to worship my God in the future. 

The address is about specific individuals whom Allah, the All-Knowing, knew that they would never believe in His Oneness. Therefore, Allah commanded His Messenger Muhammad to make them despair of his worship of their false gods. That is because they hoped that he might accept their offer to worship his God for a year and that he would worship their false gods for a year. 

In surah Al-Kafirun, Allah makes the disbelievers lose hope of succeeding in their attempt to convince Messenger Muhammad to worship their false gods. 

In sum, there is no common point between the false gods of the disbelievers and the true God of the believers, and there is no common point between the deviant worship of the disbelievers and the true worship of the believers. The disbelievers worship false gods while the believers worship Allah alone, the true God, who deserves sincere worship. 

109:6 You have your religion and I have my religion.

O disbelievers, you have your religion that you follow, namely, disbelief in Allah’s Oneness, and I have my religion that I follow, namely, belief in Allah’s Oneness. You believe in your creed and I believe in my creed. On the Day of Judgment, you will see the result of following your religion and I will see the result of following my religion. There is no meeting point between your religion and my religion in the life of this world nor the Hereafter.

Learned Lessons from Surah Al-Kafirun

• Surah Al-Kafirun mentions that the creed of the disbelievers is different from the creed of the believers. The disbelievers deny Allah’s Oneness, while the believers believe in Allah’s Oneness.

• Surah Al-Kafirun mentions that the god of the disbelievers is different from the God of the believers. The gods of disbelievers are false gods that cannot benefit nor harm their worshippers, while the God of the believers is Allah, the only true God, who deserves sincere worship.

• The disbelievers have their religion that they follow and the believers have their religion that they follow. There will never be a meeting point between the religion of the disbelievers and the religion of the believers. 

The Noble Quran English Translation of Surah Al-Kafirun

The Noble Quran Tafsir Ibn Kathir Surah Al-Kafirun

The Noble Quran English Translation and Tafsir of Surah Al-Fil

The Noble Quran Surah Hud English Translation and Tafsir

 

Tafsir of Surah Al-Kawthar

 

Name of the Surah

This surah is called Al-Kawthar because it begins by [108:1 Verily, We have given you al-Kawthar…] Allah, Exalted be He, gave His Prophet and Messenger Muhammad the good news that He gave him al-Kawthar, namely, abundant good in the life of this world and the Hereafter, one of which is giving him Al-Kawthar river in Paradise. This surah was revealed in Makkah. It contains three ayat. 

Relationship between Surah Al-Kawthar and Surah Al-Ma’un

Surah Al-Ma’un, which comes before surah Al-Kawthar in the written copy of the Quran, mentions that the deniers of the recompense on the Day of Judgment are stingy, do not perform the prayer, like showing off, and refuse to offer even small kindness to fellow human beings.

Then, surah Al-Kawthar mentions that Allah gave Messenger Muhammad abundant good, and commanded him to perform the prayer sincerely, and sacrifice by slaughtering animals, such as a goat or a cow, for His sake, and feed the needy. 

Most Important Topics Discussed in Surah Al-Kawthar

• Referring to Allah’s blessing on His Prophet and Messenger Muhammad, as He gave him the great good news in the life of this world and the Hereafter, one of which giving him Al-Kawthar river in Paradise.

• Commanding Messenger Muhammad and his nation to constantly perform the prayer sincerely for the sake of Allah, and sacrifice animals to thank Allah for His countless blessings.

• Giving good news to Messenger Muhammad that Allah would give him victory over his enemies, as they did not deserve any good in the life of this world and the Hereafter. 

English Translation of Surah Al-Kawthar

Revealed in Makkah, Contains 3   Ayah

Bism-Allah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim

In the Name of Allah, the Giver of Mercy, the Most Merciful

108:1 Verily, We have given you al-Kawthar,

108:2 so pray to your Lord and sacrifice. 

108:3 Surely, he, who hates you, is the one cut off. 

Tafsir  

Anas Ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, said, ‘One day we were sitting with Prophet Muhammad [Peace be upon him]. He dozed and then raised his head smiling. We said to him, ‘What has made you laugh, O Messenger of Allah? Messenger Muhammad said, ‘It has been revealed to me a surah of the Quran now. [Verily, We have given you al-Kawthar, so pray to your Lord and sacrifice. Surely, he, who hates you, is the one cut off.] Then, he said, ‘Do you know what Al-Kawthar is?’ We said, ‘Allah and His Messenger know best.’ He said, ‘It is a river that my Lord has promised to give me in Paradise. Its vessels are more than the number of the planets. My nation will approach it on the Day of Judgment, but one of them will be taken away. Then, I will say, ‘O my Lord, he is one of my nation.’ He will say to me, ‘You do not know what he did after your death.’’ 

 In the Arabic language, al-Kawthar is derived from kathar, namely, abundant. The scholars differ about the meaning of al-Kawthar. The following are their opinions: 1) It is a river in Paradise. Anas Ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that Messenger Muhammad said, ‘While I was walking in Paradise I saw a river whose banks looks like hollowed domes of pearls. I asked Gabriel, ‘What is this?’ He said, ‘This is Al-Kawthar that Allah has given you.’ Lo! Sharp odor of musk comes out of its mud.’ 2) Al-Kawthar is the abundant good that Allah, Exalted be He, has given to His Prophet Muhammad. 3) It refers to knowledge and the Quran. 4) It refers to prophethood. 5) It refers to the basin that the followers of Messenger Muhammad will gather around on the Day of Judgment. 6) It refers to the multiplicity of the followers of Messenger Muhammad. 

 After mentioning the opinions of the scholars, Imam Muhammad al-Qurtubi said, ‘The correct opinion is that Al-Kawthar refers to the river and the basin that Allah has given to Messenger Muhammad in Paradise because authentic narrations support them. All other opinions mentioned about its meaning refer to the abundant good that Allah has given His Messenger Muhammad.’ 

108:1 Verily, We have given you al-Kawthar,

The ayah begins by confirming the good news to indicate its greatness. 

O noble Messenger Muhammad, We have given you al-Kawthar. It is a river and a basin in Paradise. These are some of the abundant good that We have given you. Thus, you and your nation should be delighted and take no notice of the meaningless speech that your enemies say about you and your religion. 

108:2 so pray to your Lord and sacrifice. 

O noble Messenger Muhammad, as We have given you these great blessings, you should always thank Us for them. You should sincerely and constantly perform the prayer, and slaughter sacrificial animals for Our sake. 

In surah al-An’am, Allah, Exalted be He, says, 6:162 Say, ‘Truly, my prayer, my sacrifice, my life, and my death, are for Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.’ 6:163 He has no partner. And thus I am commanded and I am the first of the Muslims. 

108:3 Surely, he, who hates you, is the one cut off. 

This is another good news to Messenger Muhammad [peace be upon him]. 

O noble Messenger Muhammad, he, who hates you, is the one cut off every good thing and is deprived of good reputation. 

It was narrated that al-As Ibn Wa’il used to say when Messenger Muhammad was mentioned, ‘Leave him. He is one who is cut off, namely, has no posterity. When he dies, he will be forgotten.’ Then, Allah, Exalted be He, revealed this surah. Abdul Allah Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him said, ‘Ka’b Ibn al-Ashraf came to al-Madinah. Then, the noble of Quraysh said to him, ‘You are their master. Do not you see this man, who has no posterity? He claims that he is better than us though we provide food and water for the pilgrims. Thereupon he said, ‘You are better than him.’ Thus, It was revealed, [Surely, he, who hates you, is the one cut off.’’ 

In sum, the disbelievers of Makkah believed that when Messenger Muhammad died, he would be forgotten and the message of Islam would be forgotten because his male descendants died when they were children. However, Messenger Muhammad and the message of Islam will never be forgotten until the Day of Judgment will take place. Rather, those who hate him and the message of Islam will be forgotten. 

Learned Lessons from Surah Al—Kawthar 

• Allah, the Generous, has given His beloved Prophet and Messenger Muhammad many blessings, among which is Al-Kawthar river in Paradise.

• The believers must constantly perform the prayer for Allah’s sake.

• The believers should sacrifice animals for Allah’s sake.

• Messenger Muhammad’s name will be always remembered and the message of Islam will remain until the Day of Judgment. On the other hand, those who hate Messenger Muhammad and the message of Islam will be forgotten.

The Noble Quran English Translation of Surah Al-Kawthar

The Noble Quran Tafsir Ibn Kathir English Translation Surah Al-Kawthar

The Noble Quran English Translation and Tafsir of Surah Al-Fil

The Noble Quran Surah Hud English Translation and Tafsir

 

Categories of Transmitted Hadith in Sunnah

 

Concise Introduction to Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence Based on al-Waraqat By Imam al-Harmayn Al-Juwayni [Part 22]

According to the continuity of the chain of narrators, Ahad reports are divided into two types:

a) Musnad 

b) Mursal

Musnad Report

Literally, musnad means ascribed, or attributed. 

Technically, musnad is a report that has a connected chain of transmission. If its chain transmission is connected to Messenger Muhammad [peace be upon him], it is called al-marfu’. For example, a report narrated by Malik from Naf' from Abdul Allah Ibn Umar from Messenger Muhammad. This report is musand because each of the narrators heard from the former narrator.

If its chain of transmission is connected to the companions of Messenger Muhammad, it is called al-mawquf.

For example, a report narrated by Malik from Naf’ from Messenger Muhammad. This report is called mawquf because Naf’ did not meet Messenger Muhammad and there is a missing narrator between Naf’ and Messenger Muhammad.

Mursal Report

Literally, mursal means something that is set free.

Technically, mursal is a report that its chain of transmission is disconnected. 

A mursal report is un-authoritative evidence except for these two types:

a) Mursal report attributed to the companions of Messenger Muhammad. It is a report narrated by a companion of Messenger Muhammad about things he did not directly hear, or see from Messenger Muhammad.  Murasl reports narrated by a companion of Messenger Muhammad are accepted since all companions of Messenger Muhammad are trustworthy and they narrate only from trustworthy people.

b) Mursal reports attributed to Sai’d Ibn al-Musayyb, who is one of the followers of the companions of Messenger Muhammad. They were investigated and found that his reports are attributed to Messenger Muhammad, namely, he narrated reports that he heard from companions of Messenger Muhammad. 

Concise Introduction to Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence Based on al-Waraqat By Imam al-Harmayn [Part 15]

Imam Al-Juwayni

English translation, and newfangled commentary on Imām al Ḥaramayn al Juwaynī’s Kitāb al Waraqāt fī uṣūl al fiqh

The Waraqat of Imam al-Haramayn al-Juwayni, a classical manual of Usul Al-Fiqh

English Translation and Tafsir of Surah Al-Ma’un (Small Kindness)

 

Name of the Surah

This surah is called Al-Ma’un, namely, small kindness, because those who refuse to give small kindness are reprimanded in it, just like those who are heedless of their prayers and the hypocrites are censured in it. In the Arabic language, Al-Ma’un means something that one borrows from his neighbors, such as a pot, salt, or needle. Those people are extremely selfish and hardhearted and they refuse to help others even by offering them small kindness that will not harm them in the least. Because of their avaricious souls, they decline to assist their fellow human beings even if it means offering them small kindness. 

Surah Al-Ma’un was revealed in Makkah. It contains seven ayat. 

Relationship between Surah Quraysh and Surah Al-Ma’un

Surah Al-Ma’un comes after surah Quraysh according to the written copy of the Quran, al-Mushaf. Allah, Exalted be He, censures those who are unthankful for His blessings in surah Quraysh, and He reprimands those who do not urge the feeding of the needy in this surah. 

Allah, Exalted be He, has commanded to worship Him alone in surah Quraysh, and He has criticized those who are heedless of their prayers and delay performing them at their proper times in this surah. 

Most Important Topics Discussed in Surah Al-Ma’un

In the beginning, surah Al-Ma’un censures the disbelievers in the recompense on the Day of Judgment. It mentions that they repulse the orphan though they should honor and help them as they have lost their parents. They also do not urge one another to feed the needy though they should help their fellow human beings. In sum, the disbelievers refuse to worship Allah, the Giver of all blessings and refuse to be kind to others. 

At the end of surah Al-Ma’un, the hypocrites, who pretend to be believers and hide disbelief are criticized. Surah Al-Ma’un mentions that they are heedless of the prayers, like showing off, and refuse to offer small kindness to others. Thus, they do not perform righteous deeds for Allah’s sake and are unkind to their fellow human beings. 

Those two parties are threatened with humiliation and severe punishment for their evil deeds. 

English Translation of Surah Al-Ma’un

Revealed in Makkah, Contains 7  Ayah

Bism-Allah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim

In the Name of Allah, the Giver of Mercy, the Most Merciful

107:1 Have you seen him who denies the Recompense?

107:2 That is he who repulses the orphan, 

107:3 and urges not the feeding of the needy.

107:4 So woe to those that pray

107:5 those who are heedless of their prayers, 

107:6 those who strive to be seen

107:7 and refuse to give small kindness. 

Tafsir

 107:1 Have you seen him who denies the Recompense?

The interrogation in the ayah is for astonishment at the behavior of the conduct of the disbelievers and the selfish people. The address is directed to Messenger Muhammad and those who are eligible for it. 

O noble Messenger Muhammad, have you seen him who denies the recompense on the Day of Judgment? He denies that he will be resurrected after death and recompensed for all his deeds on the Day of Judgment. 

107:2 That is he who repulses the orphan, 

107:3 and urges not the feeding of the needy.

He, who denies the recompense on the Day of Judgment, repulses the orphan and deprives him of his rights. Instead of being kind to the orphan and compensating him for losing his parents, he treats him harshly, which is a sign of the hardness of his heart. Moreover, this person does not urge the feeding of the needy because of his stinginess. 

In sum, the disbeliever in the recompense on the Day of Judgment has reached a great degree of shamelessness that his heart is merciless to the orphan and does not like to help the needy. 

107:4 So woe to those that pray

107:5 those who are heedless of their prayers, 

Woes to those that pray, but they are heedless of their prayers. They may delay it beyond their prescribed times, not fulfill their requirements, or be insincere when performing them, namely, they perform the prayer to show off and impress people. Severe punishment awaits those hypocrites if they die before repenting of these evil acts. 

It was narrated that [woe to that pray, those who are heedless of their prayers.] was revealed about the hypocrites because they hoped to be rewarded for their prayers, and did not fear punishment for not performing them. If they were with Messenger Muhammad, they would pray for showing off, and if they were not with him, they would not pray. Abdul Allah Ibn Mas’ud, may Allah be pleased with him, said, ‘By Allah, they did not refrain from praying. If they refrained from praying, they would be considered disbelievers. However, they did not perform the prayer at its prescribed time. Abdul Allah Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said, ‘The hypocrites used to delay performing the prayer beyond its prescribed time.’ 

107:6 those who strive to be seen

107:7 and refuse to give small kindness. 

When those who are heedless of their prayers perform the prayer, they do so to be seen by people. They also perform righteous deeds to be seen and praised by people. Moreover, they refuse to give small kindness to others and they refuse to lend them small household items such as kitchen utensils. 

Learned Lessons from Surah Al-Ma’un

• Criticizing the deniers of the recompense on the Day of Judgment.

• Repulsing the orphan and not urging others to feed the needy are wicked deeds.

• Severe punishment is awaiting those who delay performing the prayer beyond their prescribed times, do righteous deeds for showing off, and refrain from offering small kindness to their fellow human beings, which indicates that they have evil souls and hard hearts. 

• It is prohibited to delay performing the prayers beyond their prescribed times, but unintentional forgetfulness while praying is pardoned and can be mended by making prostration of forgetfulness. 

• The hypocrites pretend to be believers before the believers, but they hide disbelief in their hearts.

• Those who perform righteous deeds for showing off do them to be praised by others.

• Refraining to help people even by offering small acts of kindness is dispraised and deserves censure. 

The Noble Quran English Translation of Surah Al-Ma’un

The Noble Quran English Translation of Tafsir Ibn Kathir Surah Al-Ma’un

The Noble Quran English Translation and Tafsir of Surah Al-Humazah

The Noble Quran Surah an-Nahl English Translation and Tafsir