Revealed in Makkah, Surah Al-Ma'un (The Small Kindnesses) defines the true nature of disbelief as social injustice and religious hypocrisy. It criticizes those who reject the Day of Judgment by mistreating orphans and failing to feed the poor. It warns those who perform prayers only to be seen by others while refusing to show basic, small kindnesses.
Transliteration
Araayta allathee yukaththibu bialddeeni
Translation
Have you considered him who denies the religion
Exposes the hypocrisy of those who treat religion as a superficial ritual while their hearts are devoid of compassion: targeting anyone who scoffs at the Day of Judgment.
Transliteration
Fathalika allathee yaduAAAAu alyateema
Translation
It is he who mistreats the orphan
Identifies the core crimes of spiritual fraud: violently pushing away and mistreating vulnerable orphans and refusing to organize or encourage feeding the hungry.
Transliteration
Wala yahuddu AAala taAAami almiskeeni
Translation
And does not encourage the feeding of the poor
Transliteration
Fawaylun lilmusalleena
Translation
So woe to those who pray
Pronounces divine woe upon those who perform mechanical prayers ('Musallin') while being totally heedless of their prayer's moral purpose ('Sahun'), praying merely to be seen and praised by people ('Yura'un').
Transliteration
Allatheena hum AAan salatihim sahoona
Translation
Those who are heedless of their prayers
Transliteration
Allatheena hum yuraoona
Translation
Those who put on the appearance
Transliteration
WayamnaAAoona almaAAoona
Translation
And withhold the assistance
Condemns those who withhold 'Al-Ma'un'—refusing to lend small everyday neighborhood necessities (such as a cooking pot, salt, an axe, or basic tools) to those in need.