Surah 107. Al-Ma'un

1.

Seest thou one who denies the Judgment (to come)? ⁶²⁸¹

Din may mean either (1) the Judgment to come, the responsibility in the moral and spiritual world, for all actions done by men, or (2) Faith, Religion, the principles of right and wrong in spiritual matters, which often conflict with selfish desires or predilections. It is men who deny Faith or future responsibility, that treat the helpless with contempt and lead arrogant selfish lives.

2.

Then such is the (man) who repulses the orphan (with harshness)

3.

And encourages not the feeding of the indigent. ⁶²⁸²

The Charity or Love which feeds the indigent at the expense of Self is a noble form of virtue, which is beyond the reach of men who are so callous as even to discourage or forbid or look down upon the virtue of charity or kindness in others.

4.

So woe to the worshippers

5.

Who are neglectful of their Prayers ⁶²⁸³

True worship does not consist in the mere form of prayer, without the heart and mind being earnestly applied to seek the realisation of the presence of Allah, and to understand and do His holy Will.

6.

Those who (want but) to be seen (of men) ⁶²⁸⁴

Cf. iv. 142: "When they stand up to prayer, they stand without earnestness, to be seen of men, but little do they hold Allah in remembrance."

7.

But refuse (to supply) (Even) neighborly needs. ⁶²⁸⁵

Hypocrites make a great show of hollow acts of goodness, devotion, and charity. But they fail signally if you test them by little acts of neighbourly help or charity, the thousand little courtesies and kindnesses of daily life, the supply of needs which cost little but mean much.