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Islamic prayer

Surah Maun

Surah Maun in Arabic, in English letters and with its meaning.

  • 7 verses
  • Under a minute to recite
  • From the Qur'an

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ أَرَءَيْتَ ٱلَّذِى يُكَذِّبُ بِٱلدِّينِفَذَٰلِكَ ٱلَّذِى يَدُعُّ ٱلْيَتِيمَوَلَا يَحُضُّ عَلَىٰ طَعَامِ ٱلْمِسْكِينِفَوَيْلٌ لِّلْمُصَلِّينَٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ عَن صَلَاتِهِمْ سَاهُونَٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ يُرَآءُونَوَيَمْنَعُونَ ٱلْمَاعُونَ

Text: The Qur'an, Arabic text in the Uthmani script (reading of Hafs from Asim). Meaning: The Meaning of the Glorious Koran, translated by Marmaduke Pickthall, 1930.
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  1. بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

    Bismi Allahi ar‑Rahmani ar‑Rahim

    In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

  2. 1

    أَرَءَيْتَ ٱلَّذِى يُكَذِّبُ بِٱلدِّينِ

    Ara'ayta alladhi yukadhdhibu bid‑din

    Hast thou observed him who belieth religion?

  3. 2

    فَذَٰلِكَ ٱلَّذِى يَدُعُّ ٱلْيَتِيمَ

    Fadhalika alladhi yadu''u al‑yatim

    That is he who repelleth the orphan,

  4. 3

    وَلَا يَحُضُّ عَلَىٰ طَعَامِ ٱلْمِسْكِينِ

    Wa la yahuddu 'ala ta'ami al‑miskin

    And urgeth not the feeding of the needy.

  5. 4

    فَوَيْلٌ لِّلْمُصَلِّينَ

    Fawaylun lil‑musallin

    Ah, woe unto worshippers

  6. 5

    ٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ عَن صَلَاتِهِمْ سَاهُونَ

    Alladhina hum 'an salatihim sahun

    Who are heedless of their prayer;

  7. 6

    ٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ يُرَآءُونَ

    Alladhina hum yura'un

    Who would be seen (at worship)

  8. 7

    وَيَمْنَعُونَ ٱلْمَاعُونَ

    Wa yamna'una al‑ma'un

    Yet refuse small kindnesses!

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When it is recited

Many Sunni Muslims recite Surah Maun during daily prayers or personal Qur'an reading. In the tradition, its message encourages sincere worship, care for those in need and willingness to offer everyday help. It is not tied to a particular season.

  • Daily prayers
  • Qur'an reading
  • Personal reflection

Where it comes from

Surah Maun comes from the Qur'an, which Muslims believe was revealed by Allah to the Prophet Muhammad. Its name is commonly understood as “small kindnesses” or “everyday assistance.” It condemns neglect of orphans and the poor, heedless prayer, showing off and withholding help.

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Questions about Surah Maun

How many verses does Surah Maun have?

Surah Maun has 7 verses.

What does Maun mean?

Maun is commonly translated as “small kindnesses” or “everyday assistance,” including useful things people lend or share.

How long does it take to recite?

It can be recited in under a minute, though the pace varies with the reciter.

What is the main message of Surah Maun?

It warns against outward religious practice without sincerity or compassion. It calls attention to the treatment of orphans and the poor, and to the refusal of ordinary help.

Which language is Surah Maun in?

The original text is Arabic. The English letters help readers follow the Arabic pronunciation, while the meaning explains its message in English.

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