'Have you seen who denies Our religion, the orphan, the needy and the show off?' (Sura Al Maun)

posted by:

Islamic Reflections (Facebook)

June 19, 2012

Image credit: Islamic Reflections

Surah Al-Maun (Small Kindness) – Brief Tafsir

from “In The Shade Of The Quran” – Sayyid Qutb

Chapter 107: Verses 1-7

This surah brings forth the fundamental truth intrinsic in the nature of the Islamic faith, the enormous benefit it offers to all humanity and the abundant blessings with which Allah favored mankind when He sent them His last Message. “Have you seen him who denies Our religion? It is he who harshly repels the orphan and does not urge others to feed the needy.” The surah starts with a question addressed to all who can “see”, generating suspense and holding their attention in order to make them discover the target and subject of the surah. Ah! Who is this creature identified by the Qur’an as the one who denies the religion of Islam? Hence, the answer: “It is he who harshly repels the orphan and does not urge others to feed the needy.” This definition of the disbelievers may sound surprising when compared with the traditional definition of faith but this is the core of the whole matter. Indeed the one who denies the faith is he who wickedly repels the orphan, humiliating him and hurting his feelings! And who does not care for the needy or their welfare.

Next, Allah offers a practical illustration of what is meant above: “Woe to those who pray, but are heedless of their prayers.” These verses contain Allah’s invocation against, or a threat of destruction to those who offer prayers but are careless about them. Who exactly are such? They are those “who put on a show of piety but refuse to give even the smallest help to others,” those who perform prayers but do not aptly meet their requirements. They execute the mechanical aspects and pronounce the verbal formulae of prayers but their hearts are never alive to them, nor are they nourished by praying.

The essence and purpose of prayer and its component parts (recitation, supplication and exaltation of Allah) are never present in their souls. Muslims are required to offer their prayers regularly, having in mind that their prayers are a manifestation of their servitude to Allah alone. Thus, prayer leaves no result in those who are neglectful and inattentive to it. Consequently they refuse to be kind or helpful to their fellow beings and deny the slightest charity to any of the servants of Allah. From all these, we gather the purpose behind what Allah demands of His servants when He instructs them to believe in, and worship Him. He seeks no benefit thereof for Himself, as He is All-Affluent, but all He cares for is their own welfare and prosperity, purification of their hearts and happiness in their lives. Allah wishes human life to be elevated, happy, based on pure motives and characterized by mutual compassion, brotherhood and purity of hearts and behaviour.

The dangers of showing off (HYPOCRISY)

Image credit: Xenia (Islamic Reflections)/UnitedStanzWeAreOne

Posted by:

Islamic Reflections (Facebook page)

June 7 2012

There are three signs of a show-off

1. He is lazy when alone
2. active when with people
3. and does more work when he is praised for it and less when blamed for it

So be careful when doing a good deed. Remember for whom you should be doing it. Remember your purpose.

---

Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala mentions in the Qur’an:

“When they stand up for prayer, they stand up unwillingly, to be seen by the people, and they do not remember Allah except a little.” [4:142]

He mentions:

“Woe to the worshippers who are unmindful of their prayer those who want to be seen (at worship), yet refuse small kindnesses.” [107:4-7]

And again:

“O, you who believe, do not cancel out your charity by reminders (of your own good deeds) and by offending (the recipients) like one who spends his wealth to be seen by the people.” [18:110]

The Prophet Muhammad salaAllahu a’alayhi wa salam said:

“If anyone causes his deeds to be heard of, Allah will make him heard of (unfavourably), and if anyone makes hypocritical display, Allah will make a display of him.” [HADITH]

He salaAllahu a’alayhi wa salam also said:

“The greatest fear I have about you [Muslims] is minor shirk. That is, doing good deeds for show. On the day when Allah will reward people for their deeds, He will tell them ‘Go to those people for whose attention and praise you did these deeds, and see if they will reward you.” [HADITH]

Allah is the all-Knowing and is aware of what is truly in your heart.

Do your good deeds understanding that Allah is the all-Seeing and He is the only one that needs to see it.


credit: Xenia (Islamic Reflections)
http://www.facebook.com/IslamicReflections