Surah Al-Ma'un 107:1
سُورَةُ المَاعُونِ · Meccan · Verse 1 of 7
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ أَرَءَيْتَ ٱلَّذِى يُكَذِّبُ بِٱلدِّينِ
Translation
[Prophet], have you considered the person who denies the Judgement?
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Worldly Mirror
This opening verse of Surah al-Ma'un, "أَرَءَيْتَ ٱلَّذِى يُكَذِّبُ بِٱلدِّينِ" (Ara'ayta allathee yukaththibu bil-deen), asks us, "Have you seen the one who denies the Recompense?" This is not a mere question for information but a profound rhetorical query, inviting astonishment and deep reflection, as al-Munir notes. Allah, the Speaker, addresses Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and through him, all who ponder this verse, urging us to consider the state of those who reject fundamental truths.
What the Word Means
The crucial term here is "ٱلدِّينِ" (al-Din). Scholars like al-Munir, Ibn al-Jawzi, and Israr Ahmad clarify that it refers to the accountability, judgment, and reckoning of the Hereafter, including resurrection and divine recompense for deeds. To "deny al-Din" is to reject the very idea that our actions in this life will have consequences in a life to come, and that we will stand before Allah for judgment.
Mirror to the Self
When we look into the worldly mirror of this verse, it first reflects on our inner selves, our *nafs*. Dr. Israr Ahmad powerfully explains that denying accountability in the Hereafter essentially frees a person from the constraints of right and wrong, lawful and unlawful. Without the belief in a final reckoning, one might adopt a philosophy of "live for today, for there is no tomorrow," focused solely on immediate gratification. This internal state of disbelief shapes one's character, potentially leading to heedlessness in worship and a general lack of goodness, as Tazkirul Quran highlights. The verse challenges us to examine the firmness of our own belief in the Hereafter and how it truly influences our daily choices and priorities.
Impact on Relationships and Community
The denial of "al-Din" doesn't remain an abstract intellectual position; it manifests in tangible actions towards others. While the subsequent verses detail these actions, this initial verse sets the stage by showing that a lack of belief in accountability profoundly impacts our relational and communal rings. Sayyid Qutb emphasizes that true faith, *iman*, is not just a verbal affirmation or outward rituals. It is a mental and spiritual revolution that *must* produce compassionate and kind actions towards fellow human beings. If the heart truly believes in Allah's judgment, it would be impossible to turn away the needy or neglect the vulnerable. This verse, therefore, acts as a spiritual diagnosis for us, prompting us to ask if our belief in the Hereafter translates into practical care for our families, neighbors, and the broader society. It suggests that a community where the belief in "al-Din" is weak will inevitably see a rise in indifference towards the poor, the weak, and the marginalized, mirroring the characteristics described later in the surah.
Sources: al-Munir (Wahba al-Zuhayli), Tazkirul Quran, Ibn al-Jawzi (Zad al-Masir), Israr Ahmad (Bayan ul Quran), Sayyid Qutb (Fi Zilal al-Quran)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Al-Ma'un 107:1 is discussed in 6 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Al-Ma'un 107:1 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.