Surah Al-Ma'un 107:4
سُورَةُ المَاعُونِ · Meccan · Verse 4 of 7
فَوَيْلٌۭ لِّلْمُصَلِّينَ
Translation
So woe to those who pray
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
The Severity of "Woe"
The verse opens with "فَوَيْلٌۭ لِّلْمُصَلِّينَ" (Fawaylun lil-musalleen), declaring "Woe to those who pray." The word "ويل" (wail) is a powerful, terrifying declaration in Arabic. As Imam al-Razi notes, it is used in the Quran for severe crimes, such as in Surah al-Mutaffifin ("Woe to the defrauders") or al-Humazah ("Woe to every backbiter, slanderer"). This opening word immediately signals a grave warning and a terrible punishment for the individuals described.
Connecting the Traits
The opening letter *fa* (فَ) in "فَوَيْلٌ" is significant. It acts as a bridge, connecting this severe warning directly to the preceding verses. As Ibn Ashur explains, this *fa* indicates a logical consequence and causation. It suggests that the behavior described in this verse (being a certain kind of "pray-er") is directly linked to the characteristics of the one who denies the Day of Judgment, repels the orphan, and neglects the poor. It is not an isolated condemnation but a further description of the same problematic character.
Who are "The Pray-ers"?
Perhaps the most striking aspect of the wording is that the warning of "Woe" is directed at "المصلين" (al-musalleen), literally "the pray-ers." Why would such a dire threat be for those who pray? Scholars like Ibn Ashur and al-Zamakhshari highlight that this is an instance of *tehakkum*, meaning irony or sarcasm. It's not a condemnation of prayer itself, but a severe critique of those who *appear* to pray or *claim* to pray, while their actions or intentions contradict the true spirit of prayer.
Instead of simply continuing with a pronoun like "woe to him" (referring to the denier of religion from previous verses), the Quran uses the explicit term "المصلين." Ibn Ashur explains this choice as "إظهار في مقام الإضمار," which means revealing a specific description where a pronoun would typically suffice. This rhetorical choice draws sharp attention to their outward performance of prayer as another blameworthy trait, not a virtue. It is as if Allah is saying: "Woe to *these particular* individuals who label themselves 'pray-ers' but are far from what true prayer entails." This sets the stage for the next verse, which clarifies exactly *what kind* of pray-ers are being condemned: those who are truly disconnected *from* their prayers.
Sources: al-Jalalayn, Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Al-Ma'un 107:4 is discussed in 8 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 107:4 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.