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Mutual Relaionship
Introduction Surah Maa`oon Surah Kauthar Explanation Surah Maa`oon Seest thou one who denies reward and punishment [O Prophet!]. He it is who shoves the orphan and urges not the feeding of the poor.1 So woe be to these [priests of the Baitullaah] who pray being unmindful [to the essence] of their prayers; who put up a pretentious display [of worship], and are not even prepared to lend ordinary items of common use to others.2
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious,
the Ever Merciful.
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1. It is evident from
the context of this group that these verses portray the mean and petty
character of Abu Lahab. Two basic evils have particularly been mentioned
here: disbelief in the Hereafter, and maltreatment of the poor. The first
has corrupted his faith and the second his deeds. A person who does not
believe in the Hereafter is one who has not paid heed to the calls of his
conscience only to deny the most manifest of realities, while a person
who snubs and victimizes the deprived when he is, in fact, entrusted with
their well-being has sunk to the meanest level of humanity. It must be
kept in mind that at the time of revelation of the surah, Abu Lahab was
in charge of the Rifaadah (the treasury of the Baitullaah) and as such
was responsible for the welfare of the poor and needy of the society. Instead
of realizing his responsibility, he, as pointed out by these verses had
totally disgraced this sacred trust.
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