- This phrase translates to “these people prevent al-Ma’un”.
Meaning of Ma’un:
Ma’un refers to something that is small, easy and not a big deal if we lose it. For example, someone asks us for salt, a cup of water, or a neighbor asks for an extra spoon etc.
Hadith from Sahih Al-Bukhari
Narrated ‘Adi bin Hatim (radi allahu anhu) heard the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) saying: “Save yourself from Hell-fire even by giving half a date-fruit in charity.”
The Virus of Selfish Leadership
What Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) is teaching here is that these people (politicians) are selfish, and they are not interested in giving small things. Not only that, but these people have also created a culture, i.e. they created an entire society, where no one likes to give anything to anyone. When the leadership cannot be trusted, then it spreads like a virus and affects the entire society. When society becomes like this, how would anyone take care of an orphan or the needy.
Meaning of Ayat #7
These people prevent giving even something that is small, easy and it is not a big deal if they lose it.