Ma'un
/ˈmɑːʕuːn/noun
An Arabic Islamic term meaning aid, kindness, or useful assistance, especially the everyday help people give one another.
Did you know?In Qur’an 107:7, *al-ma’un* is traditionally interpreted as small acts of assistance—or even ordinary household necessities—that hypocrites refuse to share.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Semitic (reconstructed)
Proto-Semitic
*ʕ-w-n
“A reconstructed root associated with helping, supporting, or assisting; the reconstruction is comparative rather than directly attested.”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
ʿ-w-n (عون)
“The consonantal root connected with aid, assistance, and support.”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
maʿūn (ماعون)
“Help, assistance, or useful goods lent to another person.”
7th Century CE
Qur'anic Arabic
al-māʿūn (الماعون)
““The small kindnesses” or ordinary assistance, appearing in Qur’an 107:7.”
20th–21st Century
English
maʿūn / ma'un
“A transliterated Islamic term used in English writing about the Qur’an, Islamic ethics, and charitable conduct.”