Did Surat Al-Ma'un come down before or after the فرض (Divine Ordainment) of Salah (Prayer), and before or after the Hijra (Migration)?
The majority of scholars hold that Surat Al-Ma'un is Meccan, though some say part of it is Medinan. The context of the surah indicates its revelation after the obligation of prayer, due to the stern warning within it concerning negligence in prayer. It is also said that its beginning, up to the verse, "{the needy}", was revealed in Mecca, and the remainder in Medina, based on the interpretation that "{Woe to those who pray}" refers to the hypocrites. It is also said that it is Medinan, and was revealed concerning Abdullah ibn Ubayy ibn Salul, the hypocrite. According to this view, half of it is Meccan and half Medinan. It is also valid to interpret "those who pray" as referring to those obligated to pray, and their negligence of it as meaning its complete abandonment.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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