وَيَمنَعونَ الماعونَ

But deny aid.

EXEGESIS

Māʿūn is derived from the root word maʿn which literally means things with little value. The form of the word māʿūn is an inflection usually used to denote either hyperbole or instrument. In the case of the former, it would mean aiding with significantly small amenities; and in the case of the latter, it would means helping with small items.

EXPOSITION

The fifth and final characteristic of those who reject retribution is that they deny assisting others even by small items. Māʿūn refers to small and low value items that such people deny others; naturally, they would not lend a helping hand to others when it comes to greater things.‎‎^{‎‎‎[1]Nemuneh, 27/361.}

Tabatabai presents a more general meaning for māʿūn and states that it is any action or thing which is done or given to a needy person and fulfils a need in his life, such as lending, giving a gift, and so forth.‎‎^{‎‎‎[2]Mizan, 20/634.}

Human beings are social creatures and live in communities where they need to interact with one another. Aiding one another, whether it is towards friends, colleagues, neighbours, or relatives reinforces the fabric of society and helps relationships to be strengthened. It allows humans to start thinking about others rather than only themselves, and moves them away from being selfish to being selfless. Therefore, it is essential that others in society are assisted in whatever capacity possible.

It can be seen that those who deny retribution, both on an individual as well as social level, are usually ignorant and fall short of their duties. On an individual level, as discussed in verses 4-6, they do not have a strong relationship with God, and on a social level, as explained in verses 2, 3, and 7, they are negligent and careless towards other people. 

INSIGHTS FROM HADITH

The Messenger of God is reported to have said: ‘The items that you give and receive from one another amongst yourselves is māʿūn, whether they are small or large.’‎‎^{‎‎‎[3]Suyuti, 6/400.}

Abū Baṣīr narrates from Imam al-Ṣādiq (a) regarding the meaning of this verse: ‘It is a loan that you lend, a good that you do, an item for the house which you lend, and amongst it is zakat.’^{‎‎‎[4]Burhan, 5/729; Furūʿ al-Kāfī, 3/499.}

In another tradition it has been narrated: ‘Whoever denies necessary small items and goods (māʿūn) from his neighbours, God denies him goodness in the hereafter.’‎‎^{‎‎‎[5]Nur, 5/679.}

Imam Ali (a) is reported to have said that māʿūn is the obligatory zakat.‎‎^{‎‎‎[6]Tabrisi, 10/835.}

REVIEW OF TAFSĪR LITERATURE

A range of different meanings have been suggested by commentators for māʿūn. Ṭūsī mentions that anything which has benefit is māʿūn.‎‎^{‎‎‎[7]Tibyan.} Sayyid Hāshim Baḥrānī, discussing what is meant by ‘aid’, states: ‘Light, fire, dough, and similar items which are the necessities of life are referred to as māʿūn.’‎‎^{‎‎‎[8]Burhan, 5/729.} 

Although there are different instances and interpretations for māʿūn, it seems that the explanation given by Tabatabai in al-Mīzān gives a general and comprehensive meaning of the word which includes the range of different meanings and examples presented.

[1] Nemuneh, 27/361.
[2] Mizan, 20/634.
[3] Suyuti, 6/400.
[4] Burhan, 5/729; Furūʿ al-Kāfī, 3/499.
[5] Nur, 5/679.
[6] Tabrisi, 10/835.
[7] Tibyan.
[8] Burhan, 5/729.