ٱتْلُ مَآ أُوحِىَ إِلَيْكَ مِنَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ وَأَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ ۖ إِنَّ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ تَنْهَىٰ عَنِ ٱلْفَحْشَآءِ وَٱلْمُنكَرِ ۗ وَلَذِكْرُ ٱللَّهِ أَكْبَرُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا تَصْنَعُونَ 45
Translations
Recite, [O Muḥammad], what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allāh is greater. And Allāh knows that which you do.
Transliteration
Itlu maa uhiya ilayka mina al-kitabi wa-aqimi as-salata inna as-salata tanha 'an al-fahsha'i wa-al-munkari wa-la-dhikru Allah akbar wa-Allah ya'lamu ma tasna'un
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the Prophet (peace be upon him) to recite the Quran and establish the prayer, emphasizing that prayer serves as a safeguard against immorality and wrongdoing. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir highlight that prayer is a divine protection that purifies the soul and prevents one from committing sins, while the remembrance of Allah (dhikr) is described as the greatest benefit and ultimate purpose of prayer. The ayah concludes with a reminder that Allah is fully aware of all human actions, serving as an incentive for sincere obedience.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-'Ankabut (a Meccan surah revealed during the period of persecution in Mecca) and is part of a broader section addressing the Prophet's mission and the believers' responsibilities. The context emphasizes the spiritual and moral fortitude required during trials, with prayer presented as the primary means of sustaining faith and resisting temptation.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Prayer is the pillar of the religion' (Tirmidhi). Additionally, 'Whoever guards the five prayers, Allah will grant him light on the Day of Judgment' (Ibn Hibban), demonstrating prayer's protective and purifying role mentioned in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
Prayer is not merely a ritual obligation but a powerful spiritual tool that transforms the heart and protects believers from moral corruption; cultivating consistent prayer and remembrance of Allah should be central to one's daily life as the greatest source of meaning and moral strength.
Related Ayahs
ٱللَّهُ يَبْسُطُ ٱلرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِۦ وَيَقْدِرُ لَهُۥٓ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمٌ
Allāh extends provision for whom He wills of His servants and restricts for him. Indeed Allāh is, of all things, Knowing.
مَن كَانَ يَرْجُوا۟ لِقَآءَ ٱللَّهِ فَإِنَّ أَجَلَ ٱللَّهِ لَـَٔاتٍ ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ
Whoever should hope for the meeting with Allāh - indeed, the term [decreed by] Allāh is coming. And He is the Hearing, the Knowing.
وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱتَّبِعُوا۟ سَبِيلَنَا وَلْنَحْمِلْ خَطَـٰيَـٰكُمْ وَمَا هُم بِحَـٰمِلِينَ مِنْ خَطَـٰيَـٰهُم مِّن شَىْءٍ ۖ إِنَّهُمْ لَكَـٰذِبُونَ
And those who disbelieve say to those who believe, "Follow our way, and we will carry your sins." But they will not carry anything of their sins. Indeed, they are liars.
وَمَآ أَنتُم بِمُعْجِزِينَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ ۖ وَمَا لَكُم مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مِن وَلِىٍّ وَلَا نَصِيرٍ
And you will not cause failure [to Allāh] upon the earth or in the heaven. And you have not other than Allāh any protector or any helper.