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
لِيَكْفُرُوا۟ بِمَآ ءَاتَيْنَـٰهُمْ وَلِيَتَمَتَّعُوا۟ ۖ فَسَوْفَ يَعْلَمُونَ
So that they will deny what We have granted them, and they will enjoy themselves. But they are going to know.
أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ كَيْفَ يُبْدِئُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيدُهُۥٓ ۚ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ يَسِيرٌ
Have they not considered how Allāh begins creation and then repeats it? Indeed that, for Allāh, is easy.
وَلُوطًا إِذْ قَالَ لِقَوْمِهِۦٓ إِنَّكُمْ لَتَأْتُونَ ٱلْفَـٰحِشَةَ مَا سَبَقَكُم بِهَا مِنْ أَحَدٍ مِّنَ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
And [mention] Lot, when he said to his people, "Indeed, you commit such immorality as no one has preceded you with from among the worlds.
وَمَن جَـٰهَدَ فَإِنَّمَا يُجَـٰهِدُ لِنَفْسِهِۦٓ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَغَنِىٌّ عَنِ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
And whoever strives only strives for [the benefit of] himself. Indeed, Allāh is Free from need of the worlds.