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
يَسْتَعْجِلُونَكَ بِٱلْعَذَابِ وَإِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ لَمُحِيطَةٌۢ بِٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ
They urge you to hasten the punishment. And indeed, Hell will be encompassing of the disbelievers
وَلَمَّآ أَن جَآءَتْ رُسُلُنَا لُوطًا سِىٓءَ بِهِمْ وَضَاقَ بِهِمْ ذَرْعًا وَقَالُوا۟ لَا تَخَفْ وَلَا تَحْزَنْ ۖ إِنَّا مُنَجُّوكَ وَأَهْلَكَ إِلَّا ٱمْرَأَتَكَ كَانَتْ مِنَ ٱلْغَـٰبِرِينَ
And when Our messengers [i.e., angels] came to Lot, he was distressed for them and felt for them great discomfort. They said, "Fear not, nor grieve. Indeed, we will save you and your family, except your wife; she is to be of those who remain behind.
وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يَقُولُ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ فَإِذَآ أُوذِىَ فِى ٱللَّهِ جَعَلَ فِتْنَةَ ٱلنَّاسِ كَعَذَابِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَئِن جَآءَ نَصْرٌ مِّن رَّبِّكَ لَيَقُولُنَّ إِنَّا كُنَّا مَعَكُمْ ۚ أَوَلَيْسَ ٱللَّهُ بِأَعْلَمَ بِمَا فِى صُدُورِ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
And of the people are some who say, "We believe in Allāh," but when one [of them] is harmed for [the cause of] Allāh, he considers the trial [i.e., harm] of the people as [if it were] the punishment of Allāh. But if victory comes from your Lord, they say, "Indeed, We were with you." Is not Allāh most knowing of what is within the breasts of the worlds [i.e., all creatures]?
وَقَالُوا۟ لَوْلَآ أُنزِلَ عَلَيْهِ ءَايَـٰتٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِۦ ۖ قُلْ إِنَّمَا ٱلْـَٔايَـٰتُ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ وَإِنَّمَآ أَنَا۠ نَذِيرٌ مُّبِينٌ
But they say, "Why are not signs sent down to him from his Lord?" Say, "The signs are only with Allāh, and I am only a clear warner."