حَـٰفِظُوا۟ عَلَى ٱلصَّلَوَٰتِ وَٱلصَّلَوٰةِ ٱلْوُسْطَىٰ وَقُومُوا۟ لِلَّهِ قَـٰنِتِينَ 238
Translations
Maintain with care the [obligatory] prayers and [in particular] the middle [i.e., ʿaṣr] prayer and stand before Allāh, devoutly obedient.
Transliteration
Hafizu 'ala as-salawati wa as-salatu al-wusta wa qumu lillahi qanitin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the believers to safeguard and maintain all prayers, with particular emphasis on the middle prayer (as-salah al-wusta), while standing before Allah in full obedience and humility. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir interpret this as a directive to preserve the five daily prayers with excellence, with scholarly consensus that 'the middle prayer' refers to Asr, though some scholars mention Fajr. The command to stand 'qanitin' (in obedience/submissiveness) emphasizes the spiritual quality required during prayer—complete concentration and reverence before the Divine.
Revelation Context
Revealed in Madinah, this ayah is part of Surah Al-Baqarah's section establishing Islamic laws and obligations for the Muslim community. It comes within the broader context of instructions regarding prayer timing and conduct, emphasizing the centrality of Salah as the second pillar of Islam and a distinguishing practice of the Muslim ummah.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The most burdensome prayers for the hypocrites are the Fajr and Isha prayers, and if only they knew the rewards of these prayers, they would come to them even if they had to crawl' (Sahih Bukhari 644). Additionally, 'Guard the prayers, especially the middle prayer' is referenced in relation to this ayah's emphasis on As-Salah Al-Wusta (Sunan Abu Dawud, An-Nasa'i).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that prayer is not merely a ritual but a sacred trust requiring constant vigilance, punctuality, and sincere devotion. In today's fast-paced world, it reminds us to prioritize our relationship with Allah by establishing firm, focused prayers that serve as anchors for spiritual development and moral guidance.
Related Ayahs
ٱلَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَٰلَهُم بِٱلَّيْلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ سِرًّا وَعَلَانِيَةً فَلَهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ وَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ
Those who spend their wealth [in Allāh's way] by night and by day, secretly and publicly - they will have their reward with their Lord. And no fear will there be concerning them, nor will they grieve.
زُيِّنَ لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَيَسْخَرُونَ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ۘ وَٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوْا۟ فَوْقَهُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَرْزُقُ مَن يَشَآءُ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ
Beautified for those who disbelieve is the life of this world, and they ridicule those who believe. But those who fear Allāh are above them on the Day of Resurrection. And Allāh gives provision to whom He wills without account.
وَمِنْ حَيْثُ خَرَجْتَ فَوَلِّ وَجْهَكَ شَطْرَ ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْحَرَامِ ۚ وَحَيْثُ مَا كُنتُمْ فَوَلُّوا۟ وُجُوهَكُمْ شَطْرَهُۥ لِئَلَّا يَكُونَ لِلنَّاسِ عَلَيْكُمْ حُجَّةٌ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ مِنْهُمْ فَلَا تَخْشَوْهُمْ وَٱخْشَوْنِى وَلِأُتِمَّ نِعْمَتِى عَلَيْكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ
And from wherever you go out [for prayer], turn your face toward al-Masjid al-Ḥarām. And wherever you [believers] may be, turn your faces toward it in order that the people will not have any argument against you, except for those of them who commit wrong; so fear them not but fear Me. And [it is] so I may complete My favor upon you and that you may be guided,
وَإِذَا لَقُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ قَالُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا وَإِذَا خَلَا بَعْضُهُمْ إِلَىٰ بَعْضٍ قَالُوٓا۟ أَتُحَدِّثُونَهُم بِمَا فَتَحَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْكُمْ لِيُحَآجُّوكُم بِهِۦ عِندَ رَبِّكُمْ ۚ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ
And when they meet those who believe, they say, "We have believed"; but when they are alone with one another, they say, "Do you talk to them about what Allāh has revealed to you so they can argue with you about it before your Lord?" Then will you not reason?