ٱلَّذِينَ يَذْكُرُونَ ٱللَّهَ قِيَـٰمًا وَقُعُودًا وَعَلَىٰ جُنُوبِهِمْ وَيَتَفَكَّرُونَ فِى خَلْقِ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ رَبَّنَا مَا خَلَقْتَ هَـٰذَا بَـٰطِلًا سُبْحَـٰنَكَ فَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ 191
Translations
Who remember Allāh while standing or sitting or [lying] on their sides and give thought to the creation of the heavens and the earth, [saying], "Our Lord, You did not create this aimlessly; exalted are You [above such a thing]; then protect us from the punishment of the Fire.
Transliteration
Alladhīna yadhkurūnallāha qiyāman wa quʿūdan wa ʿalā junūbihim wa yatafakkarūn fī khalqi as-samāwāti wa-l-ardh ribbānā mā khalaqta hādhā bāṭilan subḥānaka fa-qinā ʿadhāba an-nār
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the characteristics of the mindful believers who remember Allah in all states—standing, sitting, and lying down—and who reflect upon the creation of the heavens and earth as evidence of Allah's perfect wisdom and power. Their contemplation leads them to reject the notion that creation is purposeless (bāṭil), and they glorify Allah while seeking His protection from Hell. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this verse portrays both dhikr (remembrance) and tafakkur (reflection) as complementary acts of worship that lead to fear of Allah and righteous conduct.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Ali 'Imran's discussion of believers' qualities and their relationship with Allah. It is part of a passage describing those who possess taqwā (God-consciousness) and are mentioned immediately before the ayah about Allah's response to their supplication. The broader surah addresses the People of the Book and establishes principles of faith, making this ayah illustrative of the inner spiritual state of true believers.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best worship is reflection (tafakkur)' (reported by Al-Bayhaqi). Additionally, the hadith 'The most excellent prayer after the obligatory prayers is the night prayer' (Sahih Muslim) relates to the constant remembrance of Allah in different states mentioned in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that true faith integrates both constant remembrance of Allah and intellectual reflection on His creation, regardless of one's physical state or circumstances. Modern believers should cultivate both heart-remembrance and mind-engagement with the signs of Allah's creation, allowing this holistic worship to purify their souls and strengthen their fear of the Hereafter.
Related Ayahs
وَمِنَ ٱلَّيْلِ فَسَبِّحْهُ وَأَدْبَـٰرَ ٱلسُّجُودِ
And [in part] of the night exalt Him and after prostration [i.e., prayer].
فَمَن شَآءَ ذَكَرَهُۥ
Then whoever wills will remember it.
يَسْـَٔلُونَكَ مَاذَآ أُحِلَّ لَهُمْ ۖ قُلْ أُحِلَّ لَكُمُ ٱلطَّيِّبَـٰتُ ۙ وَمَا عَلَّمْتُم مِّنَ ٱلْجَوَارِحِ مُكَلِّبِينَ تُعَلِّمُونَهُنَّ مِمَّا عَلَّمَكُمُ ٱللَّهُ ۖ فَكُلُوا۟ مِمَّآ أَمْسَكْنَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَٱذْكُرُوا۟ ٱسْمَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ ۖ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَرِيعُ ٱلْحِسَابِ
They ask you, [O Muḥammad], what has been made lawful for them. Say, "Lawful for you are [all] good foods and [game caught by] what you have trained of hunting animals which you train as Allāh has taught you. So eat of what they catch for you, and mention the name of Allāh upon it, and fear Allāh." Indeed, Allāh is swift in account.
فَإِذَا قَضَيْتُم مَّنَـٰسِكَكُمْ فَٱذْكُرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ كَذِكْرِكُمْ ءَابَآءَكُمْ أَوْ أَشَدَّ ذِكْرًا ۗ فَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يَقُولُ رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا وَمَا لَهُۥ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ مِنْ خَلَـٰقٍ
And when you have completed your rites, remember Allāh like your [previous] remembrance of your fathers or with [much] greater remembrance. And among the people is he who says, "Our Lord, give us in this world," and he will have in the Hereafter no share.