ٱلَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَهُم بِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ هُمْ يُوقِنُونَ 3
Translations
Who establish prayer and give zakāh, and of the Hereafter they are certain [in faith].
Transliteration
Alladhina yuqimuun as-salata wa yu'tun az-zakata wa hum bil-akhirati hum yuqninun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the characteristics of true believers who establish prayer (salah), give obligatory charity (zakat), and possess firm conviction in the Hereafter. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, these three qualities—ritual worship, financial obligation, and eschatological faith—represent the complete commitment of a believer to both vertical (divine) and horizontal (social) dimensions of Islam. Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that certainty (yaqin) in the Hereafter is the driving force that motivates the performance of the first two obligations.
Revelation Context
Surah An-Naml is a Meccan chapter that addresses core Islamic beliefs and the reality of the Day of Judgment. This ayah appears at the beginning of the surah as part of the introduction defining the qualities of those who believe in the Qur'an and its signs. It establishes the foundational characteristics required of believers before the surah proceeds to discuss prophethood and divine authority.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, 'The best of deeds is to believe in Allah and His Messenger, then to strive in the cause of Allah with your wealth and your life' (Sunan Ibn Majah). Additionally, 'Prayer is the pillar of religion' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi) relates directly to the emphasis on establishing salah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that genuine faith is not merely intellectual belief but must be manifested through consistent practice—both in our relationship with God (prayer) and our responsibility to society (charity). For modern believers, it reminds us that conviction in the Hereafter should be the driving motivation behind our material sacrifices and spiritual discipline in this world.