يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَقْرَبُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَأَنتُمْ سُكَـٰرَىٰ حَتَّىٰ تَعْلَمُوا۟ مَا تَقُولُونَ وَلَا جُنُبًا إِلَّا عَابِرِى سَبِيلٍ حَتَّىٰ تَغْتَسِلُوا۟ ۚ وَإِن كُنتُم مَّرْضَىٰٓ أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ أَوْ جَآءَ أَحَدٌ مِّنكُم مِّنَ ٱلْغَآئِطِ أَوْ لَـٰمَسْتُمُ ٱلنِّسَآءَ فَلَمْ تَجِدُوا۟ مَآءً فَتَيَمَّمُوا۟ صَعِيدًا طَيِّبًا فَٱمْسَحُوا۟ بِوُجُوهِكُمْ وَأَيْدِيكُمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَفُوًّا غَفُورًا 43
Translations
O you who have believed, do not approach prayer while you are intoxicated until you know what you are saying or in a state of janābah, except those passing through [a place of prayer], until you have washed [your whole body]. And if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women [i.e., had sexual intercourse] and find no water, then seek clean earth and wipe over your faces and your hands [with it]. Indeed, Allāh is ever Pardoning and Forgiving.
Transliteration
Ya ayyuha alladhina amanu la taqrabu as-salata wa-antum sukara hatta ta'lamu ma taqulun wa-la junuban illa 'abiri sabīl hatta taghtasilu. Wa-in kuntum marda aw 'ala safar aw ja'a ahad minkum min al-gha'it aw lamastum an-nisa fa-lam tajidu ma'an fa-tayammamu sa'idan tayyiban fa-msahu bi-wujuhikum wa-aydikum. Inna Allaha kana 'afuwwan ghafura.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes critical conditions for ritual purity and the performance of prayer (salah). It prohibits approaching prayer while intoxicated, commanding believers to understand what they recite, and forbids praying in a state of major ritual impurity (janabah) except when merely passing through until ablution is performed. The ayah then introduces tayammum (dry ablution with clean earth) as a valid substitute for water when water is unavailable due to illness, travel, or bodily impurity—demonstrating Allah's mercy and the practicality of Islamic law. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi emphasize that consciousness and clarity are fundamental to prayer's spiritual efficacy.
Revelation Context
This Medinan ayah was revealed in the context of establishing clear Islamic jurisprudence regarding purity and prayer etiquette in the developing Muslim community. The prohibition on intoxication reflects the gradual legislative process that would culminate in the complete prohibition of alcohol (5:90), while the provision for tayammum addresses the practical needs of believers in diverse circumstances.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (305): The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 'Tayammum is sufficient for the believer even if water is not found for ten nights.' Additionally, Sunan Ibn Majah records that the Prophet prohibited prayer while intoxicated, emphasizing the necessity of mental clarity during worship.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that authentic worship requires both physical purity and mental clarity—believers must approach prayer with awareness and reverence. It also exemplifies Islamic jurisprudence's flexibility and mercy, providing practical solutions (tayammum) for challenging circumstances while maintaining the principle that sincere obedience to Allah is always within reach.
Related Ayahs
إِن تُبْدُوا۟ خَيْرًا أَوْ تُخْفُوهُ أَوْ تَعْفُوا۟ عَن سُوٓءٍ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَفُوًّا قَدِيرًا
If [instead] you show [some] good or conceal it or pardon an offense - indeed, Allāh is ever Pardoning and Competent.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِذَا ضَرَبْتُمْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ فَتَبَيَّنُوا۟ وَلَا تَقُولُوا۟ لِمَنْ أَلْقَىٰٓ إِلَيْكُمُ ٱلسَّلَـٰمَ لَسْتَ مُؤْمِنًا تَبْتَغُونَ عَرَضَ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا فَعِندَ ٱللَّهِ مَغَانِمُ كَثِيرَةٌ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ كُنتُم مِّن قَبْلُ فَمَنَّ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْكُمْ فَتَبَيَّنُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرًا
O you who have believed, when you go forth [to fight] in the cause of Allāh, investigate; and do not say to one who gives you [a greeting of] peace, "You are not a believer," aspiring for the goods of worldly life; for with Allāh are many acquisitions. You [yourselves] were like that before; then Allāh conferred His favor [i.e., guidance] upon you, so investigate. Indeed Allāh is ever, of what you do, Aware.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا سَوْفَ نُصْلِيهِمْ نَارًا كُلَّمَا نَضِجَتْ جُلُودُهُم بَدَّلْنَـٰهُمْ جُلُودًا غَيْرَهَا لِيَذُوقُوا۟ ٱلْعَذَابَ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَزِيزًا حَكِيمًا
Indeed, those who disbelieve in Our verses - We will drive them into a fire. Every time their skins are roasted through, We will replace them with other skins so they may taste the punishment. Indeed, Allāh is ever Exalted in Might and Wise.
وَلَا تُؤْتُوا۟ ٱلسُّفَهَآءَ أَمْوَٰلَكُمُ ٱلَّتِى جَعَلَ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمْ قِيَـٰمًا وَٱرْزُقُوهُمْ فِيهَا وَٱكْسُوهُمْ وَقُولُوا۟ لَهُمْ قَوْلًا مَّعْرُوفًا
And do not give the weak-minded your property, which Allāh has made a means of sustenance for you, but provide for them with it and clothe them and speak to them words of appropriate kindness.