۞ مُنِيبِينَ إِلَيْهِ وَٱتَّقُوهُ وَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَلَا تَكُونُوا۟ مِنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ 31
Translations
[Adhere to it], turning in repentance to Him, and fear Him and establish prayer and do not be of those who associate others with Allāh
Transliteration
Munibina ilayhi wattaquh wa aqimu as-salata wa la takunu mina al-mushrikeen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands believers to turn back to Allah in repentance and obedience, fear Him, establish the prayer, and avoid associating partners with Him. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that 'munibeen' (turning in repentance) is the foundation of all righteous action, and the ayah presents a comprehensive framework for Islamic practice: sincere intention toward Allah, piety, consistent prayer, and avoiding shirk (polytheism). Al-Qurtubi notes that these three commands form the pillars of a believer's relationship with their Lord.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Ar-Rum, a Meccan surah that addresses the pagans of Mecca and calls them to monotheism and righteousness. The broader context of verses 30-31 emphasizes the natural disposition (fitrah) Allah has created in humanity and calls people to recognize His oneness by turning away from polytheism and returning to Him in obedience.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The closest any of you can be to your Lord is in the middle of the night, so if you can be among those who remember Allah at that time, then do so' (Tirmidhi). Additionally, the hadith: 'The best of deeds is to establish the prayer at its time' (related by Ibn Majah) reinforces the emphasis on salah in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that genuine faith requires both internal devotion (turning to Allah with sincere hearts and fearing Him) and external practice (establishing prayer and avoiding idolatry). For modern believers, it serves as a reminder that spiritual growth demands constant repentance, conscious piety in daily decisions, consistent worship, and unwavering monotheistic conviction.
Related Ayahs
وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى يَبْدَؤُا۟ ٱلْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيدُهُۥ وَهُوَ أَهْوَنُ عَلَيْهِ ۚ وَلَهُ ٱلْمَثَلُ ٱلْأَعْلَىٰ فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ
And it is He who begins creation; then He repeats it, and that is [even] easier for Him. To Him belongs the highest description [i.e., attribute] in the heavens and earth. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.
ظَهَرَ ٱلْفَسَادُ فِى ٱلْبَرِّ وَٱلْبَحْرِ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِى ٱلنَّاسِ لِيُذِيقَهُم بَعْضَ ٱلَّذِى عَمِلُوا۟ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ
Corruption has appeared throughout the land and sea by [reason of] what the hands of people have earned so He [i.e., Allāh] may let them taste part of [the consequence of] what they have done that perhaps they will return [to righteousness].
وَلَهُۥ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ كُلٌّ لَّهُۥ قَـٰنِتُونَ
And to Him belongs whoever is in the heavens and earth. All are to Him devoutly obedient.
فَسُبْحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ حِينَ تُمْسُونَ وَحِينَ تُصْبِحُونَ
So exalted is Allāh when you reach the evening and when you reach the morning.