Quran Verses about Prayer
Allah commands the believers to establish prayer and guard it, for prayer is an obligation at fixed times. The verses describe prayer as a means of seeking help, of remembering Allah, of restraining indecency and wrongdoing and of wiping out bad deeds; they praise those who are humble in prayer and guard it, mention the command of prayer to the prophets and their families, and explain the concessions for prayer when travelling and in fear.
The command to establish prayer
وَأَقِيمُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتُواْ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَٱرۡكَعُواْ مَعَ ٱلرَّٰكِعِينَ ٤٣
Wa aqīmuṣ-ṣalāta wa ātuz-zakāta warkaʿū maʿar-rākiʿīn.
And establish prayer and give zakāh1 and bow with those who bow [in worship and obedience].
Footnotes (1)
- An annual expenditure for the benefit of the Islāmic community (see 9:60) required of those Muslims who have excess wealth. Prayer and zakāh are among the pillars of Islām.
وَأَقِيمُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتُواْ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَۚ وَمَا تُقَدِّمُواْ لِأَنفُسِكُم مِّنۡ خَيۡرٖ تَجِدُوهُ عِندَ ٱللَّهِۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ بَصِيرٞ ١١٠
Wa aqīmuṣ-ṣalāta wa ātuz-zakāh, wa mā tuqaddimū liʾanfusikum min khayrin tajidūhu ʿindallāh, innallāha bimā taʿmalūna baṣīr.
And establish prayer and give zakāh, and whatever good you put forward for yourselves - you will find it with Allāh. Indeed Allāh, of what you do, is Seeing.
حَٰفِظُواْ عَلَى ٱلصَّلَوَٰتِ وَٱلصَّلَوٰةِ ٱلۡوُسۡطَىٰ وَقُومُواْ لِلَّهِ قَٰنِتِينَ ٢٣٨
Ḥāfiẓū ʿalaṣ-ṣalawāti waṣ-ṣalātil-wusṭā wa qūmū lillāhi qānitīn.
Maintain with care the [obligatory] prayers and [in particular] the middle [i.e., ʿaṣr] prayer and stand before Allāh, devoutly obedient.
فَإِذَا قَضَيۡتُمُ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ فَٱذۡكُرُواْ ٱللَّهَ قِيَٰمٗا وَقُعُودٗا وَعَلَىٰ جُنُوبِكُمۡۚ فَإِذَا ٱطۡمَأۡنَنتُمۡ فَأَقِيمُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَۚ إِنَّ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ كَانَتۡ عَلَى ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ كِتَٰبٗا مَّوۡقُوتٗا ١٠٣
Fa idhā qaḍaytumuṣ-ṣalāta fadhkurullāha qiyāmaw wa quʿūdaw wa ʿalā junūbikum, fa idhaṭmaʾnantum fa aqīmuṣ-ṣalāh, innaṣ-ṣalāta kānat ʿalal-muʾminīna kitābam mawqūtā.
And when you have completed the prayer, remember Allāh standing, sitting, or [lying] on your sides. But when you become secure, re-establish [regular] prayer. Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers a decree of specified times.
قُلۡ أَنَدۡعُواْ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا يَنفَعُنَا وَلَا يَضُرُّنَا وَنُرَدُّ عَلَىٰٓ أَعۡقَابِنَا بَعۡدَ إِذۡ هَدَىٰنَا ٱللَّهُ كَٱلَّذِي ٱسۡتَهۡوَتۡهُ ٱلشَّيَٰطِينُ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ حَيۡرَانَ لَهُۥٓ أَصۡحَٰبٞ يَدۡعُونَهُۥٓ إِلَى ٱلۡهُدَى ٱئۡتِنَاۗ قُلۡ إِنَّ هُدَى ٱللَّهِ هُوَ ٱلۡهُدَىٰۖ وَأُمِرۡنَا لِنُسۡلِمَ لِرَبِّ ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ ٧١
Qul anadʿū min dūnillāhi mā lā yanfaʿunā wa lā yaḍurrunā wa nuraddu ʿalā aʿqābinā baʿda idh hadānallāhu kal-ladhistahwathush-shayāṭīnu fil-arḍi ḥayrāna lahū aṣḥābuy yadʿūnahū ilal-hudaʾtinā, qul inna hudallāhi huwal-hudā, wa umirnā linuslima lirabbil-ʿālamīn.
Say, "Shall we invoke1 instead of Allāh that which neither benefits us nor harms us and be turned back on our heels after Allāh has guided us? [We would then be] like one whom the devils enticed [to wander] upon the earth confused, [while] he has companions inviting him to guidance, [calling], 'Come to us.'"2 Say, "Indeed, the guidance of Allāh is the [only] guidance; and we have been commanded to submit to the Lord of the worlds.
Footnotes (2)
- i.e., worship.
- The example given is of one who has lost his way and is further confused by the evil ones who tempt him to follow various directions, all leading to destruction. Although his sincere friends call him back to the right path, he ignores them.
وَأَنۡ أَقِيمُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَٱتَّقُوهُۚ وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِيٓ إِلَيۡهِ تُحۡشَرُونَ ٧٢
Wa an aqīmuṣ-ṣalāta wattaqūh, wa huwal-ladhī ilayhi tuḥsharūn.
And to establish prayer and fear Him." And it is He to whom you will be gathered.
قُل لِّعِبَادِيَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ يُقِيمُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَيُنفِقُواْ مِمَّا رَزَقۡنَٰهُمۡ سِرّٗا وَعَلَانِيَةٗ مِّن قَبۡلِ أَن يَأۡتِيَ يَوۡمٞ لَّا بَيۡعٞ فِيهِ وَلَا خِلَٰلٌ ٣١
Qul liʿibādiyal-ladhīna āmanū yuqīmuṣ-ṣalāta wa yunfiqū mimmā razaqnāhum sirraw wa ʿalāniyatam min qabli ay yaʾtiya yawmul lā bayʿun fīhi wa lā khilāl.
[O Muḥammad], tell My servants who have believed to establish prayer and spend from what We have provided them, secretly and publicly, before a Day comes in which there will be no exchange [i.e., ransom], nor any friendships.
إِنَّنِيٓ أَنَا ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنَا۠ فَٱعۡبُدۡنِي وَأَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ لِذِكۡرِيٓ ١٤
Innanī anallāhu lā ilāha illā ana faʿbudnī wa aqimiṣ-ṣalāta lidhikrī.
Indeed, I am Allāh. There is no deity except Me, so worship Me and establish prayer for My remembrance.
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ٱرۡكَعُواْ وَٱسۡجُدُواْۤ وَٱعۡبُدُواْ رَبَّكُمۡ وَٱفۡعَلُواْ ٱلۡخَيۡرَ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تُفۡلِحُونَ۩ ٧٧
Yāʾayyuhal-ladhīna āmanurkaʿū wasjudū waʿbudū rabbakum wafʿalul-khayra laʿallakum tufliḥūn.
O you who have believed, bow and prostrate and worship your Lord and do good - that you may succeed.
وَأَقِيمُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتُواْ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَأَطِيعُواْ ٱلرَّسُولَ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تُرۡحَمُونَ ٥٦
Wa aqīmuṣ-ṣalāta wa ātuz-zakāta wa aṭīʿur-rasūla laʿallakum turḥamūn.
And establish prayer and give zakāh and obey the Messenger - that you may receive mercy.
۞ مُنِيبِينَ إِلَيۡهِ وَٱتَّقُوهُ وَأَقِيمُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَلَا تَكُونُواْ مِنَ ٱلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ ٣١
Munībīna ilayhi wattaqūhu wa aqīmuṣ-ṣalāta wa lā takūnū minal-mushrikīn.
[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
كـَلَّا لَا تُطِعۡهُ وَٱسۡجُدۡۤ وَٱقۡتَرِب۩ ١٩
Kallā lā tuṭiʿhu wasjud waqtarib.
No! Do not obey him. But prostrate and draw near [to Allāh].
فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَٱنۡحَرۡ ٢
Faṣalli lirabbika wanḥar.
So pray to your Lord and offer sacrifice [to Him alone].
Prayer as a help, a restraint from evil and an expiation
وَٱسۡتَعِينُواْ بِٱلصَّبۡرِ وَٱلصَّلَوٰةِۚ وَإِنَّهَا لَكَبِيرَةٌ إِلَّا عَلَى ٱلۡخَٰشِعِينَ ٤٥
Wastaʿīnū biṣ-ṣabri waṣ-ṣalāh, wa innahā lakabīratun illā ʿalal-khāshiʿīn.
And seek help through patience and prayer; and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive [to Allāh]
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ٱسۡتَعِينُواْ بِٱلصَّبۡرِ وَٱلصَّلَوٰةِۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ ١٥٣
Yāʾayyuhal-ladhīna āmanustaʿīnū biṣ-ṣabri waṣ-ṣalāh, innallāha maʿaṣ-ṣābirīn.
O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allāh is with the patient.
وَأَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ طَرَفَيِ ٱلنَّهَارِ وَزُلَفٗا مِّنَ ٱلَّيۡلِۚ إِنَّ ٱلۡحَسَنَٰتِ يُذۡهِبۡنَ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِۚ ذَٰلِكَ ذِكۡرَىٰ لِلذَّٰكِرِينَ ١١٤
Wa aqimiṣ-ṣalāta ṭarafayin-nahāri wa zulafam minal-layl, innal-ḥasanāti yudhhibnas-sayyiʾāt, dhālika dhikrā lidh-dhākirīn.
And establish prayer at the two ends of the day and at the approach of the night. Indeed, good deeds do away with misdeeds. That is a reminder for those who remember.
وَلَقَدۡ نَعۡلَمُ أَنَّكَ يَضِيقُ صَدۡرُكَ بِمَا يَقُولُونَ ٩٧
Wa laqad naʿlamu annaka yaḍīqu ṣadruka bimā yaqūlūn.
And We already know that your breast is constrained by what they say.
فَسَبِّحۡ بِحَمۡدِ رَبِّكَ وَكُن مِّنَ ٱلسَّٰجِدِينَ ٩٨
Fasabbiḥ biḥamdi rabbika wa kum minas-sājidīn.
So exalt [Allāh] with praise of your Lord and be of those who prostrate [to Him].
وَٱعۡبُدۡ رَبَّكَ حَتَّىٰ يَأۡتِيَكَ ٱلۡيَقِينُ ٩٩
Waʿbud rabbaka ḥattā yaʾtiyakal-yaqīn.
And worship your Lord until there comes to you the certainty [i.e., death].
ٱتۡلُ مَآ أُوحِيَ إِلَيۡكَ مِنَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ وَأَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَۖ إِنَّ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ تَنۡهَىٰ عَنِ ٱلۡفَحۡشَآءِ وَٱلۡمُنكَرِۗ وَلَذِكۡرُ ٱللَّهِ أَكۡبَرُۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَعۡلَمُ مَا تَصۡنَعُونَ ٤٥
Utlu mā ūḥiya ilayka minal-kitābi wa aqimiṣ-ṣalāh, innaṣ-ṣalāta tanhā ʿanil-faḥshāʾi wal-munkar, wa ladhikrullāhi akbar, wallāhu yaʿlamu mā taṣnaʿūn.
Recite, [O Muḥammad], what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allāh is greater. And Allāh knows that which you do.
۞ إِنَّ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنَ خُلِقَ هَلُوعًا ١٩
Innal-insāna khuliqa halūʿā.
Indeed, mankind was created anxious:
إِذَا مَسَّهُ ٱلشَّرُّ جَزُوعٗا ٢٠
Idhā massahush-sharru jazūʿā.
When evil touches him, impatient,
وَإِذَا مَسَّهُ ٱلۡخَيۡرُ مَنُوعًا ٢١
Wa idhā massahul-khayru manūʿā.
And when good touches him, withholding [of it],
إِلَّا ٱلۡمُصَلِّينَ ٢٢
Illal-muṣallīn.
Except the observers of prayer -
ٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ عَلَىٰ صَلَاتِهِمۡ دَآئِمُونَ ٢٣
Al-ladhīna hum ʿalā ṣalātihim dāʾimūn.
Those who are constant in their prayer
Establishing and guarding prayer as traits of the believers
ٱلَّذِينَ يُؤۡمِنُونَ بِٱلۡغَيۡبِ وَيُقِيمُونَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَمِمَّا رَزَقۡنَٰهُمۡ يُنفِقُونَ ٣
Al-ladhīna yuʾminūna bil-ghaybi wa yuqīmūnaṣ-ṣalāta wa mimmā razaqnāhum yunfiqūn.
Who believe in the unseen, establish prayer,1 and spend out of what We2 have provided for them,
Footnotes (2)
- At its proper times and according to its specified conditions.
- It is to be noted that the reference of Allāh (Subḥānahu wa taʿālā) to Himself as "We" in many Qur’ānic verses is necessarily understood in the Arabic language to denote grandeur and power, as opposed to the more intimate singular form "I" used in specific instances.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ وَأَقَامُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتَوُاْ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ لَهُمۡ أَجۡرُهُمۡ عِندَ رَبِّهِمۡ وَلَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡهِمۡ وَلَا هُمۡ يَحۡزَنُونَ ٢٧٧
Innal-ladhīna āmanū wa ʿamiluṣ-ṣāliḥāti wa aqāmuṣ-ṣalāta wa ātawuz-zakāta lahum ajruhum ʿinda rabbihim wa lā khawfun ʿalayhim wa lā hum yaḥzanūn.
Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds and establish prayer and give zakāh will have their reward with their Lord, and there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.
ٱلَّذِينَ إِن مَّكَّنَّٰهُمۡ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ أَقَامُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتَوُاْ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَأَمَرُواْ بِٱلۡمَعۡرُوفِ وَنَهَوۡاْ عَنِ ٱلۡمُنكَرِۗ وَلِلَّهِ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلۡأُمُورِ ٤١
Al-ladhīna im makkannāhum fil-arḍi aqāmuṣ-ṣalāta wa ātawuz-zakāta wa amarū bil-maʿrūfi wa nahaw ʿanil-munkar, walillāhi ʿāqibatul-umūr.
[And they are] those who, if We give them authority in the land, establish prayer and give zakāh and enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong. And to Allāh belongs the outcome of [all] matters.
وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ عَلَىٰ صَلَوَٰتِهِمۡ يُحَافِظُونَ ٩
Wal-ladhīna hum ʿalā ṣalawātihim yuḥāfiẓūn.
And they who carefully maintain their prayers -
رِجَالٞ لَّا تُلۡهِيهِمۡ تِجَٰرَةٞ وَلَا بَيۡعٌ عَن ذِكۡرِ ٱللَّهِ وَإِقَامِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَإِيتَآءِ ٱلزَّكَوٰةِ يَخَافُونَ يَوۡمٗا تَتَقَلَّبُ فِيهِ ٱلۡقُلُوبُ وَٱلۡأَبۡصَٰرُ ٣٧
Rijālul lā tulhīhim tijāratuw wa lā bayʿun ʿan dhikrillāhi wa iqāmiṣ-ṣalāti wa ītāʾiz-zakāti yakhāfūna yawman tataqallabu fīhil-qulūbu wal-abṣār.
[Are] men whom neither commerce nor sale distracts from the remembrance of Allāh and performance of prayer and giving of zakāh. They fear a Day in which the hearts and eyes will [fearfully] turn about -
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَتۡلُونَ كِتَٰبَ ٱللَّهِ وَأَقَامُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَأَنفَقُواْ مِمَّا رَزَقۡنَٰهُمۡ سِرّٗا وَعَلَانِيَةٗ يَرۡجُونَ تِجَٰرَةٗ لَّن تَبُورَ ٢٩
Innal-ladhīna yatlūna kitāballāhi wa aqāmuṣ-ṣalāta wa anfaqū mimmā razaqnāhum sirraw wa ʿalāniyatay yarjūna tijāratal lan tabūr.
Indeed, those who recite the Book of Allāh and establish prayer and spend [in His cause] out of what We have provided them, secretly and publicly, [can] expect a transaction [i.e., profit] that will never perish -
وَٱلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتَجَابُواْ لِرَبِّهِمۡ وَأَقَامُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَأَمۡرُهُمۡ شُورَىٰ بَيۡنَهُمۡ وَمِمَّا رَزَقۡنَٰهُمۡ يُنفِقُونَ ٣٨
Wal-ladhīnastajābū lirabbihim wa aqāmuṣ-ṣalāta wa amruhum shūrā baynahum wa mimmā razaqnāhum yunfiqūn.
And those who have responded to their Lord and established prayer and whose affair is [determined by] consultation among themselves, and from what We have provided them, they spend,
وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ عَلَىٰ صَلَاتِهِمۡ يُحَافِظُونَ ٣٤
Wal-ladhīna hum ʿalā ṣalātihim yuḥāfiẓūn.
And those who [carefully] maintain their prayer:
Prayer of the prophets and the command of prayer to the family
وَأَوۡحَيۡنَآ إِلَىٰ مُوسَىٰ وَأَخِيهِ أَن تَبَوَّءَا لِقَوۡمِكُمَا بِمِصۡرَ بُيُوتٗا وَٱجۡعَلُواْ بُيُوتَكُمۡ قِبۡلَةٗ وَأَقِيمُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ ٨٧
Wa awḥaynā ilā mūsā wa akhīhi an tabawwaʾā liqawmikumā bimiṣra buyūtaw wajʿalū buyūtakum qiblataw wa aqīmuṣ-ṣalāh, wa bashshiril-muʾminīn.
And We inspired to Moses and his brother, "Settle your people in Egypt in houses and make your houses [facing the] qiblah1 and establish prayer and give good tidings to the believers."
Footnotes (1)
- In order that they might pray therein unseen by their enemy.
رَّبَّنَآ إِنِّيٓ أَسۡكَنتُ مِن ذُرِّيَّتِي بِوَادٍ غَيۡرِ ذِي زَرۡعٍ عِندَ بَيۡتِكَ ٱلۡمُحَرَّمِ رَبَّنَا لِيُقِيمُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ فَٱجۡعَلۡ أَفۡـِٔدَةٗ مِّنَ ٱلنَّاسِ تَهۡوِيٓ إِلَيۡهِمۡ وَٱرۡزُقۡهُم مِّنَ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَشۡكُرُونَ ٣٧
Rabbanā innī askantu min dhurriyyatī biwādin ghayri dhī zarʿin ʿinda baytikal-muḥarrami rabbanā liyuqīmuṣ-ṣalāta fajʿal afʾidatam minan-nāsi tahwī ilayhim warzuqhum minath-thamarāti laʿallahum yashkurūn.
Our Lord, I have settled some of my descendants in an uncultivated valley near Your sacred House, our Lord, that they may establish prayer. So make hearts among the people incline toward them and provide for them from the fruits that they might be grateful.
رَبِّ ٱجۡعَلۡنِي مُقِيمَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِيۚ رَبَّنَا وَتَقَبَّلۡ دُعَآءِ ٤٠
Rabbijʿalnī muqīmaṣ-ṣalāti wa min dhurriyyatī, rabbanā wa taqabbal duʿāʾ.
My Lord, make me an establisher of prayer, and [many] from my descendants. Our Lord, and accept my supplication.
وَجَعَلَنِي مُبَارَكًا أَيۡنَ مَا كُنتُ وَأَوۡصَٰنِي بِٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَٱلزَّكَوٰةِ مَا دُمۡتُ حَيّٗا ٣١
Wa jaʿalanī mubārakan ayna mā kuntu wa awṣānī biṣ-ṣalāti waz-zakāti mā dumtu ḥayyā.
And He has made me blessed wherever I am and has enjoined upon me prayer and zakāh as long as I remain alive
وَكَانَ يَأۡمُرُ أَهۡلَهُۥ بِٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَٱلزَّكَوٰةِ وَكَانَ عِندَ رَبِّهِۦ مَرۡضِيّٗا ٥٥
Wa kāna yaʾmuru ahlahū biṣ-ṣalāti waz-zakāti wa kāna ʿinda rabbihī marḍiyyā.
And he used to enjoin on his people prayer and zakāh and was to his Lord pleasing [i.e., accepted by Him].
وَأۡمُرۡ أَهۡلَكَ بِٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَٱصۡطَبِرۡ عَلَيۡهَاۖ لَا نَسۡـَٔلُكَ رِزۡقٗاۖ نَّحۡنُ نَرۡزُقُكَۗ وَٱلۡعَٰقِبَةُ لِلتَّقۡوَىٰ ١٣٢
Waʾmur ahlaka biṣ-ṣalāti waṣṭabir ʿalayhā, lā nasʾaluka rizqā, naḥnu narzuquk, wal-ʿāqibatu lit-taqwā.
And enjoin prayer upon your family [and people] and be steadfast therein. We ask you not for provision; We provide for you, and the [best] outcome is for [those of] righteousness.
وَجَعَلۡنَٰهُمۡ أَئِمَّةٗ يَهۡدُونَ بِأَمۡرِنَا وَأَوۡحَيۡنَآ إِلَيۡهِمۡ فِعۡلَ ٱلۡخَيۡرَٰتِ وَإِقَامَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَإِيتَآءَ ٱلزَّكَوٰةِۖ وَكَانُواْ لَنَا عَٰبِدِينَ ٧٣
Wa jaʿalnāhum aʾimmatay yahdūna biʾamrinā wa awḥaynā ilayhim fiʿlal-khayrāti wa iqāmaṣ-ṣalāti wa ītāʾaz-zakāh, wa kānū lanā ʿābidīn.
And We made them leaders guiding by Our command. And We inspired to them the doing of good deeds, establishment of prayer, and giving of zakāh; and they were worshippers of Us.
يَٰبُنَيَّ أَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَأۡمُرۡ بِٱلۡمَعۡرُوفِ وَٱنۡهَ عَنِ ٱلۡمُنكَرِ وَٱصۡبِرۡ عَلَىٰ مَآ أَصَابَكَۖ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ مِنۡ عَزۡمِ ٱلۡأُمُورِ ١٧
Yābunayya aqimiṣ-ṣalāta waʾmur bil-maʿrūfi wanha ʿanil-munkari waṣbir ʿalā mā aṣābak, inna dhālika min ʿazmil-umūr.
O my son, establish prayer, enjoin what is right, forbid what is wrong, and be patient over what befalls you. Indeed, [all] that is of the matters [requiring] resolve.1
Footnotes (1)
- For the reason that they are enjoined by Allāh.
Conditions, etiquette and concessions of prayer
فَإِنۡ خِفۡتُمۡ فَرِجَالًا أَوۡ رُكۡبَانٗاۖ فَإِذَآ أَمِنتُمۡ فَٱذۡكُرُواْ ٱللَّهَ كَمَا عَلَّمَكُم مَّا لَمۡ تَكُونُواْ تَعۡلَمُونَ ٢٣٩
Fa in khiftum farijālan aw rukbānā, fa idhā amintum fadhkurullāha kamā ʿallamakum mā lam takūnū taʿlamūn.
And if you fear [an enemy, then pray] on foot or riding. But when you are secure, then remember Allāh [in prayer], as He has taught you that which you did not [previously] know.
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لَا تَقۡرَبُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَأَنتُمۡ سُكَٰرَىٰ حَتَّىٰ تَعۡلَمُواْ مَا تَقُولُونَ وَلَا جُنُبًا إِلَّا عَابِرِي سَبِيلٍ حَتَّىٰ تَغۡتَسِلُواْۚ وَإِن كُنتُم مَّرۡضَىٰٓ أَوۡ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ أَوۡ جَآءَ أَحَدٞ مِّنكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡغَآئِطِ أَوۡ لَٰمَسۡتُمُ ٱلنِّسَآءَ فَلَمۡ تَجِدُواْ مَآءٗ فَتَيَمَّمُواْ صَعِيدٗا طَيِّبٗا فَٱمۡسَحُواْ بِوُجُوهِكُمۡ وَأَيۡدِيكُمۡۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَفُوًّا غَفُورًا ٤٣
Yāʾayyuhal-ladhīna āmanū lā taqrabuṣ-ṣalāta wa antum sukārā ḥattā taʿlamū mā taqūlūna wa lā junuban illā ʿābirī sabīlin ḥattā taghtasilū, wa in kuntum marḍā aw ʿalā safarin aw jāʾa aḥadum minkum minal-ghāʾiṭi aw lāmastumun-nisāʾa falam tajidū māʾan fatayammamū ṣaʿīdan ṭayyiban famsaḥū biwujūhikum wa aydīkum, innallāha kāna ʿafuwwan ghafūrā.
O you who have believed, do not approach prayer while you are intoxicated until you know what you are saying1 or in a state of janābah,2 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 Pardoning3 and Forgiving.
Footnotes (3)
- The use of intoxicants was later prohibited completely. See 5:90-91.
- Literally, "distance." The state of one under obligation to perform ghusl (a complete bath) due to having had sexual intercourse or ejaculation.
- Literally, able to erase and remove sins completely, leaving no trace of them in the record of deeds.
وَإِذَا ضَرَبۡتُمۡ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَلَيۡسَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ جُنَاحٌ أَن تَقۡصُرُواْ مِنَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ إِنۡ خِفۡتُمۡ أَن يَفۡتِنَكُمُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓاْۚ إِنَّ ٱلۡكَٰفِرِينَ كَانُواْ لَكُمۡ عَدُوّٗا مُّبِينٗا ١٠١
Wa idhā ḍarabtum fil-arḍi falaysa ʿalaykum junāḥun an taqṣurū minaṣ-ṣalāti in khiftum ay yaftinakumul-ladhīna kafarū, innal-kāfirīna kānū lakum ʿaduwwam mubīnā.
And when you travel throughout the land, there is no blame upon you for shortening the prayer,1 [especially] if you fear that those who disbelieve may disrupt [or attack] you.2 Indeed, the disbelievers are ever to you a clear enemy.
Footnotes (2)
- The four rakʿah prayers are shortened to two rakʿahs.
- The example of the Prophet (ﷺ) and his companions illustrates that fear is not a condition for this allowance, merely travel.
وَإِذَا كُنتَ فِيهِمۡ فَأَقَمۡتَ لَهُمُ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ فَلۡتَقُمۡ طَآئِفَةٞ مِّنۡهُم مَّعَكَ وَلۡيَأۡخُذُوٓاْ أَسۡلِحَتَهُمۡۖ فَإِذَا سَجَدُواْ فَلۡيَكُونُواْ مِن وَرَآئِكُمۡ وَلۡتَأۡتِ طَآئِفَةٌ أُخۡرَىٰ لَمۡ يُصَلُّواْ فَلۡيُصَلُّواْ مَعَكَ وَلۡيَأۡخُذُواْ حِذۡرَهُمۡ وَأَسۡلِحَتَهُمۡۗ وَدَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ لَوۡ تَغۡفُلُونَ عَنۡ أَسۡلِحَتِكُمۡ وَأَمۡتِعَتِكُمۡ فَيَمِيلُونَ عَلَيۡكُم مَّيۡلَةٗ وَٰحِدَةٗۚ وَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ إِن كَانَ بِكُمۡ أَذٗى مِّن مَّطَرٍ أَوۡ كُنتُم مَّرۡضَىٰٓ أَن تَضَعُوٓاْ أَسۡلِحَتَكُمۡۖ وَخُذُواْ حِذۡرَكُمۡۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ أَعَدَّ لِلۡكَٰفِرِينَ عَذَابٗا مُّهِينٗا ١٠٢
Wa idhā kunta fīhim fa aqamta lahumuṣ-ṣalāta faltaqum ṭāʾifatum minhum maʿaka walyaʾkhudhū asliḥatahum, fa idhā sajadū falyakūnū miw warāʾikum waltaʾti ṭāʾifatun ukhrā lam yuṣallū falyuṣallū maʿaka walyaʾkhudhū ḥidhrahum wa asliḥatahum, waddal-ladhīna kafarū law taghfulūna ʿan asliḥatikum wa amtiʿatikum fayamīlūna ʿalaykum maylataw wāḥidah, wa lā junāḥa ʿalaykum in kāna bikum adham mim maṭarin aw kuntum marḍā an taḍaʿū asliḥatakum, wa khudhū ḥidhrakum, innallāha aʿadda lil-kāfirīna ʿadhābam muhīnā.
And when you [i.e., the commander of an army] are among them and lead them in prayer,1 let a group of them stand [in prayer] with you and let them carry their arms. And when they have prostrated, let them be [in position] behind you and have the other group come forward which has not [yet] prayed and let them pray with you, taking precaution and carrying their arms. Those who disbelieve wish that you would neglect your weapons and your baggage so they could come down upon you in one [single] attack. But there is no blame upon you, if you are troubled by rain or are ill, for putting down your arms, but take precaution. Indeed, Allāh has prepared for the disbelievers a humiliating punishment.
Footnotes (1)
- At times of fear on the battleground.
۞ يَٰبَنِيٓ ءَادَمَ خُذُواْ زِينَتَكُمۡ عِندَ كُلِّ مَسۡجِدٖ وَكُلُواْ وَٱشۡرَبُواْ وَلَا تُسۡرِفُوٓاْۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُسۡرِفِينَ ٣١
Yābanī ādama khudhū zīnatakum ʿinda kulli masjidiw wa kulū washrabū wa lā tusrifū, innahū lā yuḥibbul-musrifīn.
O children of Adam, take your adornment [i.e., wear your clothing] at every masjid,1 and eat and drink, but be not excessive. Indeed, He likes not those who commit excess.
Footnotes (1)
- Literally, "place of prostration," meaning any place that a Muslim prays upon the earth. The term may also refer specifically to a mosque.
قُلِ ٱدۡعُواْ ٱللَّهَ أَوِ ٱدۡعُواْ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنَۖ أَيّٗا مَّا تَدۡعُواْ فَلَهُ ٱلۡأَسۡمَآءُ ٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰۚ وَلَا تَجۡهَرۡ بِصَلَاتِكَ وَلَا تُخَافِتۡ بِهَا وَٱبۡتَغِ بَيۡنَ ذَٰلِكَ سَبِيلٗا ١١٠
Qulidʿullāha awidʿur-raḥmān, ayyam mā tadʿū falahul-asmāʾul-ḥusnā, wa lā tajhar biṣalātika wa lā tukhāfit bihā wabtaghi bayna dhālika sabīlā.
Say, "Call upon Allāh or call upon the Most Merciful [ar-Raḥmān]. Whichever [name] you call - to Him belong the best names." And do not recite [too] loudly in your prayer or [too] quietly but seek between that an [intermediate] way.