Quran Verses about Travel

24 ayahs · from 19 surahs

Allah repeatedly commands people to travel through the land to see the end of the nations that denied the messengers and how He began creation. The earth is made easy to traverse and to seek provision in, trade journeys and mounts are named as blessings, and the traveller is given concessions: to break the fast and make it up later, to shorten the prayer, to perform tayammum when there is no water, and to pray at night only as much as is easy.

Travel the land and see the end of earlier nations

  1. قَدۡ خَلَتۡ مِن قَبۡلِكُمۡ سُنَنٞ فَسِيرُواْ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَٱنظُرُواْ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلۡمُكَذِّبِينَ ١٣٧

    Qad khalat min qablikum sunanun fasīrū fil-arḍi fanẓurū kayfa kāna ʿāqibatul-mukadhdhibīn.

    Similar situations [as yours] have passed on before you, so proceed throughout the earth and observe how was the end of those who denied.

  1. قُلۡ سِيرُواْ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ ثُمَّ ٱنظُرُواْ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلۡمُكَذِّبِينَ ١١

    Qul sīrū fil-arḍi thummanẓurū kayfa kāna ʿāqibatul-mukadhdhibīn.

    Say, "Travel through the land; then observe how was the end of the deniers."

  1. وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ إِلَّا رِجَالٗا نُّوحِيٓ إِلَيۡهِم مِّنۡ أَهۡلِ ٱلۡقُرَىٰٓۗ أَفَلَمۡ يَسِيرُواْ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَيَنظُرُواْ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡۗ وَلَدَارُ ٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ خَيۡرٞ لِّلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوۡاْۚ أَفَلَا تَعۡقِلُونَ ١٠٩

    Wa mā arsalnā min qablika illā rijālan nūḥī ilayhim min ahlil-qurā, afalam yasīrū fil-arḍi fayanẓurū kayfa kāna ʿāqibatul-ladhīna min qablihim, wa ladārul-ākhirati khayrul lil-ladhīnattaqaw, afalā taʿqilūn.

    And We sent not before you [as messengers] except men to whom We revealed from among the people of cities. So have they1 not traveled through the earth and observed how was the end of those before them? And the home of the Hereafter is best for those who fear Allāh; then will you not reason?

    Footnotes (1)
    1. Those who deny Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ).
  1. وَلَقَدۡ بَعَثۡنَا فِي كُلِّ أُمَّةٖ رَّسُولًا أَنِ ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱجۡتَنِبُواْ ٱلطَّٰغُوتَۖ فَمِنۡهُم مَّنۡ هَدَى ٱللَّهُ وَمِنۡهُم مَّنۡ حَقَّتۡ عَلَيۡهِ ٱلضَّلَٰلَةُۚ فَسِيرُواْ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَٱنظُرُواْ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلۡمُكَذِّبِينَ ٣٦

    Wa laqad baʿathnā fī kulli ummatir rasūlan aniʿbudullāha wajtanibuṭ-ṭāghūt, faminhum man hadallāhu wa minhum man ḥaqqat ʿalayhiḍ-ḍalālah, fasīrū fil-arḍi fanẓurū kayfa kāna ʿāqibatul-mukadhdhibīn.

    And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger, [saying], "Worship Allāh and avoid ṭāghūt."1 And among them were those whom Allāh guided, and among them were those upon whom error was [deservedly] decreed. So proceed [i.e., travel] through the earth and observe how was the end of the deniers.

    Footnotes (1)
    1. False objects of worship.
  1. أَفَلَمۡ يَسِيرُواْ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَتَكُونَ لَهُمۡ قُلُوبٞ يَعۡقِلُونَ بِهَآ أَوۡ ءَاذَانٞ يَسۡمَعُونَ بِهَاۖ فَإِنَّهَا لَا تَعۡمَى ٱلۡأَبۡصَٰرُ وَلَٰكِن تَعۡمَى ٱلۡقُلُوبُ ٱلَّتِي فِي ٱلصُّدُورِ ٤٦

    Afalam yasīrū fil-arḍi fatakūna lahum qulūbuy yaʿqilūna bihā aw ādhānuy yasmaʿūna bihā, fa innahā lā taʿmal-abṣāru wa lākin taʿmal-qulūbul-latī fiṣ-ṣudūr.

    So have they not traveled through the earth and have hearts by which to reason and ears by which to hear? For indeed, it is not eyes that are blinded, but blinded are the hearts which are within the breasts.

  1. قُلۡ سِيرُواْ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَٱنظُرُواْ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ ٦٩

    Qul sīrū fil-arḍi fanẓurū kayfa kāna ʿāqibatul-mujrimīn.

    Say, [O Muḥammad], "Proceed [i.e., travel] through the land and observe how was the end of the criminals."

  1. أَوَلَمۡ يَسِيرُواْ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَيَنظُرُواْ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡۚ كَانُوٓاْ أَشَدَّ مِنۡهُمۡ قُوَّةٗ وَأَثَارُواْ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ وَعَمَرُوهَآ أَكۡثَرَ مِمَّا عَمَرُوهَا وَجَآءَتۡهُمۡ رُسُلُهُم بِٱلۡبَيِّنَٰتِۖ فَمَا كَانَ ٱللَّهُ لِيَظۡلِمَهُمۡ وَلَٰكِن كَانُوٓاْ أَنفُسَهُمۡ يَظۡلِمُونَ ٩

    Awalam yasīrū fil-arḍi fayanẓurū kayfa kāna ʿāqibatul-ladhīna min qablihim, kānū ashadda minhum quwwataw wa athārul-arḍa wa ʿamarūhā akthara mimmā ʿamarūhā wa jāʾathum rusuluhum bil-bayyināt, famā kānallāhu liyaẓlimahum wa lākin kānū anfusahum yaẓlimūn.

    Have they not traveled through the earth and observed how was the end of those before them? They were greater than them in power, and they plowed [or excavated] the earth and built it up more than they [i.e., the Makkans] have built it up, and their messengers came to them with clear evidences. And Allāh would not ever have wronged them, but they were wronging themselves.

  1. قُلۡ سِيرُواْ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَٱنظُرُواْ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلُۚ كَانَ أَكۡثَرُهُم مُّشۡرِكِينَ ٤٢

    Qul sīrū fil-arḍi fanẓurū kayfa kāna ʿāqibatul-ladhīna min qabl, kāna aktharuhum mushrikīn.

    Say, [O Muḥammad], "Travel through the land and observe how was the end of those before. Most of them were associators [of others with Allāh].

  1. أَوَلَمۡ يَسِيرُواْ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَيَنظُرُواْ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡ وَكَانُوٓاْ أَشَدَّ مِنۡهُمۡ قُوَّةٗۚ وَمَا كَانَ ٱللَّهُ لِيُعۡجِزَهُۥ مِن شَيۡءٖ فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَلَا فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ عَلِيمٗا قَدِيرٗا ٤٤

    Awalam yasīrū fil-arḍi fayanẓurū kayfa kāna ʿāqibatul-ladhīna min qablihim wa kānū ashadda minhum quwwah, wa mā kānallāhu liyuʿjizahū min shayʾin fis-samāwāti wa lā fil-arḍ, innahū kāna ʿalīman qadīrā.

    Have they not traveled through the land and observed how was the end of those before them? And they were greater than them in power. But Allāh is not to be caused failure [i.e., prevented] by anything in the heavens or on the earth. Indeed, He is ever Knowing and Competent.

  1. ۞ أَوَلَمۡ يَسِيرُواْ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَيَنظُرُواْ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَانُواْ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡۚ كَانُواْ هُمۡ أَشَدَّ مِنۡهُمۡ قُوَّةٗ وَءَاثَارٗا فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَأَخَذَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِذُنُوبِهِمۡ وَمَا كَانَ لَهُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ مِن وَاقٖ ٢١

    Awalam yasīrū fil-arḍi fayanẓurū kayfa kāna ʿāqibatul-ladhīna kānū min qablihim, kānū hum ashadda minhum quwwataw wa āthāran fil-arḍi fa akhadhahumullāhu bidhunūbihim wa mā kāna lahum minallāhi miw wāq.

    Have they not traveled through the land and observed how was the end of those who were before them? They were greater than them in strength and in impression on the land, but Allāh seized them for their sins. And they had not from Allāh any protector.

  1. أَفَلَمۡ يَسِيرُواْ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَيَنظُرُواْ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡۚ كَانُوٓاْ أَكۡثَرَ مِنۡهُمۡ وَأَشَدَّ قُوَّةٗ وَءَاثَارٗا فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَمَآ أَغۡنَىٰ عَنۡهُم مَّا كَانُواْ يَكۡسِبُونَ ٨٢

    Afalam yasīrū fil-arḍi fayanẓurū kayfa kāna ʿāqibatul-ladhīna min qablihim, kānū akthara minhum wa ashadda quwwataw wa āthāran fil-arḍi famā aghnā ʿanhum mā kānū yaksibūn.

    Have they not traveled through the land and observed how was the end of those before them? They were more numerous than themselves and greater in strength and in impression on the land, but they were not availed by what they used to earn.

  1. ۞ أَفَلَمۡ يَسِيرُواْ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَيَنظُرُواْ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡۖ دَمَّرَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيۡهِمۡۖ وَلِلۡكَٰفِرِينَ أَمۡثَٰلُهَا ١٠

    Afalam yasīrū fil-arḍi fayanẓurū kayfa kāna ʿāqibatul-ladhīna min qablihim, dammarallāhu ʿalayhim, walil-kāfirīna amthāluhā.

    Have they not traveled through the land and seen how was the end of those before them? Allāh destroyed [everything] over them,1 and for the disbelievers is something comparable.

    Footnotes (1)
    1. i.e., destroyed them and all they owned.

Travel to reflect on creation

  1. قُلۡ سِيرُواْ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَٱنظُرُواْ كَيۡفَ بَدَأَ ٱلۡخَلۡقَۚ ثُمَّ ٱللَّهُ يُنشِئُ ٱلنَّشۡأَةَ ٱلۡأٓخِرَةَۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيۡءٖ قَدِيرٞ ٢٠

    Qul sīrū fil-arḍi fanẓurū kayfa badaʾal-khalq, thummallāhu yunshiʾun-nashʾatal-ākhirah, innallāha ʿalā kulli shayʾin qadīr.

    Say, [O Muḥammad], "Travel through the land and observe how He began creation. Then Allāh will produce the final creation [i.e., development]. Indeed Allāh, over all things, is competent."

An earth made easy to travel, trade journeys, and mounts

  1. وَجَعَلۡنَا بَيۡنَهُمۡ وَبَيۡنَ ٱلۡقُرَى ٱلَّتِي بَٰرَكۡنَا فِيهَا قُرٗى ظَٰهِرَةٗ وَقَدَّرۡنَا فِيهَا ٱلسَّيۡرَۖ سِيرُواْ فِيهَا لَيَالِيَ وَأَيَّامًا ءَامِنِينَ ١٨

    Wa jaʿalnā baynahum wa baynal-qural-latī bāraknā fīhā quran ẓāhirataw wa qaddarnā fīhas-sayr, sīrū fīhā layāliya wa ayyāman āminīn.

    And We placed between them and the cities which We had blessed1 [many] visible cities. And We determined between them the [distances of] journey,2 [saying], "Travel between them by night or by day in safety."

    Footnotes (2)
    1. In the lands of what is now southern Syria and Palestine.
    2. i.e., We placed the intermediate settlements at calculated distances for the convenience of travelers.
  1. وَٱلَّذِي خَلَقَ ٱلۡأَزۡوَٰجَ كُلَّهَا وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡفُلۡكِ وَٱلۡأَنۡعَٰمِ مَا تَرۡكَبُونَ ١٢

    Wal-ladhī khalaqal-azwāja kullahā wa jaʿala lakum minal-fulki wal-anʿāmi mā tarkabūn.

    And who created the species, all of them, and has made for you of ships and animals those which you mount

  2. لِتَسۡتَوُۥاْ عَلَىٰ ظُهُورِهِۦ ثُمَّ تَذۡكُرُواْ نِعۡمَةَ رَبِّكُمۡ إِذَا ٱسۡتَوَيۡتُمۡ عَلَيۡهِ وَتَقُولُواْ سُبۡحَٰنَ ٱلَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَٰذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُۥ مُقۡرِنِينَ ١٣

    Litastawū ʿalā ẓuhūrihī thumma tadhkurū niʿmata rabbikum idhastawaytum ʿalayhi wa taqūlū subḥānal-ladhī sakhkhara lanā hādhā wa mā kunnā lahū muqrinīn.

    That you may settle yourselves upon their backs and then remember the favor of your Lord when you have settled upon them and say, "Exalted is He who has subjected this to us, and we could not have [otherwise] subdued it.1

    Footnotes (1)
    1. Literally, "made it a companion" or "made it compatible."
  3. وَإِنَّآ إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا لَمُنقَلِبُونَ ١٤

    Wa innā ilā rabbinā lamunqalibūn.

    And indeed we, to our Lord, will [surely] return."

  1. هُوَ ٱلَّذِي جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ ذَلُولٗا فَٱمۡشُواْ فِي مَنَاكِبِهَا وَكُلُواْ مِن رِّزۡقِهِۦۖ وَإِلَيۡهِ ٱلنُّشُورُ ١٥

    Huwal-ladhī jaʿala lakumul-arḍa dhalūlan famshū fī manākibihā wa kulū mir rizqih, wa ilayhin-nushūr.

    It is He who made the earth tame1 for you - so walk among its slopes and eat of His provision - and to Him is the resurrection.

    Footnotes (1)
    1. i.e., stable and subservient.
  1. لِإِيلَٰفِ قُرَيۡشٍ ١

    Liʾīlāfi quraysh.

    For the accustomed security of the Quraysh1 -

    Footnotes (1)
    1. i.e., the honor and reputation Allāh had given them as guardians of the Holy Kaʿbah, which allowed them to travel without fear of being harmed.
  2. إِۦلَٰفِهِمۡ رِحۡلَةَ ٱلشِّتَآءِ وَٱلصَّيۡفِ ٢

    Īlāfihim riḥlatash-shitāʾi waṣ-ṣayf.

    Their accustomed security [in] the caravan of winter and summer1 -

    Footnotes (1)
    1. i.e., the trading caravans that traveled south in winter and north in summer.

Concessions for the traveller

  1. أَيَّامٗا مَّعۡدُودَٰتٖۚ فَمَن كَانَ مِنكُم مَّرِيضًا أَوۡ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٖ فَعِدَّةٞ مِّنۡ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَۚ وَعَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ يُطِيقُونَهُۥ فِدۡيَةٞ طَعَامُ مِسۡكِينٖۖ فَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيۡرٗا فَهُوَ خَيۡرٞ لَّهُۥۚ وَأَن تَصُومُواْ خَيۡرٞ لَّكُمۡ إِن كُنتُمۡ تَعۡلَمُونَ ١٨٤

    Ayyāmam maʿdūdāt, faman kāna minkum marīḍan aw ʿalā safarin faʿiddatum min ayyāmin ukhar, wa ʿalal-ladhīna yuṭīqūnahū fidyatun ṭaʿāmu miskīn, faman taṭawwaʿa khayran fahuwa khayrul lah, wa an taṣūmū khayrul lakum in kuntum taʿlamūn.

    [Fasting for] a limited number of days. So whoever among you is ill or on a journey [during them] - then an equal number of other days [are to be made up]. And upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship] - a ransom [as substitute] of feeding a poor person [each day]. And whoever volunteers good [i.e., excess] - it is better for him. But to fast is best for you, if you only knew.

  2. شَهۡرُ رَمَضَانَ ٱلَّذِيٓ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانُ هُدٗى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَٰتٖ مِّنَ ٱلۡهُدَىٰ وَٱلۡفُرۡقَانِۚ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ ٱلشَّهۡرَ فَلۡيَصُمۡهُۖ وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوۡ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٖ فَعِدَّةٞ مِّنۡ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَۗ يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ بِكُمُ ٱلۡيُسۡرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ ٱلۡعُسۡرَ وَلِتُكۡمِلُواْ ٱلۡعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُواْ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَىٰكُمۡ وَلَعَلَّكُمۡ تَشۡكُرُونَ ١٨٥

    Shahru ramaḍānal-ladhī unzila fīhil-qurʾānu hudal lin-nāsi wa bayyinātim minal-hudā wal-furqān, faman shahida minkumush-shahra falyaṣumh, wa man kāna marīḍan aw ʿalā safarin faʿiddatum min ayyāmin ukhar, yurīdullāhu bikumul-yusra wa lā yurīdu bikumul-ʿusra walitukmilul-ʿiddata walitukabbirullāha ʿalā mā hadākum wa laʿallakum tashkurūn.

    The month of Ramaḍān [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’ān, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the crescent of] the month,1 let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey - then an equal number of other days. Allāh intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allāh for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.

    Footnotes (1)
    1. Also, "whoever is present during the month."
  1. 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)
    1. The use of intoxicants was later prohibited completely. See 5:90-91.
    2. Literally, "distance." The state of one under obligation to perform ghusl (a complete bath) due to having had sexual intercourse or ejaculation.
    3. Literally, able to erase and remove sins completely, leaving no trace of them in the record of deeds.
  1. 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)
    1. The four rakʿah prayers are shortened to two rakʿahs.
    2. The example of the Prophet (ﷺ) and his companions illustrates that fear is not a condition for this allowance, merely travel.
  1. يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ إِذَا قُمۡتُمۡ إِلَى ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ فَٱغۡسِلُواْ وُجُوهَكُمۡ وَأَيۡدِيَكُمۡ إِلَى ٱلۡمَرَافِقِ وَٱمۡسَحُواْ بِرُءُوسِكُمۡ وَأَرۡجُلَكُمۡ إِلَى ٱلۡكَعۡبَيۡنِۚ وَإِن كُنتُمۡ جُنُبٗا فَٱطَّهَّرُواْۚ وَإِن كُنتُم مَّرۡضَىٰٓ أَوۡ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ أَوۡ جَآءَ أَحَدٞ مِّنكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡغَآئِطِ أَوۡ لَٰمَسۡتُمُ ٱلنِّسَآءَ فَلَمۡ تَجِدُواْ مَآءٗ فَتَيَمَّمُواْ صَعِيدٗا طَيِّبٗا فَٱمۡسَحُواْ بِوُجُوهِكُمۡ وَأَيۡدِيكُم مِّنۡهُۚ مَا يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ لِيَجۡعَلَ عَلَيۡكُم مِّنۡ حَرَجٖ وَلَٰكِن يُرِيدُ لِيُطَهِّرَكُمۡ وَلِيُتِمَّ نِعۡمَتَهُۥ عَلَيۡكُمۡ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَشۡكُرُونَ ٦

    Yāʾayyuhal-ladhīna āmanū idhā qumtum ilaṣ-ṣalāti faghsilū wujūhakum wa aydiyakum ilal-marāfiqi wamsaḥū biruʾūsikum wa arjulakum ilal-kaʿbayn, wa in kuntum junuban faṭṭahharū, 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 minh, mā yurīdullāhu liyajʿala ʿalaykum min ḥarajiw wa lākiy yurīdu liyuṭahhirakum waliyutimma niʿmatahū ʿalaykum laʿallakum tashkurūn.

    O you who have believed, when you rise to [perform] prayer, wash your faces and your forearms to the elbows and wipe over your heads and wash your feet to the ankles. And if you are in a state of janābah,1 then purify yourselves. But if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women2 and do not find water, then seek clean earth and wipe over your faces and hands with it. Allāh does not intend to make difficulty for you, but He intends to purify you and complete His favor upon you that you may be grateful.

    Footnotes (2)
    1. See footnote to 4:43.
    2. i.e., had sexual intercourse.
  1. ۞ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ يَعۡلَمُ أَنَّكَ تَقُومُ أَدۡنَىٰ مِن ثُلُثَيِ ٱلَّيۡلِ وَنِصۡفَهُۥ وَثُلُثَهُۥ وَطَآئِفَةٞ مِّنَ ٱلَّذِينَ مَعَكَۚ وَٱللَّهُ يُقَدِّرُ ٱلَّيۡلَ وَٱلنَّهَارَۚ عَلِمَ أَن لَّن تُحۡصُوهُ فَتَابَ عَلَيۡكُمۡۖ فَٱقۡرَءُواْ مَا تَيَسَّرَ مِنَ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانِۚ عَلِمَ أَن سَيَكُونُ مِنكُم مَّرۡضَىٰ وَءَاخَرُونَ يَضۡرِبُونَ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ يَبۡتَغُونَ مِن فَضۡلِ ٱللَّهِ وَءَاخَرُونَ يُقَٰتِلُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِۖ فَٱقۡرَءُواْ مَا تَيَسَّرَ مِنۡهُۚ وَأَقِيمُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتُواْ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَأَقۡرِضُواْ ٱللَّهَ قَرۡضًا حَسَنٗاۚ وَمَا تُقَدِّمُواْ لِأَنفُسِكُم مِّنۡ خَيۡرٖ تَجِدُوهُ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ هُوَ خَيۡرٗا وَأَعۡظَمَ أَجۡرٗاۚ وَٱسۡتَغۡفِرُواْ ٱللَّهَۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٞ رَّحِيمُۢ ٢٠

    Inna rabbaka yaʿlamu annaka taqūmu adnā min thuluthayil-layli wa niṣfahū wa thuluthahū wa ṭāʾifatum minal-ladhīna maʿak, wallāhu yuqaddirul-layla wan-nahār, ʿalima al lan tuḥṣūhu fatāba ʿalaykum, faqraʾū mā tayassara minal-qurʾān, ʿalima an sayakūnu minkum marḍā wa ākharūna yaḍribūna fil-arḍi yabtaghūna min faḍlillāhi wa ākharūna yuqātilūna fī sabīlillāh, faqraʾū mā tayassara minh, wa aqīmuṣ-ṣalāta wa ātuz-zakāta wa aqriḍullāha qarḍan ḥasanā, wa mā tuqaddimū liʾanfusikum min khayrin tajidūhu ʿindallāhi huwa khayraw wa aʿẓama ajrā, wastaghfirullāh, innallāha ghafūrur raḥīm.

    Indeed, your Lord knows, [O Muḥammad], that you stand [in prayer] almost two thirds of the night or half of it or a third of it, and [so do] a group of those with you. And Allāh determines [the extent of] the night and the day. He has known that you [Muslims] will not be able to do it1 and has turned to you in forgiveness, so recite what is easy [for you] of the Qur’ān. He has known that there will be among you those who are ill and others traveling throughout the land seeking [something] of the bounty of Allāh and others fighting for the cause of Allāh. So recite what is easy from it and establish prayer and give zakāh and loan Allāh a goodly loan.2 And whatever good you put forward for yourselves - you will find it with Allāh. It is better and greater in reward. And seek forgiveness of Allāh. Indeed, Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.

    Footnotes (2)
    1. Allāh has known that if they were to continue in such long periods of worship each night, the people would be caused much hardship.
    2. In the form of charities and contributions to His cause.