Al-’Ankabut 29:45
The Spider · Meccan · Juz 20 · Page 401
Prayer
ٱتۡلُ مَآ أُوحِيَ إِلَيۡكَ مِنَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ وَأَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَۖ إِنَّ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ تَنۡهَىٰ عَنِ ٱلۡفَحۡشَآءِ وَٱلۡمُنكَرِۗ وَلَذِكۡرُ ٱللَّهِ أَكۡبَرُۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَعۡلَمُ مَا تَصۡنَعُونَ ٤٥
Recite that which hath been inspired in thee of the Scripture, and establish worship. Lo! worship preserveth from lewdness and iniquity, but verily remembrance of Allah is more important. And Allah knoweth what ye do.
Translation: Marmaduke Pickthall
Meaning
Recite the Book revealed to you and establish the prayer. Prayer restrains from indecency and wrongdoing. And the remembrance of Allah is the greatest thing.
Insight
Elmalılı quotes a hadith: if a person’s prayer does not restrain them from wrongdoing, it only increases their distance from Allah. For him, the wisdom and purpose of prayer is the remembrance of Allah. A prayer performed with understanding also sets right the life outside of prayer.
Reflect
In your next prayer, reflect on the meaning of what you recite.
This short note is based on Elmalılı Hamdi Yazır’s Turkish commentary and has not yet been reviewed by a scholar.
Elmalılı’s commentary
An English translation of Elmalılı’s full commentary is coming soon. Read the original Turkish ›