أَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ لِدُلُوكِ ٱلشَّمْسِ إِلَىٰ غَسَقِ ٱلَّيْلِ وَقُرْءَانَ ٱلْفَجْرِ ۖ إِنَّ قُرْءَانَ ٱلْفَجْرِ كَانَ مَشْهُودًا 78
Translations
Establish prayer at the decline of the sun [from its meridian] until the darkness of the night and [also] the Qur’ān [i.e., recitation] of dawn. Indeed, the recitation of dawn is ever witnessed.
Transliteration
Aqim al-salata li-duluuk al-shamsi ila ghasaq al-layl wa-qur'aan al-fajr. Inna qur'aan al-fajr kana mashhuda.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the establishment of prayer from the decline of the sun (Zuhr and Asr prayers) until the darkness of night (Maghrib and Isha prayers), and specifically emphasizes the Qur'an recitation during Fajr prayer. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi explain that the Fajr prayer is particularly emphasized because it is 'witnessed' (mashhuda) by the angels of day and night, making it a time of special spiritual significance and accountability before Allah.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Isra, a Meccan surah that addresses core aspects of Islamic practice and belief. The context follows the spiritual journey of the Night Journey (Isra') and serves to establish fundamental commandments for the Muslim community. The specific emphasis on prayer times reflects the Qur'an's systematic guidance on daily worship obligations.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best prayer is the Fajr prayer on Friday when attended by a large congregation' (Tirmidhi). Additionally, the Prophet emphasized: 'Whoever prays Fajr is under Allah's protection' (Sahih Muslim 657), highlighting the special virtue of this prayer.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that prayer is not merely a ritual but a structured, time-sensitive obligation that punctuates the day, with special emphasis on consciousness of Allah's presence and angelic observation. The mention of Fajr's unique status reminds us that consistency in early morning worship demonstrates sincere commitment and places one under divine protection.
Related Ayahs
وَٱسْتَفْزِزْ مَنِ ٱسْتَطَعْتَ مِنْهُم بِصَوْتِكَ وَأَجْلِبْ عَلَيْهِم بِخَيْلِكَ وَرَجِلِكَ وَشَارِكْهُمْ فِى ٱلْأَمْوَٰلِ وَٱلْأَوْلَـٰدِ وَعِدْهُمْ ۚ وَمَا يَعِدُهُمُ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ إِلَّا غُرُورًا
And incite [to senselessness] whoever you can among them with your voice and assault them with your horses and foot soldiers and become a partner in their wealth and their children and promise them." But Satan does not promise them except delusion.
وَإِذَا مَسَّكُمُ ٱلضُّرُّ فِى ٱلْبَحْرِ ضَلَّ مَن تَدْعُونَ إِلَّآ إِيَّاهُ ۖ فَلَمَّا نَجَّىٰكُمْ إِلَى ٱلْبَرِّ أَعْرَضْتُمْ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنُ كَفُورًا
And when adversity touches you at sea, lost are [all] those you invoke except for Him. But when He delivers you to the land, you turn away [from Him]. And ever is man ungrateful.
إِذًا لَّأَذَقْنَـٰكَ ضِعْفَ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ وَضِعْفَ ٱلْمَمَاتِ ثُمَّ لَا تَجِدُ لَكَ عَلَيْنَا نَصِيرًا
Then [if you had], We would have made you taste double [punishment in] life and double [after] death. Then you would not find for yourself against Us a helper.
۞ قُلْ كُونُوا۟ حِجَارَةً أَوْ حَدِيدًا
Say, "Be you stones or iron