يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِذَا نُودِىَ لِلصَّلَوٰةِ مِن يَوْمِ ٱلْجُمُعَةِ فَٱسْعَوْا۟ إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ وَذَرُوا۟ ٱلْبَيْعَ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ 9
Translations
O you who have believed, when [the adhān] is called for the prayer on the day of Jumuʿah [Friday], then proceed to the remembrance of Allāh and leave trade. That is better for you, if you only knew.
Transliteration
Ya ayyuha alladhina amanu idha nudia lillisalati min yawmi aljumuati faas'aw ila dhikri allahi wa dharoo albaya'a. Dhalikum khayrun lakum in kuntum ta'lamun.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the believers to hasten toward the remembrance of Allah (the Friday prayer) when the call to prayer is made on Friday, and to abandon all worldly transactions and commerce. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this is an absolute obligation to prioritize the worship of Allah over material gains, demonstrating that obedience to Allah supersedes worldly pursuits, and that such prioritization ultimately brings greater benefit and blessing to the believer.
Revelation Context
Revealed in Medina during the establishment of the Friday congregational prayer as a pillar of Islamic practice. The surah addresses the Muslim community's obligation toward communal worship and emphasizes the superiority of spiritual commitments over commercial activities. This was particularly relevant as the Muslim community in Medina was developing trade and commerce alongside their religious obligations.
Related Hadiths
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'Whoever performs ablution well, then comes to Friday prayer, listens attentively and remains silent, his sins between that Friday and the next will be forgiven, plus three more days.' (Sahih Muslim 857). Additionally, the Prophet forbade buying and selling near the mosque during the Friday prayer call (Sunan Abu Dawud 1076).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that attending congregational worship and remembering Allah must take precedence over all worldly concerns and business affairs. The verse reminds us that true success and benefit come from prioritizing our relationship with Allah, and that material gains pale in comparison to the spiritual enrichment gained through communal worship and devotion.