فَإِذَا قَضَيْتُمُ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ فَٱذْكُرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ قِيَـٰمًا وَقُعُودًا وَعَلَىٰ جُنُوبِكُمْ ۚ فَإِذَا ٱطْمَأْنَنتُمْ فَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ كَانَتْ عَلَى ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ كِتَـٰبًا مَّوْقُوتًا 103
Translations
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.
Transliteration
Fa-iza qadaytumu as-salata fadhkuru Allaha qiyaman wa quAAudan wa AAala junubikum fa-iza itma-annantum fa-aqimu as-salata inna as-salata kanat AAala al-mu/minina kitaban mawqutan
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah instructs believers to remember Allah in all states—standing, sitting, and lying on their sides—after completing the obligatory prayers, and to resume prayer once they feel secure and at ease. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this verse establishes the continuity of remembrance of Allah (dhikr) throughout all circumstances and postures, while also emphasizing that prayer is a binding obligation with specific appointed times (mawqut). The verse reflects the Quranic principle that prayer anchors a believer's relationship with Allah amid the trials and uncertainties of life, particularly in the context of the early Muslim community facing persecution.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in Madinah during a period when Muslims faced constant threats and were commanded to maintain vigilance during prayer, particularly in times of military conflict and danger. The surah An-Nisa addresses social order and rights within the Muslim community, and this ayah contextualizes prayer as both a spiritual obligation and a means of maintaining steadfastness during hardship. It follows guidance on shortened prayers during travel and fear.
Related Hadiths
1) Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi report that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of deeds is prayer at its prescribed time.' 2) Sahih Muslim records that 'Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Prophet would remember Allah in all his states and positions.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should cultivate constant awareness of Allah in all circumstances and positions of life, viewing prayer not as a burdensome ritual but as an anchor of stability and spiritual strength during uncertain times. This teaches that worship adapts to circumstances—whether in ease or difficulty—while maintaining unwavering commitment to the obligations Allah has prescribed.
Related Ayahs
وَمَاذَا عَلَيْهِمْ لَوْ ءَامَنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ وَأَنفَقُوا۟ مِمَّا رَزَقَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ بِهِمْ عَلِيمًا
And what [harm would come] upon them if they believed in Allāh and the Last Day and spent out of what Allāh provided for them? And Allāh is ever, about them, Knowing.
وَءَاتُوا۟ ٱلنِّسَآءَ صَدُقَـٰتِهِنَّ نِحْلَةً ۚ فَإِن طِبْنَ لَكُمْ عَن شَىْءٍ مِّنْهُ نَفْسًا فَكُلُوهُ هَنِيٓـًٔا مَّرِيٓـًٔا
And give the women [upon marriage] their [bridal] gifts graciously. But if they give up willingly to you anything of it, then take it in satisfaction and ease.
أَيْنَمَا تَكُونُوا۟ يُدْرِككُّمُ ٱلْمَوْتُ وَلَوْ كُنتُمْ فِى بُرُوجٍ مُّشَيَّدَةٍ ۗ وَإِن تُصِبْهُمْ حَسَنَةٌ يَقُولُوا۟ هَـٰذِهِۦ مِنْ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَإِن تُصِبْهُمْ سَيِّئَةٌ يَقُولُوا۟ هَـٰذِهِۦ مِنْ عِندِكَ ۚ قُلْ كُلٌّ مِّنْ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ فَمَالِ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ ٱلْقَوْمِ لَا يَكَادُونَ يَفْقَهُونَ حَدِيثًا
Wherever you may be, death will overtake you, even if you should be within towers of lofty construction. But if good comes to them, they say, "This is from Allāh"; and if evil befalls them, they say, "This is from you." Say, "All [things] are from Allāh." So what is [the matter] with those people that they can hardly understand any statement?
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ ءَامِنُوا۟ بِمَا نَزَّلْنَا مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا مَعَكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن نَّطْمِسَ وُجُوهًا فَنَرُدَّهَا عَلَىٰٓ أَدْبَارِهَآ أَوْ نَلْعَنَهُمْ كَمَا لَعَنَّآ أَصْحَـٰبَ ٱلسَّبْتِ ۚ وَكَانَ أَمْرُ ٱللَّهِ مَفْعُولًا
O you who were given the Scripture, believe in what We have sent down [to Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ)], confirming that which is with you, before We obliterate faces and turn them toward their backs or curse them as We cursed the sabbath-breakers. And ever is the matter [i.e., decree] of Allāh accomplished.