وَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتُوا۟ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَأَطِيعُوا۟ ٱلرَّسُولَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ 56
Translations
And establish prayer and give zakāh and obey the Messenger - that you may receive mercy.
Transliteration
Wa-aqīmū as-salāta wa-ātū az-zakāta wa-aṭī'ū ar-rasūla la'allakum turḥamūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the believers to establish prayer, give zakat (obligatory charity), and obey the Messenger as the means to attain Allah's mercy and compassion. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, these three practices form the pillars of righteous conduct: salah establishes the connection with Allah, zakat purifies wealth and demonstrates social responsibility, and obedience to the Messenger ensures proper understanding and implementation of divine guidance. The phrase 'la'allakum turḥamūn' (so that you may be shown mercy) indicates that these actions are the means by which believers earn Allah's raḥmah (mercy and forgiveness).
Revelation Context
Surah An-Nur is a Medinan surah revealed during the period of Islamic community consolidation in Medina. This ayah appears near the conclusion of the surah and serves as a comprehensive reminder of the fundamental obligations for believers, reinforcing the moral and spiritual framework established throughout the surah's guidance on modesty, family, and community ethics.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Islam is built on five pillars: testifying that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is His messenger, establishing prayer, paying zakat, fasting in Ramadan, and performing Hajj' (Sahih Bukhari 8). Additionally, in Sunan An-Nasa'i, the Prophet emphasized: 'The best of deeds is prayer, and the best after that is kindness to parents,' connecting obedience to Allah's commands with righteous action.
Themes
Key Lesson
True success and divine mercy come not from isolated piety but from comprehensive obedience—maintaining prayer, supporting others through charity, and following the Prophet's guidance with sincerity. These practices serve as a holistic path to spiritual elevation and remind believers that mercy from Allah is earned through consistent, multi-faceted devotion rather than selective religiosity.
Related Ayahs
يَوْمَئِذٍ يُوَفِّيهِمُ ٱللَّهُ دِينَهُمُ ٱلْحَقَّ وَيَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلْحَقُّ ٱلْمُبِينُ
That Day, Allāh will pay them in full their true [i.e., deserved] recompense, and they will know that it is Allāh who is the manifest Truth [i.e., perfect in justice].
وَإِذَا دُعُوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ لِيَحْكُمَ بَيْنَهُمْ إِذَا فَرِيقٌ مِّنْهُم مُّعْرِضُونَ
And when they are called to [the words of] Allāh and His Messenger to judge between them, at once a party of them turns aside [in refusal].
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَدْخُلُوا۟ بُيُوتًا غَيْرَ بُيُوتِكُمْ حَتَّىٰ تَسْتَأْنِسُوا۟ وَتُسَلِّمُوا۟ عَلَىٰٓ أَهْلِهَا ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ
O you who have believed, do not enter houses other than your own houses until you ascertain welcome and greet their inhabitants. That is best for you; perhaps you will be reminded [i.e., advised].
وَمَن يُطِعِ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ وَيَخْشَ ٱللَّهَ وَيَتَّقْهِ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْفَآئِزُونَ
And whoever obeys Allāh and His Messenger and fears Allāh and is conscious of Him - it is those who are the attainers.