يَـٰبُنَىَّ أَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَأْمُرْ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ وَٱنْهَ عَنِ ٱلْمُنكَرِ وَٱصْبِرْ عَلَىٰ مَآ أَصَابَكَ ۖ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ مِنْ عَزْمِ ٱلْأُمُورِ 17
Translations
O my son, establish prayer, enjoin what is right, forbid what is wrong, and be patient over what befalls you. Indeed, [all] that is of the matters [requiring] resolve.
Transliteration
Ya bunayya aqim as-salata wa'mur bil-ma'roof wa anha 'an al-munkar wa asbir 'ala ma asabaka inna dhalika min 'azm al-umoor
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah contains Luqman's counsel to his son, emphasizing four fundamental pillars of righteousness: establishing prayer, enjoining good, forbidding evil, and patience in the face of hardship. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note that these four principles represent the foundation of Islamic character and social responsibility, with patience being the binding force that enables a believer to maintain the first three despite opposition and trials. Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that 'azm al-umoor (determination of affairs) refers to the firmness and resolve required to uphold these values, indicating that practicing them requires steadfast commitment rather than mere superficial compliance.
Revelation Context
This surah was revealed in Mecca during the early Islamic period and takes the form of moral teachings from Luqman to his son. These verses are not tied to a specific historical incident but represent timeless parental and spiritual guidance, reflecting the Meccan emphasis on personal piety, morality, and individual spiritual development during the period when Muslims faced persecution.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Tirmidhi 3895). Additionally, 'Whoever enjoins good and forbids evil is the successor of the prophets' (Ibn Abil-Izz al-Hanafi commentary on Tahawiyyah), reflecting the Islamic obligation highlighted in this verse.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that true Islamic character is built on the integration of personal devotion (prayer), social responsibility (commanding good and forbidding evil), and spiritual resilience (patience). For modern readers, it emphasizes that faith is not merely private worship but includes active engagement in society to promote virtue while maintaining inner steadfastness through life's inevitable challenges.