وَجَعَلَنِى مُبَارَكًا أَيْنَ مَا كُنتُ وَأَوْصَـٰنِى بِٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَٱلزَّكَوٰةِ مَا دُمْتُ حَيًّا 31
Translations
And He has made me blessed wherever I am and has enjoined upon me prayer and zakāh as long as I remain alive
Transliteration
Wa ja'alani mubarakan aina ma kuntu wa awsani bis-salati wa z-zakati ma dumtu hayya
Tafsir (Explanation)
This verse contains the words of Prophet Isa (Jesus) describing the blessings Allah bestowed upon him: that He made him blessed wherever he goes, and commanded him with prayer (salah) and charity (zakat) throughout his life. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret 'mubarakan' (blessed) as meaning Isa brought benefit and guidance to people wherever he was, and that obedience to Allah through salah and zakat are core obligations that define a righteous servant's life. This ayah emphasizes that even the greatest prophets were commanded with the fundamental pillars of worship.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Maryam (Chapter 19), which is Meccan and focuses on the stories of righteous servants of Allah, particularly those from the lineage of Imran. This specific verse is within the narrative of Isa's birth and his mother Maryam's vindication, where Isa himself speaks from the cradle as a miracle, declaring his mission and obedience to Allah. The thematic context emphasizes prophethood, divine mercy, and the continuity of monotheistic devotion across generations.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said regarding salah: 'The covenant between us and them is salah; whoever abandons it has disbelieved' (Sunan Ibn Majah, Sunan at-Tirmidhi). Additionally, the Qur'an states: 'Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds and established prayer and given zakah will have their reward with their Lord' (2:277), which parallels the blessings tied to fulfilling these obligations.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that true blessedness in life comes not from worldly wealth or status, but from obedience to Allah through fulfilling His commands, particularly prayer and charity. For believers today, it reinforces that regular salah and zakat are not burdensome obligations, but rather the means through which we receive barakah (blessing) and become beneficial to society around us.