فَٱصْبِرْ عَلَىٰ مَا يَقُولُونَ وَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ قَبْلَ طُلُوعِ ٱلشَّمْسِ وَقَبْلَ غُرُوبِهَا ۖ وَمِنْ ءَانَآئِ ٱلَّيْلِ فَسَبِّحْ وَأَطْرَافَ ٱلنَّهَارِ لَعَلَّكَ تَرْضَىٰ 130
Translations
So be patient over what they say and exalt [Allāh] with praise of your Lord before the rising of the sun and before its setting; and during periods of the night [exalt Him] and at the ends of the day, that you may be satisfied.
Transliteration
Fa-sbir 'alaa maa yaqooloon wa sabbih bihamdi rabbika qabla tuloo'i ash-shams wa qabla ghuroobiha wa min aanaa'i al-layli fa sabbih wa atraaf an-nahar la'allaka tardhaa
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to exercise patience against the mockery and rejection of the Quraysh, while simultaneously engaging in the remembrance and glorification of Allah at specific times throughout the day and night—before sunrise, before sunset, during parts of the night, and during the daylight hours. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this verse teaches that consistent remembrance of Allah (dhikr) and prayer are the antidote to spiritual distress caused by opposition, and that these specific times encompass the obligatory prayers and additional voluntary worship that sustain the believer's connection with their Lord.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in Mecca during the period of intense persecution of the Prophet and early Muslims by the Quraysh. It comes within the broader context of Surah Ta-Ha, which contains narratives of previous prophets who faced rejection and were commanded to remain steadfast. The verse directly addresses the Prophet's emotional and spiritual well-being as he endured ridicule and opposition from his community.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet said: 'The best of deeds is to pray at its prescribed times' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi). Additionally, Aisha reported that the Prophet would pray at night, and when asked about it, he said: 'Shall I not be a grateful servant?' (Sahih Muslim 1772), reflecting the spirit of continuous remembrance emphasized in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
When faced with rejection, mockery, or adversity, the believer's greatest strength lies in maintaining consistent connection with Allah through prayer and remembrance rather than becoming preoccupied with the words of critics. This ayah teaches that structured worship at specific times throughout the day anchors the soul and brings inner peace (rida) regardless of external circumstances.