Translation:
Observe the ˹five obligatory˺ prayers—especially the middle prayer70—and stand in true devotion to Allah.
Observe the ˹five obligatory˺ prayers—especially the middle prayer70—and stand in true devotion to Allah.
Translation:
Guard strictly your (habit of) prayers, especially the Middle Prayer; 271 and stand before Allah in a devout (frame of mind).
Guard strictly your (habit of) prayers, especially the Middle Prayer; 271 and stand before Allah in a devout (frame of mind).
Commentary:
271 The Middle Prayer. Al Salat al wusta : may be translated "the best or most excellent prayer." Authorities differ as to the exact meaning of this phrase. The weight of authorities seems to be in favour of interpreting this as the 'Asr prayer (in the middle of the afternoon). This is apt to be most neglected, and yet this is the most necessary, to remind us of Allah in the midst of our worldly affairs. (R).
Translation:
BE EVER mindful of prayers, and of praying in the most excellent way; 227 and stand before God in devout obedience.
BE EVER mindful of prayers, and of praying in the most excellent way; 227 and stand before God in devout obedience.
Commentary:
227 Lit., "the midmost [or "the most excellent"] prayer". It is generally assumed that this refers to the mid-afternoon (`asr) prayer, although some authorities believe that it denotes the prayer at dawn (fair). Muhammad `Abduh, however, advances the view that it may mean "the noblest kind of prayer-that is, a prayer from the fullness of the heart, with the whole mind turned towards God, inspired by awe of Him, and reflecting upon His word" (Manar II, 438). - In accordance with the system prevailing throughout the Qur'an, any lengthy- section dealing with social laws is almost invariably followed by a call to God-consciousness: and since God-consciousness comes most fully to its own in prayer, this and the next verse are interpolated here between injunctions relating to marital life and divorce.
227 Lit., "the midmost [or "the most excellent"] prayer". It is generally assumed that this refers to the mid-afternoon (`asr) prayer, although some authorities believe that it denotes the prayer at dawn (fair). Muhammad `Abduh, however, advances the view that it may mean "the noblest kind of prayer-that is, a prayer from the fullness of the heart, with the whole mind turned towards God, inspired by awe of Him, and reflecting upon His word" (Manar II, 438). - In accordance with the system prevailing throughout the Qur'an, any lengthy- section dealing with social laws is almost invariably followed by a call to God-consciousness: and since God-consciousness comes most fully to its own in prayer, this and the next verse are interpolated here between injunctions relating to marital life and divorce.
70 As mentioned in several authentic sayings of Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ), the middle prayer is the afternoon prayer, ’Aṣr.