Commentary of the Quran (Chapter 2:3, Part-2)
By: Mohammad Sobhanie
Characteristics of Righteous People
بِسْمِ اللَّـهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
الَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْغَيْبِ وَيُقِيمُونَ الصَّلَاةَ وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ ﴿٣﴾
(Righteous people) are those who believe in the unseen and establish Salaat (the obligatory daily prayers performed five times each day) and spend in charity from what We (Allah) have provided them.
Commentary: The second quality of righteous people is to establish the daily prayers. The verb used in this verse is “Yuqim_una”, which is derived from the words “Iqamah” and “Qyam”, meaning “to raise” an object, such as a flag, pole, or mast of a sailing boat. These objects serve their designed purpose when they are raised
A raised flag manifests sovereignty of a country. A raised pole keeps a tent upright, and a raised mast keeps a sailboat cruising. “Yuqim_una Salaat” means to perform the daily prayers in a manner that all associated benefits of Salaat become apparent in one’s personality.1
Performance of Salaat with proper etiquette restrains man from indecency and evil2 and inculcates in him noble characters such as patience, perseverance, generosity, honesty, integrity, and chastity.3
Etiquette of Salaat may begin with the cloth of the prayer, the water which is used for ablution and the place of prayer. These should be obtained through hallal means. Praying should be read properly, perform calmly and punctually with full awe and reverence of Allah.4
The Prophet mentioned that the daily prayers washes sins as water washes filth from body and cloth. Similarly Imam Ali stated daily prayers cleans sins as wind blows away dry leaves from trees.5
The Quran warns those who are neglectful on their Salaat.6 Sinners will be asked on the Day of Judgment, what did lead them to the hell fire? They will reply that they were not devoted to their Salaat.7
Salaat is a pillar of all Abrahimic religions. After Prophet Abraham raised the walls of Kaaba, he stood next to it and said “O my Lord! Make me and my offspring to establish Salaat.”8 Allah commanded Prophet Musa9 to perform Salaat. Prophet Isa spoke miraculously in his cradle and said Allah had enjoined him to perform Salaat and give charity10. Allah commanded Prophet Mohammad to enjoin his family to perform Salaat.11
References:
1- Al-mizan (Translated to Farsi Language) ,V11,P 62
2- The Quran [29:45]
3- [70:22-34].
4- [23:2,9]
5- sermon -199 of Nahjol-Balgah
6- The Quran [107:4-5]
7- [74:42]
8- [14:40]
9- [20:14]
10- [19:31]
11- [20:132]
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