سُوْرَةُ النِّسَآءِ
Surah An-Nisaa (4) — Ayah 103
فَإِذَا قَضَيْتُمُ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ فَٱذْكُرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ قِيَـٰمًا وَقُعُودًا وَعَلَىٰ جُنُوبِكُمْ ۚ فَإِذَا ٱطْمَأْنَنتُمْ فَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ كَانَتْ عَلَى ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ كِتَـٰبًا مَّوْقُوتًا ﴿103﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
When you have finished As-Salât (the congregational prayer), remember Allâh standing, sitting down, and (lying down) on your sides, but when you are free from danger, perform As-Salât (Iqamat-as-Salât). Verily, As-Salât (the prayer) is enjoined on the believers at fixed hours.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
فَإِذَا
fa-idhā
Then when
قَضَيْتُمُ
qaḍaytumu
you (have) finished
ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ
l-ṣalata
the prayer
فَٱذْكُرُوا۟
fa-udh'kurū
then remember
ٱللَّهَ
l-laha
Allah
قِيَـٰمًۭا
qiyāman
standing
وَقُعُودًۭا
waquʿūdan
and sitting
وَعَلَىٰ
waʿalā
and (lying) on
جُنُوبِكُمْ ۚ
junūbikum
your sides
فَإِذَا
fa-idhā
But when
ٱطْمَأْنَنتُمْ
iṭ'manantum
you are secure
فَأَقِيمُوا۟
fa-aqīmū
then establish
ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ ۚ
l-ṣalata
the (regular) prayer
إِنَّ
inna
Indeed
ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ
l-ṣalata
the prayer
كَانَتْ
kānat
is
عَلَى
ʿalā
on
ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
l-mu'minīna
the believers
كِتَـٰبًۭا
kitāban
prescribed
مَّوْقُوتًۭا
mawqūtan
(at) fixed times
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
(Ayah 103) ➊{ فَاِذَا قَضَيْتُمُ الصَّلٰوةَ …:} That is, in Salat al-Khawf (the prayer of fear), the remembrances (adhkar) cannot be completed during the prayer, so after the prayer is finished, remember Allah while standing, sitting, and lying down in every condition, so that any deficiency may be compensated. Besides this, there should be abundant remembrance (dhikr) of Allah in every situation. On the occasion of battle, Allah Almighty has given a special command for this, He said: «{ اِذَا لَقِيْتُمْ فِئَةً فَاثْبُتُوْا وَ اذْكُرُوا اللّٰهَ كَثِيْرًا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُوْنَ }» [ الأنفال : ۴۵ ] "When you face a group (of the enemy), stand firm and remember Allah much, so that you may succeed."
➋ { فَاِذَا اطْمَاْنَنْتُمْ فَاَقِيْمُوا الصَّلٰوةَ:} That is, when the state of fear is over and there is no longer any danger from the enemy, then perform the prayer with all its complete pillars, conditions, and limits at the prescribed times. However, during travel, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) combined Dhuhr and Asr, and Maghrib and Isha, as he did in Arafat, Muzdalifah, and other journeys, so the concession of combining prayers during travel is also from Allah alone, because the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) did not have the authority to fix the time from himself. Therefore, that is its time.
➋ { فَاِذَا اطْمَاْنَنْتُمْ فَاَقِيْمُوا الصَّلٰوةَ:} That is, when the state of fear is over and there is no longer any danger from the enemy, then perform the prayer with all its complete pillars, conditions, and limits at the prescribed times. However, during travel, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) combined Dhuhr and Asr, and Maghrib and Isha, as he did in Arafat, Muzdalifah, and other journeys, so the concession of combining prayers during travel is also from Allah alone, because the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) did not have the authority to fix the time from himself. Therefore, that is its time.
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
13. 1. The intended meaning here is the prayer of fear; since there has been a concession made in it, to compensate for this, it is being said that you should continue to remember Allah while standing, sitting, and lying down.
13. 2. This means that when the state of fear and battle is over, then the prayer should be performed according to the method that is followed in normal circumstances.
13. 3. In this, there is an emphasis on performing the prayer at its appointed time, from which it is understood that, without a Shariah excuse, combining two prayers is not Sahih, because in doing so, at least one prayer will be performed outside its time, which is against this verse.
13. 2. This means that when the state of fear and battle is over, then the prayer should be performed according to the method that is followed in normal circumstances.
13. 3. In this, there is an emphasis on performing the prayer at its appointed time, from which it is understood that, without a Shariah excuse, combining two prayers is not Sahih, because in doing so, at least one prayer will be performed outside its time, which is against this verse.
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
103. And when you have finished the prayer, remember Allah while standing, sitting, and lying on your sides. And when you feel secure, then perform the prayer in full. Indeed, prayer has been prescribed for the believers at fixed times [141].
[141] The times of prayers: During war, prayer can only be performed whenever the opportunity arises; even during this period, Allah should be remembered at all times. Then, when conditions return to normal, prayers should also be performed as usual, and the times of prayers should be observed. According to the hadiths, the times of prayers are as follows:
1. The Prophet ﷺ said: "The time for Zuhr is from when the sun passes its zenith until a man's shadow is equal to his height. The time for Asr is (from when the shadow is equal to the height) until the sun becomes yellow. The time for Maghrib is (from sunset) until the twilight disappears. The time for Isha is (from the disappearance of twilight) until the middle of the night. And the time for Fajr is from the appearance of dawn until sunrise." [مسلم، کتاب المساجد و مواضع الصلٰوۃ باب اوقات الصلٰوۃ الخمس]
2. Abdullah bin Umar ؓ and Abu Hurairah ؓ both say that the Prophet ﷺ said: "In the summer, perform the Zuhr prayer when it is cooler, for the severity of heat is from the steam of Hell." [بخاری، کتاب، مواقیت الصلٰوۃ، باب الابراد بالظھر فی شدۃ الحر۔۔ مسلم، کتاب المساجد و مواضع الصلوۃ باب استحباب الابراد بالظھر فی شدۃ الحرم]
3. Sayyidah Aisha ؓ says that we women, wrapped in our sheets, when we finished the Fajr prayer and left the mosque, due to the darkness, no one could recognize us. [بخاری، کتاب مواقیت الصلٰوۃ، باب وقت الفجر]
4. Sayyidah Aisha ؓ says that once the Prophet ﷺ led the Isha prayer when a considerable part of the night had passed. Then he said: "If it were not difficult for my ummah, the actual time for Isha would be this time." [بخاری، کتاب مواقیت الصلٰوۃ، باب النوم قبل العشاء لمن غلب]
5. Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah ؓ says: "The Prophet ﷺ would lead the Fajr prayer at a time when any of us, after finishing, could recognize the person next to him, and he would recite sixty to a hundred verses in this prayer. He would perform Zuhr when the sun had declined. Asr would be performed at a time when a person could pray Asr and reach the farthest part of the city (about four miles) to his home, and the sun would still be bright. Maghrib would be at sunset, and for Isha, he did not mind delaying it until a third of the night had passed." [بخاری، کتاب مواقیت الصلٰوۃ، باب وقت الظہر عند الزوال]
6. Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah ؓ says that the Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever catches one rak'ah of Asr before sunset should complete his prayer (his prayer is considered performed on time), and whoever catches one rak'ah of Fajr before sunrise should also complete his prayer." [بخاری، کتاب مواقیت الصلٰوۃ، باب من ادرک رکعۃ من العصر قبل الغروب]
7. Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas ؓ says that the Prophet ﷺ forbade praying after the Fajr prayer until the sun rises, and after the Asr prayer until the sun sets. [بخاری، کتاب مواقیت الصلٰوۃ باب الصلٰوۃ بعد الفجر حتی ترتفع الشمس]
8. Abdullah bin Abi Qatadah ؓ narrates from his father that (on the return from Khaybar) we were traveling at night with the Prophet ﷺ. Some people said, "O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! Would it not be good if we stopped here?" The Prophet ﷺ said: "I fear you will fall asleep and not wake up for the Fajr prayer." Sayyiduna Bilal ؓ said, "I will wake you up." So everyone slept, and Bilal ؓ leaned against his camel and also fell asleep. Then the Prophet ﷺ woke up when the edge of the sun had risen. The Prophet ﷺ asked Bilal ؓ: "What happened to your promise?" Bilal ؓ replied, "I experienced such sleep as I had never experienced before." The Prophet ﷺ said: "Allah took your souls when He willed and returned them when He willed. O Bilal, get up and give the call to prayer." So Bilal ؓ gave the adhan. The Prophet ﷺ performed ablution, and when the sun had risen and become white, he stood and performed the prayer. [بخاری، کتاب مواقیت الصلٰوۃ۔ باب الاذان بعد ذھاب الوقت]
9. Sayyiduna Anas ؓ says that the Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever forgets to perform a prayer or sleeps through its time, its expiation is to perform it as soon as he remembers." [بخاری، کتاب مواقیت الصلٰوۃ، باب من نسی صلٰوۃ فلیصل اذا ذکرھا۔۔ مسلم، کتاب المساجد و مواضع الصلٰوۃ، باب قضاء الصلٰوۃ الفائتۃ۔۔ الخ]
10. The Prophet ﷺ said: "The prayer of the hypocrite is that he keeps watching the sun until it is between the two horns of Satan, then he stands and pecks out four (quick) units, and remembers Allah only a little." [مسلم، کتاب الصلٰوۃ، باب استحباب التبکیر بالعصر]
11. Sayyidah Umm Farwah ؓ says that someone asked the Prophet ﷺ: "Which deed is best?" The Prophet ﷺ said: "To perform the prayer at its earliest time." [ترمذی، ابواب الصلٰوۃ، باب ماجاء فی الوقت الاول من الفضل]
12. Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar ؓ says that the Prophet ﷺ said: "The pleasure of Allah is in performing the prayer at its earliest time, and performing it at the last time is a concession from Allah." [ترمذي، حواله ايضاً]
13. Sayyidah Aisha ؓ says that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ never performed any prayer at its last time except twice, until he passed away. [ترمذي، حواله ايضاً]
14. Sayyiduna Ali ؓ bin Abi Talib says that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to me: "Ali! Do not delay three things: (1) Prayer when its time arrives, (2) Burial of the deceased when you are present, (3) And the marriage of an unmarried man or woman when a suitable match is found." [ترمذي، حواله ايضاً]
[141] The times of prayers: During war, prayer can only be performed whenever the opportunity arises; even during this period, Allah should be remembered at all times. Then, when conditions return to normal, prayers should also be performed as usual, and the times of prayers should be observed. According to the hadiths, the times of prayers are as follows:
1. The Prophet ﷺ said: "The time for Zuhr is from when the sun passes its zenith until a man's shadow is equal to his height. The time for Asr is (from when the shadow is equal to the height) until the sun becomes yellow. The time for Maghrib is (from sunset) until the twilight disappears. The time for Isha is (from the disappearance of twilight) until the middle of the night. And the time for Fajr is from the appearance of dawn until sunrise." [مسلم، کتاب المساجد و مواضع الصلٰوۃ باب اوقات الصلٰوۃ الخمس]
2. Abdullah bin Umar ؓ and Abu Hurairah ؓ both say that the Prophet ﷺ said: "In the summer, perform the Zuhr prayer when it is cooler, for the severity of heat is from the steam of Hell." [بخاری، کتاب، مواقیت الصلٰوۃ، باب الابراد بالظھر فی شدۃ الحر۔۔ مسلم، کتاب المساجد و مواضع الصلوۃ باب استحباب الابراد بالظھر فی شدۃ الحرم]
3. Sayyidah Aisha ؓ says that we women, wrapped in our sheets, when we finished the Fajr prayer and left the mosque, due to the darkness, no one could recognize us. [بخاری، کتاب مواقیت الصلٰوۃ، باب وقت الفجر]
4. Sayyidah Aisha ؓ says that once the Prophet ﷺ led the Isha prayer when a considerable part of the night had passed. Then he said: "If it were not difficult for my ummah, the actual time for Isha would be this time." [بخاری، کتاب مواقیت الصلٰوۃ، باب النوم قبل العشاء لمن غلب]
5. Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah ؓ says: "The Prophet ﷺ would lead the Fajr prayer at a time when any of us, after finishing, could recognize the person next to him, and he would recite sixty to a hundred verses in this prayer. He would perform Zuhr when the sun had declined. Asr would be performed at a time when a person could pray Asr and reach the farthest part of the city (about four miles) to his home, and the sun would still be bright. Maghrib would be at sunset, and for Isha, he did not mind delaying it until a third of the night had passed." [بخاری، کتاب مواقیت الصلٰوۃ، باب وقت الظہر عند الزوال]
6. Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah ؓ says that the Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever catches one rak'ah of Asr before sunset should complete his prayer (his prayer is considered performed on time), and whoever catches one rak'ah of Fajr before sunrise should also complete his prayer." [بخاری، کتاب مواقیت الصلٰوۃ، باب من ادرک رکعۃ من العصر قبل الغروب]
7. Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas ؓ says that the Prophet ﷺ forbade praying after the Fajr prayer until the sun rises, and after the Asr prayer until the sun sets. [بخاری، کتاب مواقیت الصلٰوۃ باب الصلٰوۃ بعد الفجر حتی ترتفع الشمس]
8. Abdullah bin Abi Qatadah ؓ narrates from his father that (on the return from Khaybar) we were traveling at night with the Prophet ﷺ. Some people said, "O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! Would it not be good if we stopped here?" The Prophet ﷺ said: "I fear you will fall asleep and not wake up for the Fajr prayer." Sayyiduna Bilal ؓ said, "I will wake you up." So everyone slept, and Bilal ؓ leaned against his camel and also fell asleep. Then the Prophet ﷺ woke up when the edge of the sun had risen. The Prophet ﷺ asked Bilal ؓ: "What happened to your promise?" Bilal ؓ replied, "I experienced such sleep as I had never experienced before." The Prophet ﷺ said: "Allah took your souls when He willed and returned them when He willed. O Bilal, get up and give the call to prayer." So Bilal ؓ gave the adhan. The Prophet ﷺ performed ablution, and when the sun had risen and become white, he stood and performed the prayer. [بخاری، کتاب مواقیت الصلٰوۃ۔ باب الاذان بعد ذھاب الوقت]
9. Sayyiduna Anas ؓ says that the Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever forgets to perform a prayer or sleeps through its time, its expiation is to perform it as soon as he remembers." [بخاری، کتاب مواقیت الصلٰوۃ، باب من نسی صلٰوۃ فلیصل اذا ذکرھا۔۔ مسلم، کتاب المساجد و مواضع الصلٰوۃ، باب قضاء الصلٰوۃ الفائتۃ۔۔ الخ]
10. The Prophet ﷺ said: "The prayer of the hypocrite is that he keeps watching the sun until it is between the two horns of Satan, then he stands and pecks out four (quick) units, and remembers Allah only a little." [مسلم، کتاب الصلٰوۃ، باب استحباب التبکیر بالعصر]
11. Sayyidah Umm Farwah ؓ says that someone asked the Prophet ﷺ: "Which deed is best?" The Prophet ﷺ said: "To perform the prayer at its earliest time." [ترمذی، ابواب الصلٰوۃ، باب ماجاء فی الوقت الاول من الفضل]
12. Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar ؓ says that the Prophet ﷺ said: "The pleasure of Allah is in performing the prayer at its earliest time, and performing it at the last time is a concession from Allah." [ترمذي، حواله ايضاً]
13. Sayyidah Aisha ؓ says that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ never performed any prayer at its last time except twice, until he passed away. [ترمذي، حواله ايضاً]
14. Sayyiduna Ali ؓ bin Abi Talib says that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to me: "Ali! Do not delay three things: (1) Prayer when its time arrives, (2) Burial of the deceased when you are present, (3) And the marriage of an unmarried man or woman when a suitable match is found." [ترمذي، حواله ايضاً]
