سُوْرَةُ الْمَعَارِجِ

Surah Al-Ma'aarij (70) — Ayah 34

The Ascending Stairways · Meccan · Juz 29 · Page 569

وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ عَلَىٰ صَلَاتِهِمْ يُحَافِظُونَ ﴿34﴾
And those who guard their Salât (prayers) well.
وَٱلَّذِينَ wa-alladhīna And those who
هُمْ hum [they]
عَلَىٰ ʿalā on
صَلَاتِهِمْ ṣalātihim their prayer
يُحَافِظُونَ yuḥāfiẓūna keep a guard

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 34) {وَ الَّذِيْنَ هُمْ عَلٰى صَلَاتِهِمْ يُحَافِظُوْنَ :} The description of the worshippers begins with their constancy in prayer and ends with their safeguarding of prayer. This clearly shows the importance of prayer. By safeguarding, it means to be mindful of its timings and to ensure the correct fulfillment of its conditions and pillars. A hypocrite neither prays at the correct time nor performs its pillars with calmness and tranquility in the proper manner. It is narrated from Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) that I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) saying: [ تِلْكَ صَلَاةُ الْمُنَافِقِ يَجْلِسُ يَرْقُبُ الشَّمْسَ حَتَّی إِذَا كَانَتْ بَيْنَ قَرْنَيِ الشَّيْطَانِ قَامَ فَنَقَرَهَا أَرْبَعًا لَا يَذْكُرُ اللَّهَ فِيْهَا إِلَّا قَلِيْلًا ] [مسلم، المساجد، باب استحباب التبکیر بالعصر : ۶۲۲ ] “This is the prayer of the hypocrite: he sits and waits for the sun, until when it is between the two horns of Satan (i.e., when it is about to set), he stands and pecks out four (units) quickly, and he does not remember Allah in it except a little.”

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.

The exegesis of this verse has been done along with the previous verse.

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.

34. And those who guard [21] their prayers,

[21] At the beginning of Surah Al-Mu’minun, the qualities of the believers who attain success are described. These qualities are very similar to those being mentioned here. In Surah Al-Mu’minun, the description of these qualities also began with prayer and ended with prayer. And here, the situation is exactly the same, from which the true importance of prayer in the religion can be properly understood.