سُوْرَةُ البَقَرَةِ
Surah Al-Baqara (2) — Ayah 238
حَـٰفِظُوا۟ عَلَى ٱلصَّلَوَٰتِ وَٱلصَّلَوٰةِ ٱلْوُسْطَىٰ وَقُومُوا۟ لِلَّهِ قَـٰنِتِينَ ﴿238﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Guard strictly (five obligatory) As-Salawât (the prayers) especially the middle Salât (i.e. the best prayer - ‘Asr ). And stand before Allâh with obedience [and do not speak to others during the Salât (prayers)].
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
حَـٰفِظُوا۟
ḥāfiẓū
Guard strictly
عَلَى
ʿalā
[on]
ٱلصَّلَوَٰتِ
l-ṣalawāti
the prayers
وَٱلصَّلَوٰةِ
wal-ṣalati
and the prayer
ٱلْوُسْطَىٰ
l-wus'ṭā
[the] middle
وَقُومُوا۟
waqūmū
and stand up
لِلَّهِ
lillahi
for Allah
قَـٰنِتِينَ
qānitīna
devoutly obedient
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.
(Ayah238) ➊ {حٰفِظُوْا عَلَى الصَّلَوٰتِ وَ الصَّلٰوةِ الْوُسْطٰى:} Shah Abdul Qadir (may Allah have mercy on him) says: "The middle prayer is Asr, as it is between day and night, and its observance has been emphasized more. In the rulings of divorce, the mention of prayer has been made so that, being absorbed in worldly affairs, you do not forget worship. The command to observe Asr more strictly is because worldly occupations are greater at that time." (Mawdhih)
➋ By protection is meant to be mindful of the time. Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that I asked the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him): "Which deed is most beloved to Allah among all deeds?" He said: "Prayer at its proper time." [بخاری، الصلاۃ، باب فضل الصلوۃ لوقتہا : ۵۲۷]
➌ {وَ الصَّلٰوةِ الْوُسْطٰى :} There is indeed a difference of opinion about this, but according to the majority of scholars, what is meant by it is the Asr prayer. This is the authentic and preferred view, and it is supported by numerous hadiths. In the books of Bukhari, Muslim, and Sunan, it is narrated from several companions that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said on the occasion of the Battle of Ahzab: [شَغَلُوْنَا عَنِ الصَّلاَۃِ الْوُسْطٰی صَلاَۃِ الْعَصْرِ مَلَأَ اللّٰہُ بُیُوْتَہُمْ وَ قُبُوْرَہُمْ نَارًا] [ مسلم، المساجد، باب الدلیل لمن … : 627/205۔ بخاری : ۶۳۹۶] "They kept us from Salat al-Wusta, that is, the Asr prayer. May Allah fill their houses and graves with fire." This is also supported by the reports of many companions.
Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever misses the Asr prayer, it is as if his family and wealth have been taken away from him." [ بخاری، مواقیت الصلوۃ، باب إثم من فاتتہ العصر : ۵۵۲۔ مسلم : ۶۲۶]
➍ {قٰنِتِيْنَ:} Stand obediently, meaning do not make any such movement in prayer that would indicate a person is not in the state of prayer, such as eating, drinking, or talking to someone. In the Arabic language, "qunut" has several meanings, but here it means silence. Zaid bin Arqam (may Allah be pleased with him) says: "We used to talk to each other in prayer; anyone would speak to his brother (who was in prayer) for any need, until this verse was revealed: «حٰفِظُوْا عَلَى الصَّلَوٰتِ وَ الصَّلٰوةِ الْوُسْطٰى وَ قُوْمُوْا لِلّٰهِ قٰنِتِيْنَ» Then we were commanded to remain silent (in prayer) and forbidden from talking." [ بخاری، التفسیر، باب «و قوموا للہ …» : ۴۵۳۴۔ مسلم، المساجد، باب تحریم الکلام … : ۵۳۹]
➋ By protection is meant to be mindful of the time. Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that I asked the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him): "Which deed is most beloved to Allah among all deeds?" He said: "Prayer at its proper time." [بخاری، الصلاۃ، باب فضل الصلوۃ لوقتہا : ۵۲۷]
➌ {وَ الصَّلٰوةِ الْوُسْطٰى :} There is indeed a difference of opinion about this, but according to the majority of scholars, what is meant by it is the Asr prayer. This is the authentic and preferred view, and it is supported by numerous hadiths. In the books of Bukhari, Muslim, and Sunan, it is narrated from several companions that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said on the occasion of the Battle of Ahzab: [شَغَلُوْنَا عَنِ الصَّلاَۃِ الْوُسْطٰی صَلاَۃِ الْعَصْرِ مَلَأَ اللّٰہُ بُیُوْتَہُمْ وَ قُبُوْرَہُمْ نَارًا] [ مسلم، المساجد، باب الدلیل لمن … : 627/205۔ بخاری : ۶۳۹۶] "They kept us from Salat al-Wusta, that is, the Asr prayer. May Allah fill their houses and graves with fire." This is also supported by the reports of many companions.
Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever misses the Asr prayer, it is as if his family and wealth have been taken away from him." [ بخاری، مواقیت الصلوۃ، باب إثم من فاتتہ العصر : ۵۵۲۔ مسلم : ۶۲۶]
➍ {قٰنِتِيْنَ:} Stand obediently, meaning do not make any such movement in prayer that would indicate a person is not in the state of prayer, such as eating, drinking, or talking to someone. In the Arabic language, "qunut" has several meanings, but here it means silence. Zaid bin Arqam (may Allah be pleased with him) says: "We used to talk to each other in prayer; anyone would speak to his brother (who was in prayer) for any need, until this verse was revealed: «حٰفِظُوْا عَلَى الصَّلَوٰتِ وَ الصَّلٰوةِ الْوُسْطٰى وَ قُوْمُوْا لِلّٰهِ قٰنِتِيْنَ» Then we were commanded to remain silent (in prayer) and forbidden from talking." [ بخاری، التفسیر، باب «و قوموا للہ …» : ۴۵۳۴۔ مسلم، المساجد، باب تحریم الکلام … : ۵۳۹]
