Juz 12: Hūd 6 to Yūsuf 52
Section 16 of 19 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
15. Establishing Prayer and Forbidding Evil
Among the most significant spiritual directives in Surah Hood is Allah's command to establish prayer at specific times of the day, emphasizing its role in spiritual purification:
أَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ طَرَفَيِ النَّهَارِ وَزُلَفًا مِّنَ اللَّيْلِ إِنَّ الْحَسَنَاتِ يُذْهِبْنَ السَّيِّئَاتِ ذَلِكَ ذِكْرَىٰ لِلذَّاكِرِينَ
“And establish Salāh at both ends of the day, and in the early hours of the night. Surely, good deeds erase bad deeds. That is a reminder for the mindful." [11:114]”
This verse presents a profound spiritual principle: the establishment of regular prayer serves as a means of purification from sins. Allah (swt) instructs believers to establish prayer at the two ends of the day (morning and evening) and during portions of the night. This regular rhythm of worship creates a spiritual framework that shapes the believer's entire day.
The statement that "good deeds erase bad deeds" reveals a fundamental aspect of Allah's mercy. The regular performance of prayer, which represents the highest form of good deeds, has the spiritual effect of removing the stains of minor sins from one's record. This continuous process of purification through prayer allows the believer to maintain spiritual clarity and connection with Allah (swt).
This verse is complemented by the essential Islamic principle of nahi anil munkar (forbidding evil), expressed in the following verse:
فَلَوْلَا كَانَ مِنَ الْقُرُونِ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ أُولُو بَقِيَّةٍ يَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْفَسَادِ فِي الْأَرْضِ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا مِّمَّنْ أَنجَيْنَا مِنْهُمْ وَاتَّبَعَ الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا مَا أُتْرِفُوا فِيهِ وَكَانُوا مُجْرِمِينَ
“Then, why were there not, among the generations before you, persons having wisdom, who would have prevented (others) from creating disorder in the land, except a few among them whom We saved (from Our punishment)? And the wrongdoers pursued the luxuries they were involved in, and they became sinners." [11:116]”
This verse provides a critical historical lesson and a warning for the current community of believers. Allah (swt) laments the absence of righteous individuals in previous generations who could have prevented corruption and evil from spreading throughout their societies. Only a small number of such reformers existed, whom Allah saved from destruction. The majority, however, pursued worldly pleasures and became immersed in sin.
The following verse (11:117) contains one of the most significant principles for community preservation:
وَمَا كَانَ رَبُّكَ لِيُهْلِكَ الْقُرَىٰ بِظُلْمٍ وَأَهْلُهَا مُصْلِحُونَ
“Your Lord was not to destroy the towns unjustly while their people were good in their conduct." [11:117]”
This verse establishes a divine law of collective security – Allah (swt) will not destroy communities as long as there are people within them who are working for reform and righteousness. This emphasizes the critical importance of having reformers and those who forbid evil within every community. Their presence serves as a protection against divine punishment.
The combination of establishing prayer and forbidding evil represents two essential pillars of Islamic practice – the internal spiritual discipline (prayer) and the outward social responsibility (enjoining good and forbidding evil). Together, they form a comprehensive approach to personal and communal righteousness. The former purifies the individual, while the latter preserves society.
These verses also highlight the importance of sabr (patience) and social activism, themes that appear consistently throughout the stories of the prophets in Surah Hood. Just as the prophets patiently endured opposition while calling their people to righteousness, believers are called to demonstrate the same commitment to social reform and spiritual discipline, regardless of the challenges they face.