Tafsir of Al-Isra 17:78

"Establish prayer at the duluk (declining) of the sun..."

Duluk of the sun means its setting. It is also said to mean its zawal (declining from the meridian). It is narrated from the Prophet (ﷺ): "Gabriel (peace be upon him) came to me at the duluk of the sun when it declined, and he led me in the Dhuhr prayer." Its derivation is from dalk (rubbing), because a person rubs their eyes when looking at it. If duluk means zawal, the verse encompasses all five prayers. If it means sunset, then Dhuhr and Asr are excluded from it.

Ghasaq is darkness, which is the time for the Isha prayer.

"Establish the prayer..." refers to the Fajr prayer. It is called Qur'an (recitation) because recitation is its pillar, just as it is called ruku (bowing), sujud (prostration), and qunut (standing). This is an argument against Ibn Ulayyah and al-Asamm in their claim that recitation is not a pillar.

"...witnessed" means it is witnessed by the angels of the night and the day; the latter descend and the former ascend. It is at the end of the night’s register and the beginning of the day’s register. Or, it is witnessed by many worshippers by custom, or it is its right to be witnessed by a large congregation. It is also possible that "Establish the prayer" is an exhortation to lengthen the recitation in the Fajr prayer, as it is highly attended, so that people may hear the Qur'an and the reward may increase; for this reason, Fajr is the longest of the prayers in recitation.

"And from the night, perform tahajjud (vigil) with it..." meaning, perform a portion of the night in prayer. Tahajjud is the abandonment of sleep for prayer, similar to ta'athum (abandoning sin) and taharruj (avoiding blame). It is also used for sleep itself: tahajjada (he slept).

"...as a nafilah (supererogatory act) for you." This is an act of worship additional to the five prayers. Nafilah is placed in the position of tahajjud because tahajjud is an additional act of worship, so both share the same meaning. The meaning is that tahajjud was added for you beyond the obligatory prayers, making it an obligation specifically for you and not for others, whereas it is voluntary for them.

"...a praiseworthy station." It is in the accusative case as an adverbial of place (zarf), meaning: "Perhaps your Lord will resurrect you on the Day of Resurrection and establish you in a praiseworthy station." Or, the verb "resurrect" implies the meaning of "establish." It is also permissible for it to be a state (hal), meaning: "He will resurrect you while you are in a praiseworthy station."

The "praiseworthy station" is the station for which the one standing in it is praised, as well as everyone who sees and recognizes him. It is absolute, encompassing all types of honors that deserve praise. It is said that it refers to the Intercession (Shafa'ah), which is one type of what it encompasses.

Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) said: "A station where the first and the last will praise you, and you will overlook all of creation: you will ask and be given, you will intercede and your intercession will be accepted; there will be no one who is not under your banner."

Abu Hurayrah narrated from the Prophet (ﷺ): "It is the station where I will intercede for my nation."

Hudhayfah narrated: "People will be gathered on a single plain, and no soul will speak. The first to be called will be Muhammad (ﷺ), and he will say: 'At Your service and seeking Your pleasure, all good is in Your hands, and evil is not attributed to You. The guided is he whom You have guided. I am Your servant before You, from You and to You. There is no refuge or escape from You except to You. Blessed and Exalted are You, glory be to You, Lord of the House.'" He said: "This is His saying: 'Perhaps your Lord will resurrect you to a praiseworthy station.'"

"And say, 'My Lord, cause me to enter a truthful entrance and to exit a truthful exit, and grant me from Yourself a supporting authority.'"