Tafsir of Ar-Rum 30:17

[Context] Having mentioned the promise (of reward) and the threat (of punishment), He follows it with the mention of what leads to the promise and saves one from the threat.

[The Meaning of Tasbih] The intended meaning of Tasbih (exaltation) is its apparent meaning: declaring Allah free from evil and praising Him with good at these times, due to the manifest blessings of Allah that are renewed during them. It is also said: it means prayer.

[The Five Prayers in the Quran] It was said to Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both): "Do you find the five prayers in the Quran?" He replied: "Yes," and recited this verse:

• "When you reach the evening" (tumsun): The Maghrib and Isha prayers.
• "When you reach the morning" (tusbihun): The Fajr prayer.
• "And at the time of the afternoon" (ashiyan): The Asr prayer.
• "And when you are at midday" (tuzhirun): The Dhuhr prayer.

The phrase "And at the time of the afternoon" is connected to "When you reach the evening," while the phrase "And to Him is [due all] praise throughout the heavens and the earth" is an interjection between them. Its meaning is: It is incumbent upon all discerning beings in the heavens and the earth to praise Him.

[The Place of Revelation] If you ask: Why did Al-Hasan (may Allah have mercy on him) hold that this verse is Medinan? I say: Because he used to say that the five prayers were made obligatory in Medina, whereas in Mecca, the obligation was two rak'ahs at no specific time. The majority view, however, is that the five were made obligatory in Mecca.

[Hadith and Traditions]

• From Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her): "Prayer was made obligatory as two rak'ahs. When the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) arrived in Medina, the prayer of travel remained as it was, and the prayer of residence was increased."
• From the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him): "Whoever wishes to be measured with the fullest measure, let him say: 'So exalted is Allah when you reach the evening and when you reach the morning...' [to the end of the verse]."
• From him (peace be upon him): "Whoever says when he reaches the morning: 'So exalted is Allah when you reach the evening and when you reach the morning' up to His saying: '...and thus will you be brought out,' will attain what he missed during his day. And whoever says it when he reaches the evening will attain what he missed during his night."

[Linguistic Notes]

• In the recitation of Ikrimah: "Hinan tumsun wa hinan tusbihun" (at a time when you reach the evening and at a time when you reach the morning). The meaning is: "at the time in which you reach the evening and the morning," similar to His saying: "A day [when] no soul will suffice for another soul at all" (meaning: in that day).
• "He brings the living out of the dead": The bird from the egg.
• "And brings the dead out of the living": The egg from the bird.
• "And brings to life the earth": By bringing forth vegetation from it.
• "And thus will you be brought out": Just like that bringing forth, you will be brought out from the graves and resurrected. The meaning is that the initial creation and the resurrection are equal in the power of the One who is capable of alternation and reversal—bringing the dead from the living, the living from the dead, giving life to the dead, and causing the living to die.
• Al-Mayyit (the dead) is also read with a shaddah (emphasis). Tukhrajun (you will be brought out) is also read with a fatha on the ta.

[Verses 20-21]

• "And of His signs is that He created you from dust; then, suddenly you were human beings dispersing."
• "And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought."