Salat Towards Al-Fajr (Qur’an 17:78–79)
A commonly held belief is that the Qur’an prescribes a ritual night prayer known as Tahajjud. However, a closer reading of the text suggests that such an interpretation may not accurately reflect the language and context of the verses.
To begin with, the Qur’an does not describe Salat as a ritual prayer in the narrow sense commonly understood today.
In its literal sense, the word salat carries the meaning of connection, linkage, communication, or engagement.
Consider the modern example of Etisalat in the UAE.
It is a telecommunications company — a company that facilitates communication and connection — not a “prayer company”.
Similarly, the expression Silat al-Raheem literally means joining the womb, referring to maintaining close family ties and relationships.
These linguistic roots suggest that salat fundamentally relates to establishing connections and meaningful engagement.
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The Purpose of Salat
The Qur’an states clearly that the purpose of salat is connected to enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong (al-amr bil-maʿrūf wa-n-nahy ʿan al-munkar).
This relationship is emphasized in Qur’an 29:45, where salat is described as something that restrains wrongdoing.
In practice, this requires illustrating the relationship between cause and effect — explaining how certain actions lead to beneficial outcomes while others lead to harm.
Thus, the meaning of salat becomes much broader than a ritual performed at fixed intervals. It refers to an active engagement with society, communicating truth and guiding people away from harmful conduct.
If someone were performing a ritual prayer and suddenly witnessed a theft taking place, the immediate moral obligation would be to intervene and prevent the wrongdoing. In such a moment, the ritual itself would have to be interrupted.
This simple example illustrates that ritual prayer alone cannot fulfill the Qur’anic command of actively preventing wrongdoing when circumstances demand immediate action.
Some argue that regular ritual prayer shapes a person into a morally upright individual. Yet we also know that many non-Muslims perform good deeds and prevent immoral behavior without observing five daily ritual prayers.
Therefore, the Qur’anic concept of salat must involve something more fundamental: purposeful engagement that communicates truth and consequences clearly.
In essence, salat represents result-oriented action that requires constant communication and participation in society.
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The Salat of Birds
Qur’an 24:41 offers an interesting perspective. The verse speaks of birds performing their salat.
"Do not you see that Allah - glorify Him whoever (is) in the heavens and the earth
and the birds (with) wings outspread?
Each one verily knows its salat and its glorification.
And Allah (is) All-Knower of what they do."
Clearly, birds do not perform ritual prayers.
Yet we can easily recognize what their salat might represent: the coordinated relationships they establish for collective benefit. When birds fly in formation, they take turns leading the group in order to conserve energy for one another.
Their “salat” lies in the functional relationship and coordination that benefits the entire group.
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Understanding Qur’an 17:78
The verse reads:
17:78
aqimi al-salat
Establish the salat (engagement in promoting good and preventing harm)
li-dulūki al-shamsi
At the onset of the shining clarity
ilā ghasaqi al-layl
Until the darkness of the night
wa-qur’āna al-fajr
And the reading of the dawn
inna qur’āna al-fajr kāna mashhūda
Indeed, the reading of enlightenment is witnessed.
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Establishing Salat
The phrase aqimi al-salat does not mean “stand up and perform prayer”.
Rather, it means to establish a system of engagement that promotes goodness and prevents wrongdoing.
A similar phrase appears in Qur’an 42:13:
aqīmū al-dīn — establish the Deen.
Here the command is not to “pray the Deen” but to establish a just code of conduct and social order that leads to peace and justice.
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Allegories in the Qur’an
The Qur’an frequently uses symbolic language.
For example:
- Al-Nar (The Fire) can represent the suffering resulting from destructive actions.
- Jannah (The Garden) can represent a state of peace, security, and inner harmony.
Understanding these metaphors is essential when interpreting other Qur’anic expressions.
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The Meaning of Dulūk
The word dulūk appears only once in the Qur’an and originates from the root d-l-k, which literally means to rub or press.
In classical Arabic usage, it can describe something being rubbed or pressed firmly.
Within the context of this verse, it suggests the moment when clarity presses itself upon our mission or awareness.
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The Meaning of Al-Shams
The word al-shams here may not necessarily refer to the physical sun as a literal object. Rather, it can be understood as an abstract state of illumination or clarity.
It represents a moment when understanding becomes clear and unobstructed.
Such clarity provides the knowledge required to establish salat — meaningful engagement that guides others toward good.
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From Light to Darkness
This clarity (al-shams) must then shine toward the darkness of al-layl.
In this context, al-layl (night) represents a state of unknown knowledge or lack of awareness.
Human progress depends on illuminating these unknown areas.
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The Role of Reading
The Qur’an repeatedly emphasizes the importance of reading.
Reading is a faculty given by God that allows human beings to observe, interpret, and learn from the signs (ayat) around them.
The term Al-Qur’an itself can be understood as referring to this faculty of reading and recitation of signs.
Similarly, terms like:
- Al-Furqan
- Al-Tawrat
- Al-Injil
may be understood not merely as physical books but as divine guidance embedded within human consciousness, much like a program installed within us.
Through reading and reflection, the human mind reaches Al-Fajr — the state of enlightenment.
However, enlightenment in one field does not grant knowledge in all others. Therefore, we must continue reading in order to bring light (al-shams) into other unknown areas (al-layl).
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What is Tahajjud?
The word tahajjud appears in Qur’an 17:79.
Its root meaning refers to remaining awake or rising from sleep, often during the night.
However, the verse may point toward something deeper than simply performing a night prayer.
Qur’an 17:79
wa-mina al-layli
And from the night (the state of not knowing)
fa-tahajjad bi-hi
Remain awake with it (increase awareness with it)
nafilatan laka
An additional effort for you
ʿasā an yabʿathaka rabbuka maqāman maḥmūda
So that your Lord may raise you to a praiseworthy station.
Here, the pronoun “it” is referring back to Al-Qur’an — the faculty of reading and reflection.
Thus, in times when we face uncertainty or lack knowledge, we must remain intellectually awake and continue to seek understanding through reading, reflection, and study.
This process requires extra effort, which is why it is described as an additional undertaking.
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The Outcome of Knowledge
The following verses reinforce this process.
17:80
“Lord, cause me to enter with truth and exit with truth, and grant me from Yourself a supporting authority.”
This reflects a desire for sound reasoning, accurate knowledge, and reliable evidence.
Then comes the natural outcome:
17:81
“Truth has come, and falsehood has vanished. Indeed, falsehood is bound to perish.”
When knowledge illuminates reality, the darkness of ignorance disappears.
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Conclusion
The Qur’an repeatedly emphasizes that seeking knowledge through reading is a central human responsibility.
When we encounter unfamiliar situations — the metaphorical night of uncertainty — we must engage in deeper study and reflection.
In summary:
- We establish salat when clarity (al-shams) becomes evident.
- That clarity eventually reaches the boundaries of the unknown (al-layl).
- At that point, we must awaken our awareness through reading and inquiry (tahajjud).
Through this continuous process of learning and engagement, our understanding grows, and our ability to serve humanity improves.
The result is the elevation described in the verse — a “maqām maḥmūdā”, a praiseworthy station earned through knowledge, understanding, and responsible action.
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