ALLAH (SWT) has sent down His BOOK IN TRUTH IN ARABIC... Following the Revealed Verses that are Muhkamatun (Basic with established meaning); are the FOUNDATION OF DEEN ISLAM

---

ELEVEN REVEALED DIVINE TESTIMONIES IN QUR'AN FOR ESTABLISHING PRAYERS AT TWO ENDS OF THE DAY AND AT THE APPROACHES OF THE NIGHT (LATE EVENINGS):

11: 114 And establish regular prayers at the two ends of the day and at the approaches of the night. Translation by Yusuf Ali


30: 17 So glory be to Allah when you enter the night and when you enter the morning--  This verse 17 is for us the mankind. The text and details of the next verse 30: 18,  which reveals as to what happens in the HEAVENS and EARTH, are mentioned later.

76: 25 Remember the name of thy Lord at morning and evening.

13: 15 Whatever beings there are in the heavens and the earth do prostrate themselves to Allah with good will or in spite of themselves: so do their shadows in the mornings and evenings.

18: 28 Restrain thyself along with those who cry unto their Lord at morning and evening, seeking His countenance; and let not thine eyes overlook them...

19: 11 So Zakariya came out to his people from his chamber: he told them by signs to celebrate Allah's praises in the morning and in the evening.

3: 41 ...Remember thy Lord much, and praise (Him) in the early hours of night and morning.

33: 42 And glorify Him morning and evening.

40: 55 and celebrate the Praises of thy Lord in the evening and in the morning.

48: 9 and celebrate his praises morning and evening.

6: 52 Send not away those who call on their Lord morning and evening seeking His Face.

---

Verily, Those who believe not in the Signs of Allah,
Allah will not guide them and theirs will be a grievous penalty.
                      Qur'an 16: 104

---

AN APPEAL TO THE VISITORS:

In the Qur'an Allah has made Religion ISLAM, easy to practice.
Mornings, Evenings and Early Hours of the night are the only PRESCRIBED TIMES for the Established Prayers in the Qur'an. If you do have Direct Testimonies for the PRESCRIBED TIMES for the Zuhr Salah - Noon Prayer or for the 'Asr Salah - Afternoon Prayer,-- similar to the ones quoted for the Fajr, Maghrib and 'Isha Salah --  within the revealed text of the Qur'an, please mail them to me and I will add those verses and amend this article.          Webmaster

---

VERSE 17: 78:

Please read the Arabic text of Verse 17: 78 أَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ لِدُلُوكِ ٱلشَّمۡس إِلَىٰ غَسَقِ ٱلَّيۡلِ وَقُرۡءَانَ ٱلۡفَجۡرِ‌ۖ إِنَّ قُرۡءَانَ ٱلۡفَجۡرِ كَانَ مَشۡہُودً۬ا ِ

Transliteration of 17: 78: 'Aqimis-Salaata li-duluukish-shamsi 'ilaa gasaqil-layli wa qur-'aanal-Fajr;  'inna qur'aanal-Fajri kana mash-huuda.

Translation by M. M. Pickthall: Establish worship at the going down of the sun until the dark of night, and (the recital of) the Qur'an at dawn. Lo! (the recital of) the Qur'an at dawn is ever witnessed.

PART 1:

Please read the dictionary meaning of phrase duloukish-shamsi

Below is the scanned image from page 549 of this Dictionary published by DAR EL-ILM LILMALAYIN, Beirut, Lebanan:



The word for word meaning of:  'Aqimis-Salata li-duloukish-shamsi 'ila gasaqil-layli wa q'ur-'anal-Fajr;

Establish the prayer when sun be about to set or go down till the darkening of the night and the Qur'an (recitation) at dawn;

---

PART 2:

The word for word meaning of:  'inna qur'anal-Fajri kana mash-houda

Verily, the recitation of Qur'an at dawn has testimony.   

A NOTE OF CAUTION FOR THE READERS:

One may come across translations and commentaries that have an alternate meaning of the Arabic Text for the Verse 17: 78, namely, the passing of the sun from it's zenith. And, also there are Dictionaries of the Qur'an that would support these views.

Those who opt for the alternate translation have a serious problem; HOW TO JUSTIFY THE RECITATION OF MID-DAY PRAYERS IN TOTAL SILENCE, WHEN QUR'AN REVEALS:

O' Prophet, say to them: "Whether you call Him Allah or call Him Rahman; it is all the same by whichever name you call Him because for Him are all the Finest names. Offer your Salah neither in too loud a voice nor in too low a voice but seek a middle course." Qur'an 17: 110

Note: Could the Prophet would have said to his followers opposite of what Allah had Commanded him to say?
Is there an authentic HADITH that says to us be silent?  

---

AL-BUKHARI HADITH, Volume 1, Number 345.
Classification: PRAYERS: How prayer was prescribed.
Narrated by Abu Dhar.
The relevant and import part of the Narration from the above Hadith is copied below from the ALIM CD:
The printed text in Arabic and English can be read in Volume 1, Book 8, Chapter 1, Hadith Number 349.
 
(The Prophet is ascending with Gabriel from the 6th heaven)

Then I passed by Abraham and he said, "Welcome! O pious Prophet and pious son." I asked Gabriel, "Who is he?" Gabriel replied, "He is Abraham." The Prophet added, "Then Gabriel ascended with me to a place where I heard the creaking of the pens." Ibn Hazm and Anas bin Malik said: The Prophet
said, "Then Allah enjoined fifty Satat (prayers) on my followers. When I returned with this order of Allah, I passed by Moses who asked me, 'What has Allah enjoined on your followers?' I replied, 'He has enjoined fifty prayers on them.' Moses said, 'Go back to your Lord (and appeal for reduction) for our followers will not be able to bear it.' So I went back to Allah and requested for further reduction and He reduced it to half.
When I passed by Moses again and informed him about it, he said, 'Go back to your Lord as your followers will not be able to bear it.' So I returned to Allah and requested for further reduction and half of it was reduced. I again passed by Moses and he said to me: 'Return to your Lord, for your followers will not be able to bear it. So I returned to Allah and He said, 'These are five Salat and they are all (equal to) fifty (in reward) for My Word does not change.' I returned to Moses and he told me to go back once again. I replied, 'Now I feel shy of asking my Lord again.' Then Gabriel took me till we reached Sidrat-il-Muntaha (Lote tree of the utmost boundary) which was shrouded in colors, indescribable. Then I was admitted into Paradise where I found small (tents or) walls (made) of pearls and its earth was of musk."

---

Inconceivable issues, within the above Narration:

In 33: 21 Allah (s.w.t.) has declared our Beloved Prophet to be:

Verily, in the messenger of Allah you have a good example..  

TO CONFIRM AND ADMIT THE ABOVE NARRATION WITH FULL FAITH TO BE THE FACTUAL TRUE ACCOUNT OF THE TRANSPIRED EVENTS IS TO DOUBT AND DISBELIEVE:
a) PROPHET'S FAITH IN THE VERSES QUOTED BELOW.
b) OUR OWN FAITH IN THE ABOVE QUOTED VERSE.

IF VIEWED IN PROPER PERSPECTIVES, THESE ACCOUNTS ARE NOTHING SHORT OF AFFRONTS AND/OR THE DISRESPECTS TO OUR BELOVED PROPHET OF ISLAM.

5: 7 And call in remembrance the favor of Allah unto you and His Covenant which He ratified with you when you said: "We hear and we obey": and fear Allah for Allah knows well the secrets
of your hearts.
 
It is inconceivable that the Prophet - servant of Allah, upon hearing the Command of enjoining 50 Prayers, he who had fought serious battles for spreading His Word, could have the slightest thought of NOT OBEYING WHAT HE HAD HEARD.

10: 64 There is no changing the Words of Allah that is the Supreme Triumph.
 
It is most unlikely that the Prophet who knew very well, there is No Changing of the Words of Allah, would even think of requesting for REDUCTION OF THE ENJOINED PRAYERS AND MAKE THE REPEATED REQUESTS FOR THEIR REDUCTIONS.

10: 20 Say: "The Unseen is only for Allah (to know)".

How could Prophet Muhammad believe that his predecessor PROPHET MOSES COULD FORESEE THE FUTURE WHICH HE COULD NOT. Furthermore, was he also convinced by the Words of Moses that; ALLAH'S COMMAND WARRANTED A CHANGE?

Upon this is founded the concept of 5 Prayers = 50 Prayers!!!

Note: One does not find the Prophet's Command as such, for the Establishment of Five Prayers within this narration 345 (349).

---

Text added on October 18, 2007:
CLARIFICATION FOR
FOLLOWING THE PROPHET'S 1400 YEAR OLD SUNNAH

Allah has Revealed the following important verses for the verification of THE PROPHET'S AUTHENTIC SUNNAH:

O' Prophet! Fear Allah and do not obey the unbelievers and the hypocrites: certainly Allah is aware and wise. Follow that which is revealed to you from your Rabb: for Allah is aware of what you do. Qur'an 33: 1 - 2.

Say: (O' Prophet) I am no new thing among the messengers (of Allah), nor know I what will be done with me or with you. I but follow that which is revealed to me, and I am but a plain warner. Qur'an 46: 9.

If there was a Revelation in private or otherwise for 5 Prayers, he would not have recited in the Middle Tone only 3 Prayers.

---

Which is the "Middle Prayer" of verse 2: 238 ?
'Asr Prayer (afternoon prayer) or Maghrib Prayer (sunset prayer) ?

Abdullah Yusuf Ali's translation and commentary for 2: 238:

"Guard strictly your (habit of) prayers, especially the Middle Prayer, and stand before Allah in a devout (frame of mind)."

Commentary Number 271 reads: The Middle Prayer : Salat-ul-wusta: may be translated "the best or the most excellent prayer"; Authorities differ as to the exact meaning of this phrase.

My Comment: The Muhkamatun Verse (Basic with established meaning), for the Established Regular Prayers is Verse 11: 114 which reads: "And establish regular prayers at the two ends of the day and at the approaches of the night...". The Middle Prayer out of above revealed Three Prayers would be Maghrib Prayer.

a) The Strictly Guarding of the Maghrib Prayer at Sunset is easy.
b) The Maghrib Prayer is traditionally recited in the Middle Tone.
c) This Arabic term in verse 2: 143 translates the Middle Nation. 

Why is this phrase Salat-ul-wusta  (if it is), in the Plural form ?
Answer: Salat-ul-wusta (Maghrib Prayer) has Two or more than Two Rakats.
This second question and its answer were added on May 27, 2008.

Following Texts were added on October 24, 2007

What to do when an Imam is going to lead the Prayers Silently?

Make the intension niyat  for Glorification Hamd, of that portion.

In response to my Appeal to Visitors; "If you do have Direct Testimonies for the PRESCRIBED TIMES -- similar to the ones quoted for the Fajr, Maghrib and 'Isha Salah... please email". The Visitors have so far quoted 20: 130, 24: 58, 30: 18 and 50: 39-40.

My brief response:

20: 130 Unless a translator wishes to interpret the phrase "the two ends of the day" differently from one quoted above in the explicit Verse number 11: 114, it conveys the same meaning.

24: 58 The timings in this verse are for the laying off the cloths.

30: 18 (Revised on Feb. 23, 2008). The Command of Allah for mankind to glorify Him is in the earlier verse 30: 17. I repeat the text of verse 30: 17 printed earlier. "So glory be to Allah when you enter the night and when you enter the morning--" 

This verse number 30: 18 is a Declaration by Allah revealing to mankind as to what happens in the Heavens and Earth, which we cannot observe or understand. The text reads: And unto Him, the Heavens and Earth declare Allah's sanctity, by night and in the brightness of day. This concept is also supported by verse 17: 44; The seven heavens and the earth and all beings therein declare His glory: there not a thing but celebrates His praise; and yet you understand not how they declare His glory!  Several commentators have erroneously combined verses 17/18 as a Command for mankind

50: 39-40 These verses compliment the Fajr, Maghrib and 'Isha Prayers mentioned in the explicit Verse number 11: 114 and additionally Verse 40 endorses our acts of Glorifying Allah, after the (prescribed) prostrations of these prescribed Prayers

The truth (comes) from Allah alone;
so be not of those who doubt. Qur'an 3: 60

---