Surah Al Imran Tafseer

الَّذِينَ يَذْكُرُونَ اللّهَ قِيَامًا وَقُعُودًا وَعَلَىَ جُنُوبِهِمْ

Those who remember Allah standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides.

Al-Bukhari recorded that Imran bin Husayn said that the Messenger of Allah said,

صَلِّ قَايِمًا فَإِنْ لَمْ تَسْتَطِعْ فَقَاعِدًا فَإِنْ لَمْ تَسْتَطِعْ فَعَلَى جَنْب

Pray while standing, and if you can't, pray while sitting, and if you cannot do even that, then pray lying on your side.

These people remember Allah in all situations, in their heart and speech,

وَيَتَفَكَّرُونَ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالَارْضِ

and think deeply about the creation of the heavens and the Earth,

contemplating about signs in the sky and earth that testify to the might, ability, knowledge, wisdom, will and mercy of the Creator.

Allah criticizes those who do not contemplate about His creation, which testifies to His existence, Attributes, Shariah, His decree and Ayat.

Allah said,

وَكَأَيِّن مِّن ءَايَةٍ فِى السَّمَـوَتِ وَالاٌّرْضِ يَمُرُّونَ عَلَيْهَا وَهُمْ عَنْهَا مُعْرِضُونَ

وَمَا يُوْمِنُ أَكْثَرُهُمْ بِاللَّهِ إِلاَّ وَهُمْ مُّشْرِكُونَ

And how many a sign in the heavens and the Earth they pass by, while they are averse therefrom. And most of them believe not in Allah except that they attribute partners unto Him. (12:105-106)

Allah also praises His believing servants,

الَّذِينَ يَذْكُرُونَ اللّهَ قِيَامًا وَقُعُودًا وَعَلَىَ جُنُوبِهِمْ وَيَتَفَكَّرُونَ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالَارْضِ

Those who remember Allah standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and think deeply about the creation of the heavens and the earth,

supplicating;

رَبَّنَا مَا خَلَقْتَ هَذا بَاطِلً

"Our Lord! You have not created this without purpose,"

You did not create all this in jest and play. Rather, You created it in truth, so that You recompense those who do evil in kind, and reward those who do righteous deeds with what is better.

The faithful believers praise Allah and deny that He does anything in jest and without purpose, saying,

سُبْحَانَكَ

"glory to You,"

for You would never create anything without purpose.

فَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ

"Give us salvation from the torment of the Fire."

meaning, "O You Who created the creation in truth and justice, Who is far from any shortcomings, or doing things without purpose or with jest, save us from the torment of the Fire with Your power and strength. Direct us to perform the deeds that make You pleased with us. Guide us to righteous work from which You admit us into the delightful Paradise, and save us from Your painful torment."

They next supplicate