Transliteration:( Yaa bunaiya aqimis-Salaata waamur bilma'roofi wanha 'anil munkari wasbir 'alaa maaa asaabaka inna zaalika min 'azmil umoor )
"O my dear son! Establish [36] prayer and bid the doing of good and forbid [37] evil and be patient [38] over whatever befalls upon you. Surely, those are affairs which require determination [39]."
This portion affirms that prayer (Salaah) was not unique to the followers of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ but was obligatory upon previous nations as well. Although the form and procedure may have differed, the essence of Salaah—as a connection between the servant and Allah—remains unchanged. It is one of the oldest and most honored acts of worship, reflecting complete humility, submission, and devotion to the Creator.
This verse outlines the methodical sequence in da'wah (religious propagation). A preacher or scholar must first embody the good before calling others to it. Practicing what one preaches is essential for sincerity and influence. If one fails to do so, their words lack weight and impact.
Moreover, this command is not exclusive to scholars (Ulama). Every believer is obligated to share whatever knowledge they possess. Even a simple teaching must be passed on with sincerity, making propagation a communal duty, not a limited responsibility.
This part of Luqman’s advice acknowledges the inevitable trials one faces while calling toward good and resisting evil—grief, opposition, illness, and insult. These are to be met with steadfastness and patience. Especially during Islamic propagation, the backlash from ignorant or hostile individuals should not cause one to abandon the effort out of discouragement.
Patience becomes the spiritual shield that allows the believer to remain consistent and composed on the path of righteousness.
The concluding phrase highlights that all these commands—establishing prayer, inviting good, forbidding evil, and enduring patiently—are not trivial tasks. They require determination, moral courage, and inner strength. These are the hallmarks of prophetic conduct, and anyone who carries these responsibilities walks the same noble path as the Prophets, scholars, and righteous of the past.
This verse, therefore, teaches that the foundations of an upright believer are rooted in worship, moral responsibility, da'wah, and patience—and that such a path demands firm resolve and unwavering dedication.
The tafsir of Surah Luqman verse 17 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Luqman ayat 16 which provides the complete commentary from verse 16 through 19.
(31:17) Son, establish Prayer, enjoin all that is good and forbid all that is evil, and endure with patience whatever affliction befalls you.[29] Surely these have been emphatically enjoined.[30]
29. Another meaning can be: “These are things which require courage and resolution. To rise for the reformation of the people and to brave the hardships of the way cannot be the job of a mean-spirited and cowardly person.”
30. Tusair in the original is from sear, a disease in the camel’s neck clue to which it keeps its face turned to one side. The idiom implies the attitude of a person who shows arrogance and vanity, turns his face away and treats others with scant respect.
[1163]- For the reason that they are enjoined by Allāh.
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