فَاصْبِرْ عَلَىٰ مَا يَقُولُونَ وَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ قَبْلَ طُلُوعِ الشَّمْسِ وَقَبْلَ الْغُرُوبِ
“So, be patient over what they say, and declare the perfection of your Rabb (Lord/Master) by praising Him before the rising of the sun and before its setting”
The last set of Aayaat of this Surah is directed towards the Messenger ﷺ and how he should respond and react to those who oppose him and the message.
The Ayah couples steadfast patience with directed praise at the two thresholds of the day, guiding focus away from hostile noise and towards Allah’s perfection.
فَاصْبِرْ عَلَىٰ مَا يَقُولُونَ — This implies that the Messenger ﷺ should just be patient and persevere over what they say. It also suggests that you should keep on doing what you are doing and let them say what they are going to say.
This is a powerful lesson for the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ. Regardless of the criticisms, propaganda, ridicule and attacks that are employed against Islam and Muslims are faced with, we need to adopt the stance of: “Persevere patiently over whatever they say and keep on sharing the Qur’an or Islamic message”.
The way in which the Muslim maintains this focus and is not distracted by the criticisms and attacks is by directing his focus to Allah. This is highlighted by His statement following the command to persevere patiently which was given to the Prophet ﷺ to assist him upon the Sabr (patient perseverance): “And declare the perfection of your Rabb (Lord/Master) by praising Him before the rising of the sun and before its setting”.
Meanings:
سَبِّحْ رَبَّكَ (Sabbih Rabbaka) — “Declare the perfection of your Rabb”
سَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ (Sabbih Bi-Hamdi Rabbika) — “Declare the perfection your Rabb by praising and thanking Him”
When you praise and thank Allah you have to be positive. You cannot praise unless you see the goodness and beauty; you cannot be thankful unless you recognise a favour. This is the opposite of complaining.
In a negative climate, your true belief in declaring Allah’s perfection will only materialise when you constantly find reasons to praise and thank Allah.
Like the reality of Makkah, the Muslims today face a very negative and hostile environment. Allah is guiding us to remain focused in such times by focusing on Allah’s perfection.
There are differences of opinion regarding when this is specifically referring to, with some having said that it refers to the times of Fajr and ‘Asr. The words here also highlight the moments when the greatest transformation takes place: when darkness is about to turn into light, and when light is about to turn into darkness.
Declare Allah’s perfection at the times that remind you of complete transformation, because it is Allah alone who can transform your situation.
Allah created the heavens and the earth which were part of a very big plan and there’s a plan for you which will manifest itself — until it does, remain constant.
Jarir bin Abdullah related: He said: We were seated with the Prophet ﷺ when he looked towards the moon on the night of a full moon and said: “No doubt, you shall be presented before your Rabb (Lord and Master) and you shall see Him as you see this moon, you will have no trouble (or difficulty) in seeing Him. So, if you are able to keep from becoming overwhelmed from prayer before the rising of the sun and before its setting, then do so." Then he recited: سَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ قَبْلَ طُلُوعِ الشَّمْسِ وَقَبْلَ الْغُرُوبِ
— Emphasising the diligence upon prayer at these two times