فَٱصْبِرْ عَلَىٰ مَا يَقُولُونَ وَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ قَبْلَ طُلُوعِ ٱلشَّمْسِ وَقَبْلَ غُرُوبِهَا ۖ وَمِنْ ءَانَآئِ ٱلَّيْلِ فَسَبِّحْ وَأَطْرَافَ ٱلنَّهَارِ لَعَلَّكَ تَرْضَىٰ
17:79-80; 30:18-19; 50:40-41.
Important Words:
آناء (hours) is the plural of إنی (inyun) and إنی (inan) and أنی (anyun). All these are derived from أنی (ana) which means, its time came; it was or became or drew near; it attained to its full state. إنی (inyun) means, an hour or a short portion of time, or an indefinite time; a time of the night; any hour of the night. مضی إنو من اللیل means, a time of the night passed (Lane & Aqrab).
اطراف is the plural of طرف and means, sides of the day; parts of the day (Aqrab).
Commentary:
Some commentators of the Quran are of the view that by the glorification of God at the hours mentioned in the verse are meant the hours of the five daily Prayers; the words "before the rising of the sun" signifying the morning Prayer; and the words "before its setting" the late afternoon (‘Asr) Prayer; and the expression "and glorify Him in the hours of the night" signifying the evening (Maghrib) and night Prayer (‘Isha), while the words "at the sides of the day" signifying afternoon (Zuhr) Prayer. But whatever the words of the verse may mean it is quite clear that in order to obtain success in life and satisfaction of the mind it is very essential to remember God and glorify Him. God’s constant remembrance is specifically suited to illumine the soul and to bring about peace of mind.
17:79, 80; 30:18, 19; 50:40, 41.
The glorification of God at the hours mentioned in the verse may signify the hours of the five daily Prayers; the words, before the rising of the sun, signifying the Morning (Fajr) Prayer; and the words, before its setting, the Late-afternoon (‘Asr) Prayer; and the expression, and glorify Him in the hours of the night, signifying the Evening Prayer (Maghrib) and Night Prayer (‘Isha’), while the words, parts of the day, signifying the Afternoon (Zuhr) Prayer.