Surah Tā Hā

In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.

[Surah Tā Hā (20): Verse 10]
“When he saw a fire, he said to his family, ‘Stay here. I have seen a fire. Perhaps I can bring you a burning brand from it, or find guidance at the fire.’” (10)

It has been said that the verbal noun is annexed to its agent, meaning: “so that I may remember you through it.”

Another view is that it is annexed to the one remembered, meaning: “so that you may remember Me through it.” On this interpretation, the lām indicates purpose. It has also been said that it indicates time, meaning: “Establish prayer at the time of My remembrance,” as in His words:

17:78 “Establish prayer at the sun’s decline.”

And His words, Most High:

21:47 “We shall set up the scales of justice for the Day of Resurrection.”

This meaning is intended by the verse, but interpreting it as the verse’s meaning is open to question, because this temporal lām is used with nouns denoting time and adverbials. “Remembrance,” however, is a verbal noun—unless an omitted reference to time is understood, yielding: “at the time of My remembrance.” This is possible.

The more apparent interpretation is that the lām indicates purpose: “Establish prayer for the sake of remembering Me.” This necessarily entails establishing prayer when He is remembered. Whenever a servant remembers his Lord, Allah’s remembrance of him precedes his remembrance of Allah, for when Allah remembered him, He inspired him to remember Him. Thus, all three meanings are true.

The words of Allah—exalted be His mention.