“Then he will neither die therein nor live (13). Successful indeed is the one who purifies himself (14), remembers the name of his Lord, and prays (15).”

“Then he will neither die therein,” and thus find relief, “nor live” a life that benefits him.

“Successful indeed is the one who purifies himself”: who cleanses himself of shirk, associating partners with Allah, and says, “There is no god but Allah.” This was the view of Ata and Ikrimah, and the narration of al-Walibi and Sa'id ibn Jubayr from Ibn Abbas (1). Al-Hasan said: It is the one whose deeds are righteous (2).

Others said that it refers to the alms of Eid al-Fitr. It is narrated from Abu Sa'id al-Khudri concerning the words, “Successful indeed is the one who purifies himself,” that he said: “He gives the alms of Eid al-Fitr” (3).

“And remembers the name of his Lord and prays”: that is, he goes out to the Eid prayer and prays. Ibn Mas'ud would say, “May Allah have mercy on a person who gives charity and then prays,” and would then recite this verse (4). Nafi' related that when Ibn Umar had performed the dawn prayer, meaning on the day of Eid, he would say, “Nafi', have you given out the charity?” If I replied, “Yes,” he would proceed to the prayer ground; but if I replied, “No,” he would say, “Then give it out now, for this verse was revealed concerning this: ‘Successful indeed is the one who purifies himself and remembers the name of his Lord and prays.’” This was also the view of Abu al-Aliyah and Ibn Sirin.

Some said: “I do not know the basis for this interpretation, because this surah is Meccan, and there was neither Eid nor the alms of Eid al-Fitr in Mecca” (5).

[The Shaykh and Imam, the Reviver of the Sunnah, may Allah have mercy on him, said:] (6) 190/b It is possible for a revelation to precede the ruling, as Allah says: “And you are free of restriction in this city.” The surah is Meccan, yet the effect of this permission appeared on the day of the Conquest, such that he, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “It was made lawful for me for only an hour of a day” (7). Likewise, the words, “The gathering will be defeated, and they will turn their backs,” were revealed in Mecca (al-Qamar, 45). Umar ibn al-Khattab said: “I did not know which gathering would be defeated, but when the day of Badr came, I saw the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him,”