“who are humble in their prayer,
and who turn away from idle talk,
and who give zakah,
and who guard their chastity,
except with their spouses or those whom their right hands possess, for then they are free from blame—
but whoever seeks beyond that, it is they who are the transgressors—
and who honour their trusts and their pledges,
and who carefully observe their prayers.”
It has already been explained that these qualities are obligatory. Likewise, in Surah Sa’ala Sā’il, He says:
“Indeed, mankind was created anxious:
distressed when evil touches him,
and withholding when good touches him—
except those who pray,
who are constant in their prayer,
and in whose wealth there is a recognized right
for the beggar and the deprived,
and who believe in the Day of Recompense,
and who are fearful of their Lord’s punishment—
indeed, none can feel secure from their Lord’s punishment—
and who guard their chastity,
except with their spouses or those whom their right hands possess, for then they are free from blame—
but whoever seeks beyond that, it is they who are the transgressors—
and who honour their trusts and their pledges,
and who uphold their testimonies,
and who carefully observe their prayer.”
Thus He condemns all mankind apart from those He exempts. Whoever does not possess the qualities of those He exempts is therefore blameworthy, as in His words, Exalted is He:
“By time,
indeed, mankind is in loss,
except those who believe and do righteous deeds, and urge one another to truth and urge one another to patience.”
And He, Exalted is He, says:
“But they were succeeded by generations who neglected prayer and followed their desires; so they will meet with ruin.”
And He, Exalted is He, says:
“So woe to those who pray,
yet are heedless of their prayer.”
And He, Exalted is He, says:
“Carefully observe the prayers, especially the middle prayer, and stand before Allah in devout obedience.”