Before this verse there arose, after them, a generation that did not walk in their predecessors’ footsteps; rather, it was “a generation who squandered the prayer and followed their appetites.”

To squander the prayer means to neglect it—
• in its prerequisites, such as purification, covering the private parts, and facing the qiblah;
• in its pillars, such as maintaining calm composure in bowing, prostration, standing, and sitting;
• and in its obligatory elements, such as asking for forgiveness between the two prostrations, saying the tasbīḥ in bowing and prostration, the first tashahhud, and the like.

More serious than this are those who let the prayer slip beyond its appointed time and do not offer it until the time has expired. Such people are either excused—because of sleep or forgetfulness—in which case their prayer is accepted even though it is late, or they have no excuse, in which case their prayer is rejected and will not be accepted from them, even if they repeat it a thousand times.

His words, “and they pursued their lusts,” mean that their only concern is the cravings of their bellies and private parts. They pamper their bodies, chasing whatever delights the flesh, while abandoning the prayer—Allah’s refuge is sought.

Then the Exalted clarified their recompense: “So they will meet with ruin—except those who repent” (Maryam 59-60). This is a threat directed at them, for—Allah protect us—they will meet that ruin, the punishment mirroring the deed: “except those who repent, believe, and act righteously; such people will enter the Garden and will not be wronged in the least.”

The author then cited the ḥadīth of ʿĀ’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) describing the Prophet’s ﷺ standard of living: he never ate his fill of barley bread on two consecutive nights, because of his limited means, peace and blessings be upon him.