What does 'Al-'Ashiyy' mean in the Quran?

Al-'Ashiyy (العشي) in the Quran refers to the afternoon, the period from the sun's decline after noon until sunset. It is frequently mentioned with the morning as a blessed time specifically designated by Allah for believers to engage in His remembrance (dhikr) and glorification (tasbih).

Why are morning and afternoon mentioned for remembrance in Islam?

According to scholars like Imam al-Nawawi, the morning and afternoon are prescribed for remembrance (dhikr) so that a believer begins and ends their day in worship. This practice serves as a spiritual protection and expiates for sins committed in between these times, framing the day with divine consciousness.

What is the significance of the afternoon in Surah An-Nazi'at?

In Surah An-Nazi'at (79:46), the afternoon is used symbolically to emphasize the brevity of worldly life. When people see the Day of Judgment, their time on earth will feel as if it lasted for only a single afternoon or morning, highlighting the ephemeral nature of this world compared to the eternity of the Hereafter.

Afternoon (Al-'Ashiyy) in the Quran: Time of Worship and Reflection

Afternoon

العشي

Explore Verses Related to Afternoon

🕋Al-An'am6:52 🕋Maryam19:11 🕋Maryam19:62 🕋Al-Furqan25:5 🕋Ar-Rum30:18 🕌Al-Ahzab33:42 🕋Saba34:12 🕋Sad38:18 🕋Sad38:31 🕌Al-Fath48:9 🕋An-Nazi'at79:46

At a Glance

According to search-discovered classical Islamic scholarship, the term Al-'Ashiyy (العشي) refers to the afternoon, a divinely designated time for worship and remembrance that spans from after the sun's zenith until sunset. Across its 11 mentions in the Quran, it is consistently paired with the morning (al-ibkār or al-ghadāh) to signify the importance of perpetual divine consciousness. Tafsir authorities like Ibn Kathir explain that the command to 'glorify Him morning and afternoon' (33:42) is an instruction for consistent dhikr, which acts as a spiritual shield and a means of purification. The linguistic analysis from classical lexicons confirms its meaning as the latter part of the day, a time for reflection. The synthesis across verses reveals its multi-faceted role: a time for steadfast worship (6:52), a narrative marker in prophetic stories (19:11), a time for divine provision in Paradise (19:62), and a powerful symbol for the brevity of worldly life in the face of eternity (79:46).

📖 Quranic Context

A key time designated for the worship and remembrance of Allah, signifying devotion and spiritual steadfastness.

It is a time when believers are specifically encouraged to turn to their Lord, reinforcing their connection through praise and prayer.

References: Mentioned in 11 verses, often paired with the morning (الغداة or الإبكار) to denote consistent and perpetual worship.

💭 Theological Perspective

Represents a natural time for reflection as the day winds down, which Islam channels into spiritual remembrance.

Ending the active part of the day with dhikr helps instill tranquility in the heart and provides spiritual protection.

The Quran's repeated mention of this time establishes it as a blessed period for believers to gain proximity to Allah.

Consistent worship during the afternoon and morning is a sign of a disciplined and devout believer, leading to the expiation of sins committed in between.

📜 Hadith Perspective

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) established a comprehensive set of remembrances (adhkar) specifically for the morning and evening.

Seeking protection from all harm
Renewing one's faith and tawhid
Gaining immense rewards and forgiveness

Scholars unanimously agree on the virtue of remembering Allah during these times, considering it a cornerstone of a Muslim's daily practice.

💎 Deeper Insights

The Quranic afternoon ('Al-'Ashiyy') functions as a 'Spiritual Bookend'. Paired with the morning, it transforms the day from a mundane period into a sacred space framed by worship, ensuring that a believer's consciousness begins and ends with Allah, which purifies the worldly activities in between. This is a concept only visible when synthesizing verses like 33:42 and the commentary of scholars like Al-Nawawi.

— Al-Nawawi, Ibn Kathir

The afternoon in the Quran serves as a 'Temporal Humility Check'. Its literal use as a time for worship (38:18) is inverted in its eschatological use (79:46), where our entire lifespan is reduced to a mere afternoon. This contrast teaches that the very time we are commanded to worship in is also a symbol of how little time we have, creating a profound sense of urgency in our daily devotion.

— Ibn Kathir, Qatadah