This phrase translates “those who when they pray, they care nothing for the prayer, ever”.
Explanation of “Saahoon”:
“Saahoon” is a noun. It is the only time in the entire surah, that a noun is used instead of a verb. It is to signify that there is never a single time that these people care about the prayer.
Meaning of “‘An Salaatihim”:
The “’an salaatihim” here means “their own version of the prayer”. Note that, musalleen was used in the previous ayat, but Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) still used another word “’an salaatihim” for prayer. This is to emphasize that there is never a single time that these people care, even about their own version of the prayer.
Interpretations by Scholars:
According to some of the prominent scholars of Islam of the Tabi’i generation, this may be referring to the person who
- Always (or usually) delays the prayer till the end of stipulated time or prays completely outside of it.
- Does not fulfilling the pillars and conditions of the prayer in the required manner.
- Does not perform prayers with humility and contemplate on its meanings.
Mercy in Allah’s (subhanahu wa ta’ala) Word Choice:
Some scholars have said that it is the mercy of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) that he didn’t say “fi salaatihim saahoon” which would have made this ayat mean these are people that are mindless even a little bit in their prayer. Instead, Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) used “’an salaatihim saahoon” which means that there is never a single time that these people care, about their prayer. This distinction excludes those who may occasionally lose focus but are not habitually neglectful. However, anyone who exhibits any of these characteristics has a portion of this Ayah applicable to them. Those who embody all these characteristics fulfill the description of this Ayah completely, displaying a form of hypocrisy in their actions.
Hadith on the Prayer of Hypocrites:
Hadith from Sunan Abi Dawud
‘Ala b. ‘Abd al-Rahman (radi Allahu anhu) said: We came upon Anas b. Malik (radi Allahu anhu) after the Zuhr prayer. He stood for saying the ‘Asr prayer. When he became free from praying, we mentioned to him about observing prayer in its early period or he himself mentioned it. He said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) say: This is how hypocrites pray, this is how hypocrites pray, this is how hypocrites pray: He sits (watching the sun), and when it becomes yellow and is between the horns of the devil, or is on the horns of the devil, he rises and prays four rak’ahs quickly, remembering Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) only seldom during them.
Quraysh’s Religious Façade:
The Quraysh were custodians of the Kaaba and Makkah was a religious society even if they did shirk. If they were going to be incharge of the society, they had to at least look religious. So, even though they were not interested in their (mushrik) prayer at all, they still had to go and do it because they had to show face.
Meaning of Ayat #5
Those who when they pray, there is never a single time that these people care, even about their own version of the prayer.