"And establish the prayer at the two ends of the day and at the approach of the night," meaning: the five prayers, that they should be established with their ablution, their appointed times, their bowing, and their prostration. The two ends of the day: in the first end is the morning prayer, and in the other end are the noon and afternoon prayers. "And at the approach of the night," meaning: the sunset prayer and the late night prayer. The approaches (zulaf) of the night are its near parts, meaning: its beginnings.

Muhammad said: The singular of zulaf is zulfa; it is said: "He brought me near (azlafani) to you by such and such," meaning: He brought me close. The accusative case of "the two ends of the day and at the approach of the night" is based on it being an adverbial of time, just as you say: "I came at the two ends of the day and the beginnings of the night."

"Indeed, the good deeds," meaning: the five prayers, "remove the evil deeds," meaning: those other than the major sins.

Yahya from al-Rabi' ibn Subayh, from al-Hasan, who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Indeed, the five prayers, and Friday to Friday, are expiations for what occurs between them, so long as the major sins are avoided."