Surah 2 · Verse 238

[2:238] Three timely prayers are mentioned by name: 2:238; 11:114; 17:78 and 24:58. During the revelation of the Quran, like practices such as pilgrimage, fasting, and sharing for betterment, contact prayers too were known. See 8:35; 21:73; 22:78; 107:4. Some people understand the phrase sala al wusta to mean "prayer is good" rather than the "middle prayer," and they have therefore inferred two prayers a day, rather than three prayers. However, diligent research on this issue and the waning of the sectarian influence is helping clarifying the issue. See, the Appendix, Sala Prayer According to the Quran. The interruption of the subject on divorce with verses about the contact prayers does not violate textual coherence, since one of the purposes of the prayer is to ask for God's help and guidance during difficult times, and divorce is one of those times. See 2:45; 29:45.