فَإِذا فَرَغتَ فَانصَب

So when you are done, appoint.

EXEGESIS

Faraghta (you are done) is derived from the root word f-r-gh which means to become free from doing something, to be unoccupied, or to become empty.

Fanṣab is combined of the imperative verb, inṣab, and the prefix fa. It is from the root n-ṣ-b which means to tire by continuing to be busy with something,^{‎[1]Lisan, 1/758; Ayn, 7/135.} undergoing hardship, and enduring discomfort. It also means to appoint and nominate.

EXPOSITION

The exegetes have suggested a number of different explanations for this verse.

The author of Aḥsan al-Ḥadīth^{‎[2]Ahsan al-Hadith, 12/274.} maintains that given difficulties are followed by opportunities and ease, this verse asserts that when you have completed an action, strive towards another action and work hard and yearn towards your Lord. Ṭabrisī^{‎[3]Tabrisi, 10/772.} on the other hand suggests that the verse means whenever you complete your obligatory prayers, raise your hands before God and ask for your wishes for He will fulfil them. Furthermore, Ibn Masʿūd opines that it means when you complete the obligatory prayers, try hard to wake for the supererogatory night prayers.^{‎[4]Tabrisi, 10/771.} When Ali ibn Ṭalḥah was asked about this verse he replied: ‘There has been much discussion about it; what we have heard about its meaning is that whenever you recover from being sick, start worshiping God.’^{‎[5]Tabrisi, 10/773.}

Makārim Shīrāzī suggest that it means: ‘Never be idle, don’t give up your efforts, be constantly engaged in hard work, and make the end of an important task the beginning of another important job.’^{‎[6]Nemuneh, 27/127.}

These various interpretations can all be considered as instances of it rather than its interpretation. For example, turning to God for supplication following performing prayers is an instance of performing another important action following the completion of a prior action.

INSIGHTS FROM HADITH

1. Imam al-Ṣādiq (a) said regarding this verse: ‘It is supplication after prayers whilst still sitting.’^{‎[7]Tabrisi, 10/773.}
2. It has been narrated from Imam al-Ṣādiq (a) and Imam al-Bāqir (a) explaining the meaning of naṣaba to mean difficulty and hardship, highlighting that one should not remain idle after completing an important, difficult task.^{‎[8]Tabrisi, 10/772.}
3. It is narrated from Imam al-Ṣādiq (a) that fa idhā faraghta fanṣab means: ‘Whenever you have completed your mission as a prophet then appoint Imam Ali (a).’^{‎[9]Nur, 5/605.}

[1] Lisan, 1/758; Ayn, 7/135.
[2] Ahsan al-Hadith, 12/274.
[3] Tabrisi, 10/772.
[4] Tabrisi, 10/771.
[5] Tabrisi, 10/773.
[6] Nemuneh, 27/127.
[7] Tabrisi, 10/773.
[8] Tabrisi, 10/772.
[9] Nur, 5/605.