أَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ
“Establish prayer.”
1. Source wording: The Quranic passage contains wording that tells its addressees to do something. Such a wording is called an imperative form.
2. What we notice: The sentence is not merely reporting information; it directs the establishment of prayer. This is the basic indication of its wording.
3. The Usul question: What legal demand does this command indicate, and how is it applied to its appointed time? Usuli principles answer such questions by examining the wording, indication and relevant context.
4. Limited understanding here: The example shows why a method is needed between a source text and an understood ruling. The detailed rules governing commands are taught later.