Surah Al-Ankabut Ayat 44 (29:44 Quran) With Tafsir

Ala-Maududi

(29:44) Allah has created the heavens and the earth in Truth.^[75] Certainly there is a Sign in this for those who believe.^[76]

75. That is, the system of the universe is based on the truth and not on falsehood. Whoever ponders over this system with an unbiased mind will realize that the earth and the heavens owe their existence to reality and fact and not to superstition and fancy. Here there is no possibility that whatever a person may conceive in his mind and whatever philosophy he may invent out of his personal whim and conjecture should fit in with the system. Here only such a thing can succeed and endure, which is in harmony with the reality and actual fact. A structure that is raised on unreal presumptions and hypotheses will ultimately collapse when it clashes with the reality. The system of the universe clearly testifies that its Creator is One God, and One God alone is its Master and Disposer. If a person works against this basic reality on the presumption that this world has no God, or that it has many gods, who devour the offerings of their devotees and in return give them a license to do whatever they please and a guarantee to live in peace and happiness, the reality will not change due to his presumptions, but, on the contrary, he himself will some time meet with a grave disaster.

76. That is, a clear evidence exists in the creation of the earth and the heavens about the truth of Tauhid and the refutation of polytheism and atheism, but this evidence is found only by those who accept the teachings of the Prophets of Allah. Those who deny them do not find it even though they see everything.

Ibn-Kathir

44. Allah created the heavens and the earth with truth. Verily, therein is surely a sign for those who believe. 45. Recite what has been revealed to you of the Book, and perform the Salah. Verily, the Salah prevents from Al-Fahsha’ (immoral sins) and Al-Munkar (evil deeds) and the remembering (praising) of Allah is greater indeed. And Allah knows what you do.) Allah tells us of His immense power, that He created the heavens and the earth with truth, meaning for a higher purpose than mere play,

(that every person may be rewarded for that which he strives) (20:15).

(that He may requite those who do evil with that which they have done, and reward those who do good, with what is best) (53:31).

(Verily, therein is surely a sign for those who believe. ) meaning, there is clear evidence that Allah is alone in creating, controlling, and in His divinity.

Then Allah commands His Messenger and the believers to recite the Qur’an, which means both reciting it and conveying it to people.

(and perform the Salah. Verily, the Salah prevents from Al-Fahsha’ and Al-Munkar and the remembrance of Allah is greater indeed.) Prayer includes two things: the first of which is giving up immoral behavior and evil deeds, i.e., praying regularly enables a person to give up these things. Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu Hurayrah said: “A man came to the Prophet and said, `So-and-so prays at night, but when morning comes, he steals.’ The Prophet said:

(What you are saying (i.e., the Salah) will stop him from doing that.)” Prayer also includes the remembering of Allah, which is the higher objective, Allah says:

(and the remembrance of Allah is greater indeed.) more important than the former.

(And Allah knows what you do.) means, He knows all that you do and say. Abu Al-`Aliyah commented on the Ayah:

(Verily, the Salah prevents from immoral sins and evil wicked deeds) “Prayer has three attributes, and any prayer that contains none of these attributes is not truly prayer: Being done purely and sincerely for Allah alone (Ikhlas), fear of Allah, and remembrance of Allah. Ikhlas makes a person do good deeds, fear prevents him from doing evil deeds, and the remembrance of Allah is the Qur’an which contains commands and prohibitions.” Ibn `Awn Al-Ansari said: “When you are praying, you are doing good, it is keeping you away from immoral sins and evil wicked deeds and what you are doing is part of the remembrance of Allah which is greater.”