Tafseer Ibn Kathir of AL 'ANKABUUT [44]

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.''