29. Surah Al-'Ankabut (The Spider)

Period Uncertain

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

اتْلُ مَا أُوحِيَ إِلَيْكَ مِنَ الْكِتَابِ وَأَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ...

29:45 [Ali] Recite what is sent of the Book by inspiration to thee, and establish Regular Prayer:

C3471. The tilawat of the Quran implies:

- rehearsing or reciting it, and publishing it abroad to the world;

- reading it to ourselves;

- studying it to understand it as it should be studied and understood (2:121);

- meditating on it so as to accord our knowledge and life and desires with it.

...إِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ تَنْهَى عَنِ الْفَحْشَاء وَالْمُنكَرِ...

for Prayer restrains from shameful and unjust deeds;

...وَلَذِكْرُ اللَّهِ أَكْبَرُ...

and remembrance of Allah is the greatest (thing in life) without doubt.

...وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا تَصْنَعُونَ ﴿٤٥﴾

And Allah knows the (deeds) that ye do.

[[ Yuksel’s note -* 029:045 Sala prayer is a periodic mental connection and communication with God. We should commemorate God alone in our prayers (20:14). Mentioning the names of Muhammad, Ali, Wali, or any other creature contradicts the purpose of sala prayer as defined by God. ]]

Asad’s Version:

29:45 [Asad] CONVEY [unto others] whatever of this divine writ has been revealed unto thee, 40 and be constant in prayer: for, behold, prayer restrains [man] from loathsome deeds and from all that runs counter to reason;" and remembrance of God is indeed the greatest [good]. And God knows all that you do.

Yuksel - The Importance of the Contact Prayers and Call for Unity

29:45 Recite what is inspired to you of the book, and hold the contact prayer; for the contact prayer prohibits evil and vice, and the remembrance of God is the greatest. God knows everything you do.*