أَلَمْ يَعْلَم بِأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَرَىٰ 14
Translations
Does he not know that Allāh sees?
Transliteration
Alam ya'lam bi-anna Allaha yara
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah poses a rhetorical question asking whether Abu Jahl (the context of revelation) does not know that Allah sees all his actions and hidden intentions. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this is a powerful reminder of Allah's omniscience and surveillance of all deeds, both seen and unseen. The ayah serves as a warning that no action escapes Allah's knowledge, implying that such disbelief and arrogance in the face of divine awareness is foolishness.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the context of Abu Jahl's persecution and mockery of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Specifically, it addresses Abu Jahl's arrogant behavior and his attempt to prevent the Prophet from praying at the Ka'bah. The surah Al-'Alaq marks the beginning of revelation, and this later ayah serves as a rebuke to those who oppose the message despite Allah's evident signs.
Related Hadiths
The hadith of Ihsan narrated in Sahih Muslim (8) emphasizes worshipping Allah as if you see Him, for even if you don't see Him, He certainly sees you—directly illustrating the principle of this ayah. Additionally, Surah Al-Hadid (57:4) complements this with the theme of Allah's knowledge and sight over all creation.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that consciousness of Allah's ever-present knowledge should deter us from sin and encourage righteous behavior in private and public alike. It is a call to mindfulness of God (taqwa) and a reminder that our accountability to Allah transcends human observation.
Related Ayahs
وَلَوْ يُؤَاخِذُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلنَّاسَ بِمَا كَسَبُوا۟ مَا تَرَكَ عَلَىٰ ظَهْرِهَا مِن دَآبَّةٍ وَلَـٰكِن يُؤَخِّرُهُمْ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى ۖ فَإِذَا جَآءَ أَجَلُهُمْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِعِبَادِهِۦ بَصِيرًۢا
And if Allāh were to impose blame on the people for what they have earned, He would not leave upon it [i.e., the earth] any creature. But He defers them for a specified term. And when their time comes, then indeed Allāh has ever been, of His servants, Seeing.
يَوْمَئِذٍ يُوَفِّيهِمُ ٱللَّهُ دِينَهُمُ ٱلْحَقَّ وَيَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلْحَقُّ ٱلْمُبِينُ
That Day, Allāh will pay them in full their true [i.e., deserved] recompense, and they will know that it is Allāh who is the manifest Truth [i.e., perfect in justice].
يَـٰبُنَىَّ إِنَّهَآ إِن تَكُ مِثْقَالَ حَبَّةٍ مِّنْ خَرْدَلٍ فَتَكُن فِى صَخْرَةٍ أَوْ فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ أَوْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ يَأْتِ بِهَا ٱللَّهُ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَطِيفٌ خَبِيرٌ
[And Luqmān said], "O my son, indeed if it [i.e., a wrong] should be the weight of a mustard seed and should be within a rock or [anywhere] in the heavens or in the earth, Allāh will bring it forth. Indeed, Allāh is Subtle and Aware.
وَمَا مِنْ غَآئِبَةٍ فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ إِلَّا فِى كِتَـٰبٍ مُّبِينٍ
And there is nothing concealed within the heaven and the earth except that it is in a clear Register.