وَهُوَ ٱللَّهُ فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَفِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ يَعْلَمُ سِرَّكُمْ وَجَهْرَكُمْ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا تَكْسِبُونَ 3
Translations
And He is Allāh, [the only deity] in the heavens and the earth. He knows your secret and what you make public, and He knows that which you earn.
Transliteration
Wa huwa Allahu fi al-samawati wa fi al-ardi ya'lamu sirrakum wa jahrakum wa ya'lamu ma taksibun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes Allah's omniscience and omnipresence—He is God in the heavens and on earth, knowing all secret thoughts and public deeds of His servants, and aware of all their actions and earnings. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this ayah refutes any notion of multiple gods or limited divine knowledge, presenting Allah's absolute awareness as both a source of comfort for the righteous and a warning for the transgressor.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-An'am, revealed in Mecca during the early Islamic period when polytheism was prevalent. The surah systematically refutes idolatry and establishes Islamic monotheism (tawhid). This particular ayah serves as a foundation for understanding divine attributes and is contextually connected to verses preceding it that challenge the validity of the polytheists' false gods.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Know that if the whole of mankind gathered together to do you good, they would not be able to do so except by something which Allah had already prescribed for you, and if they gathered together to do you harm, they would not be able to do so except by something which Allah had already prescribed for you.' (Tirmidhi 2516) - emphasizing Allah's complete knowledge and control.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah should inspire believers to maintain God-consciousness (taqwa) in all circumstances, knowing that Allah is aware of both hidden intentions and manifest actions. It serves as a moral compass, encouraging honesty, integrity, and ethical behavior in both private and public life, as there is no escape from Allah's knowledge and ultimate justice.