يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ وَلَا يَشْفَعُونَ إِلَّا لِمَنِ ٱرْتَضَىٰ وَهُم مِّنْ خَشْيَتِهِۦ مُشْفِقُونَ 28
Translations
He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them, and they cannot intercede except on behalf of one whom He approves. And they, from fear of Him, are apprehensive.
Transliteration
Ya'lamu ma bayna aydihim wa ma khalfahum wa la yashfa'un illa liman irtada wa hum min khashyatihi mushfiqun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the attributes of the angels, stating that they possess knowledge of what is before and after them (the past and future, or what is manifest and hidden), and they do not intercede except for those whom Allah is pleased with. The angels remain in constant reverent fear of Allah despite their exalted status. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir emphasize that the angels' knowledge is limited by Allah's permission, and their intercession is strictly conditional upon divine approval, reflecting their perfect obedience and humility before their Creator.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Anbiya, a Meccan surah that discusses the prophets and divine attributes. The broader context (verses 26-29) addresses the nature of angels and God's exclusive right to forgive, serving to refute pagan misconceptions about intermediaries and to establish Allah's absolute authority in matters of judgment and intercession.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The angels do not enter a house in which there is a dog or an image' (Sahih Bukhari), demonstrating the angels' selective presence based on divine will. Additionally, hadiths about intercession emphasize that it occurs only by Allah's permission, as referenced in Surah An-Nisa 4:85.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that intercession with Allah is never guaranteed through intermediaries, but only through sincere faith and Allah's approval; it also inspires us to develop greater reverence for Allah, recognizing that even the noblest creation—the angels—stand in awe of their Lord and cannot act independently of divine permission.