أَيَحْسَبُ أَن لَّمْ يَرَهُۥٓ أَحَدٌ 7
Translations
Does he think that no one has seen him?
Transliteration
Ayahsabu an lam yaraahu ahad
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah questions whether a person thinks that no one sees his evil deeds, implying that Allah Most High is always watching. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this rhetorical question is a stern warning against committing sins in secret, as the belief that one's wrongdoing is hidden is a grave delusion. The ayah serves as a powerful reminder of Allah's omniscience and the inevitability of accountability.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Balad, a Meccan surah that addresses the arrogance and false assumptions of the disbelievers of Mecca who rejected the message of Islam. The broader context discusses those who deny the Day of Judgment and live according to their desires without fear of divine consequences. This specific ayah targets those who commit sins believing they are concealed from all observation.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Be mindful of Allah wherever you are. Follow up a bad deed with a good one and it will wipe it out, and behave toward people with good character.' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 1987) This relates to the theme of accountability and Allah's awareness of all actions.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that no deed—whether good or evil—is ever truly hidden from Allah, encouraging believers to maintain God-consciousness (taqwa) in both public and private. It serves as a practical reminder that sincerity in obedience and awareness of Allah's constant observation should guide our daily conduct.