يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ ۗ وَإِلَى ٱللَّهِ تُرْجَعُ ٱلْأُمُورُ 76
Translations
He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them. And to Allāh will be returned [all] matters.
Transliteration
Ya'lamu ma bayna aydihim wa ma khalfahum wa ilallahi turja'u al-umur
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms Allah's absolute knowledge of all things—both past and future, and all matters in between—emphasizing His complete omniscience. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain that 'what is before them' (al-mustaqbal) refers to the future, while 'what is behind them' (al-madi) refers to the past, demonstrating that nothing escapes Allah's awareness. The final clause reminds humanity that ultimately all affairs return to Allah for judgment and resolution, reinforcing His sovereignty and ultimate authority over creation.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within the context of Surah Al-Hajj (Medinan), which discusses the pilgrimage and divine guidance. It comes in a passage emphasizing Allah's attributes and knowledge, particularly in relation to human actions and accountability on the Day of Judgment. The broader surah addresses believers and disbelievers regarding the signs of Allah and the reality of the Hereafter.
Related Hadiths
The concept connects to the hadith in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 'The most perfect of believers in faith are those who are best in conduct,' emphasizing that Allah knows all our actions. Additionally, Surah Al-Alaq (96:9-10) relates thematically: 'Does he not know that when the contents of the graves are scattered, and what is in the hearts is made known—indeed, their Lord, that Day, is fully aware of them.'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to recognize that Allah's knowledge encompasses all aspects of their lives—past, present, and future—which should inspire consciousness of Him (taqwa) in all actions. The reminder that all matters ultimately return to Allah provides comfort and reassurance that justice will be served, encouraging believers to trust in Divine wisdom rather than worry about worldly outcomes.
Related Ayahs
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُدْخِلُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ جَنَّـٰتٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَفْعَلُ مَا يُرِيدُ
Indeed, Allāh will admit those who believe and do righteous deeds to gardens beneath which rivers flow. Indeed, Allāh does what He intends.
يَدْعُوا۟ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا يَضُرُّهُۥ وَمَا لَا يَنفَعُهُۥ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلضَّلَـٰلُ ٱلْبَعِيدُ
He invokes instead of Allāh that which neither harms him nor benefits him. That is what is the extreme error.
ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُولِجُ ٱلَّيْلَ فِى ٱلنَّهَارِ وَيُولِجُ ٱلنَّهَارَ فِى ٱلَّيْلِ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَمِيعٌۢ بَصِيرٌ
That is because Allāh causes the night to enter the day and causes the day to enter the night and because Allāh is Hearing and Seeing.
ثَانِىَ عِطْفِهِۦ لِيُضِلَّ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ لَهُۥ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا خِزْىٌ ۖ وَنُذِيقُهُۥ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ عَذَابَ ٱلْحَرِيقِ
Twisting his neck [in arrogance] to mislead [people] from the way of Allāh. For him in the world is disgrace, and We will make him taste on the Day of Resurrection the punishment of the Burning Fire [while it is said],