بَلَىٰٓ إِنَّ رَبَّهُۥ كَانَ بِهِۦ بَصِيرًا 15
Translations
But yes! Indeed, his Lord was ever, of him, Seeing.
Transliteration
Balā inna rabbahu kāna bihī basīrā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that Allah is fully aware of all His servants' deeds and intentions, refuting any doubt about divine oversight. Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that 'Basīr' (All-Seeing) emphasizes Allah's complete knowledge and vigilance over creation, assuring believers that no action escapes His notice. The word 'Balā' (Yes/Indeed) serves as a decisive affirmation, countering skepticism about accountability on the Day of Judgment.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Inshiqaq addresses themes of the Hour (Day of Judgment) and divine accountability. This particular ayah appears in the context of discussing the recording angels and the resurrection, emphasizing that the Lord's awareness guarantees that all deeds will be preserved and judged. It responds implicitly to disbelievers' denial of the afterlife and divine knowledge.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Allah is more pleased with the repentance of His servant than one of you would be pleased with finding his lost camel in the desert' (Sahih Bukhari 7505). This relates to Allah's complete awareness of intention and circumstance. Additionally, 'Verily Allah knows what is in the hearts of the people' (Sunan Ibn Majah) reinforces the concept of divine vision and knowledge.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that Allah's awareness of our intentions and deeds should motivate righteousness and sincerity in worship, as nothing is hidden from Him. It provides comfort to the righteous and warning to the negligent, encouraging mindfulness that all actions have eternal consequences.
Related Ayahs
أَلَآ إِنَّ لِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ قَدْ يَعْلَمُ مَآ أَنتُمْ عَلَيْهِ وَيَوْمَ يُرْجَعُونَ إِلَيْهِ فَيُنَبِّئُهُم بِمَا عَمِلُوا۟ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمٌۢ
Unquestionably, to Allāh belongs whatever is in the heavens and earth. Already He knows that upon which you [stand] and [knows] the Day when they will be returned to Him and He will inform them of what they have done. And Allāh is Knowing of all things.
يَوْمَ هُم بَـٰرِزُونَ ۖ لَا يَخْفَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ مِنْهُمْ شَىْءٌ ۚ لِّمَنِ ٱلْمُلْكُ ٱلْيَوْمَ ۖ لِلَّهِ ٱلْوَٰحِدِ ٱلْقَهَّارِ
The Day they come forth nothing concerning them will be concealed from Allāh. To whom belongs [all] sovereignty this Day? To Allāh, the One, the Prevailing.
رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ تَعْلَمُ مَا نُخْفِى وَمَا نُعْلِنُ ۗ وَمَا يَخْفَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ مِن شَىْءٍ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ
Our Lord, indeed You know what we conceal and what we declare, and nothing is hidden from Allāh on the earth or in the heaven.
قُلْ يَـٰٓأَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ لِمَ تَصُدُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ مَنْ ءَامَنَ تَبْغُونَهَا عِوَجًا وَأَنتُمْ شُهَدَآءُ ۗ وَمَا ٱللَّهُ بِغَـٰفِلٍ عَمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ
Say, "O People of the Scripture, why do you avert from the way of Allāh those who believe, seeking to make it [seem] deviant, while you are witnesses [to the truth]? And Allāh is not unaware of what you do."