وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَيَعْلَمُ مَا تُكِنُّ صُدُورُهُمْ وَمَا يُعْلِنُونَ 74
Translations
And indeed, your Lord knows what their breasts conceal and what they declare.
Transliteration
Wa-inna rabbaka la-ya'lamu ma tukinnu suduruhum wa-ma yu'linun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that Allah's knowledge is absolute and encompasses both the hidden secrets concealed within hearts and the openly declared statements of people. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that this verse serves as a reminder of Allah's all-encompassing knowledge ('ilm), which extends beyond human perception and should inspire consciousness of God in both private and public conduct. The ayah appears in the context of the Quran's discussion of the Day of Judgment and Divine accountability, reinforcing that nothing escapes Allah's awareness.
Revelation Context
Surah An-Naml is a Meccan surah that addresses polytheists and emphasizes monotheism and the signs of Allah's power. This particular ayah fits within the broader Meccan theme of reminding people that Allah is fully aware of their deeds and intentions, serving as motivation for righteous behavior and warning against hypocrisy and hidden disbelief.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'Piety is here' and pointed to the chest three times, emphasizing that true righteousness is rooted in sincere hearts (Muslim). Additionally, the hadith in Sahih Bukhari about 'the seven whom Allah will shade' includes one who gives charity secretly, reflecting the theme of Allah knowing hidden intentions.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that since Allah knows all secrets and declarations, true piety cannot be merely outward performance but must stem from sincere intentions and a purified heart. This encourages authentic faith and moral behavior motivated not by social recognition but by genuine awareness of Allah's omniscience.
Related Ayahs
وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ أَءِذَا كُنَّا تُرَٰبًا وَءَابَآؤُنَآ أَئِنَّا لَمُخْرَجُونَ
And those who disbelieve say, "When we have become dust as well as our forefathers, will we indeed be brought out [of the graves]?
لَأُعَذِّبَنَّهُۥ عَذَابًا شَدِيدًا أَوْ لَأَا۟ذْبَحَنَّهُۥٓ أَوْ لَيَأْتِيَنِّى بِسُلْطَـٰنٍ مُّبِينٍ
I will surely punish him with a severe punishment or slaughter him unless he brings me clear authorization."
أَلَّا يَسْجُدُوا۟ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِى يُخْرِجُ ٱلْخَبْءَ فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا تُخْفُونَ وَمَا تُعْلِنُونَ
[And] so they do not prostrate to Allāh, who brings forth what is hidden within the heavens and the earth and knows what you conceal and what you declare -
۞ وَإِذَا وَقَعَ ٱلْقَوْلُ عَلَيْهِمْ أَخْرَجْنَا لَهُمْ دَآبَّةً مِّنَ ٱلْأَرْضِ تُكَلِّمُهُمْ أَنَّ ٱلنَّاسَ كَانُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا لَا يُوقِنُونَ
And when the word [i.e., decree] befalls them, We will bring forth for them a creature from the earth speaking to them, [saying] that the people were, of Our verses, not certain [in faith].