عَـٰلِمُ ٱلْغَيْبِ وَٱلشَّهَـٰدَةِ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ 18
Translations
Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, the Exalted in Might, the Wise.
Transliteration
'Alimul-ghaybi wash-shahādah, al-'Azīzul-Hakīm
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes four divine attributes of Allah: He is the Knower of the unseen and the seen (all that is hidden and manifest), the Mighty (al-'Azīz), and the Wise (al-Hakīm). According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this affirmation emphasizes that Allah's complete knowledge encompasses all realities—past, present, and future—and that His power and wisdom govern all His actions. This conclusion to Surah At-Taghabun reinforces that despite worldly deceptions and losses, Allah's divine attributes guarantee perfect justice and purpose in creation.
Revelation Context
Surah At-Taghabun is a Medinan surah addressing the believers about the Day of Judgment and mutual betrayals. This ayah appears near the end of the surah as a reassuring affirmation of Allah's omniscience and supreme wisdom, reminding the community that their apparent losses in this life will be weighed against divine knowledge and justice in the Hereafter.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: 'Nothing is hidden from Allah in the heavens or on earth, not even an atom's weight' (related to 'Ilm al-Ghayb). Additionally, Surah Al-'Alaq (96:1-5) emphasizes Allah's complete knowledge as the foundation of revelation and guidance.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should find comfort in knowing that Allah's complete knowledge and infinite wisdom ensure that no deed goes unnoticed and no injustice goes unrewarded, motivating righteous conduct regardless of worldly circumstances. This ayah invites reflection on how trusting in Allah's attributes liberates us from anxiety about hidden matters and worldly losses.
Related Ayahs
مَآ أَصَابَ مِن مُّصِيبَةٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ ۗ وَمَن يُؤْمِنۢ بِٱللَّهِ يَهْدِ قَلْبَهُۥ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمٌ
No disaster strikes except by permission of Allāh. And whoever believes in Allāh - He will guide his heart. And Allāh is Knowing of all things.
يُسَبِّحُ لِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ لَهُ ٱلْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ ٱلْحَمْدُ ۖ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth is exalting Allāh. To Him belongs dominion, and to Him belongs [all] praise, and He is over all things competent.
هُوَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُمْ فَمِنكُمْ كَافِرٌ وَمِنكُم مُّؤْمِنٌ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ
It is He who created you, and among you is the disbeliever, and among you is the believer. And Allāh, of what you do, is Seeing.
وَأَطِيعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا۟ ٱلرَّسُولَ ۚ فَإِن تَوَلَّيْتُمْ فَإِنَّمَا عَلَىٰ رَسُولِنَا ٱلْبَلَـٰغُ ٱلْمُبِينُ
And obey Allāh and obey the Messenger; but if you turn away - then upon Our Messenger is only [the duty of] clear notification.