۞ إِلَيْهِ يُرَدُّ عِلْمُ ٱلسَّاعَةِ ۚ وَمَا تَخْرُجُ مِن ثَمَرَٰتٍ مِّنْ أَكْمَامِهَا وَمَا تَحْمِلُ مِنْ أُنثَىٰ وَلَا تَضَعُ إِلَّا بِعِلْمِهِۦ ۚ وَيَوْمَ يُنَادِيهِمْ أَيْنَ شُرَكَآءِى قَالُوٓا۟ ءَاذَنَّـٰكَ مَا مِنَّا مِن شَهِيدٍ 47
Translations
To Him [alone] is attributed knowledge of the Hour. And fruits emerge not from their coverings nor does a female conceive or give birth except with His knowledge. And the Day He will call to them, "Where are My 'partners'?" they will say, "We announce to You that there is [no longer] among us any witness [to that]."
Transliteration
Ilayhi yuraddу 'ilmu as-saa'ah wa maa takhruju min thamaraatin min akmamiha wa maa tahmilu min unthaa wa laa tadaa'u illaa bi'ilmihi wa yawma yunaadiihim ayna shurakaaa'ee qaaloo aadhan-naka maa minna min shaheed
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah emphasizes Allah's exclusive knowledge of the Hour (Day of Judgment) and His complete awareness of all creation's details—from the emergence of fruits from their coverings to the conception and delivery of offspring. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi note that the phrase 'all returns to Him' (ilayhi yuraddю) establishes Allah's sole sovereignty over these hidden matters. The latter portion describes the Day of Judgment when polytheists will be called upon to produce their alleged partners with Allah, and they will confess that none among them can bear witness to this false claim, demonstrating the futility of shirk (associating partners with Allah).
Revelation Context
Surah Fussilat is a Meccan surah revealed during the early Islamic period to address polytheism and strengthen the faith of believers facing Meccan opposition. This ayah occurs within a passage refuting idolatry and affirming monotheism, serving as a reminder to the pagan Arabs of Mecca that their false gods possess no knowledge or power, in contrast to Allah's omniscience and omnipotence.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The keys of the Unseen are five, which none knows except Allah,' referencing Surah 31:34 which parallels this ayah's theme. This is transmitted in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim. Additionally, hadith literature emphasizes that knowledge of the Hour is exclusively with Allah, as stated in multiple authentic collections.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that Allah alone possesses complete knowledge of all unseen matters and the future, encouraging reliance upon Him rather than false deities or false certainties. For modern readers, it serves as a reminder to trust in Allah's wisdom regarding events beyond human control and to reject any philosophy or ideology that claims humans can determine their ultimate destiny independently of divine will.