يَوْمَ هُم بَـٰرِزُونَ ۖ لَا يَخْفَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ مِنْهُمْ شَىْءٌ ۚ لِّمَنِ ٱلْمُلْكُ ٱلْيَوْمَ ۖ لِلَّهِ ٱلْوَٰحِدِ ٱلْقَهَّارِ 16
Translations
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.
Transliteration
Yawma hum barizun, la yakhfa 'ala-Allahi minhum shay'un. Liman al-mulku al-yawm? Lillahi al-Wahidi al-Qahhar.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the Day of Judgment when all creation will be exposed and nothing will be hidden from Allah's knowledge. The rhetorical question "To whom belongs the kingdom this Day?" is answered definitively: to Allah alone, the One and the Irresistible Force (Al-Qahhar). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this ayah establishes Allah's absolute sovereignty and omniscience, particularly in contrast to the false deities and earthly rulers that people relied upon during their worldly life.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Ghafir, a Meccan surah that addresses the polytheists of Mecca and emphasizes themes of monotheism, the afterlife, and divine judgment. The passage fits within the broader context (40:15-18) discussing the Day of Resurrection when all secrets are revealed and when people realize the futility of their associating partners with Allah.
Related Hadiths
The concept is related to the hadith in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet ﷺ said: 'The Day of Judgment will not be established until...the sun rises from the west,' emphasizing the certainty and uniqueness of that Day. Also relevant is the hadith in Sahih Muslim about nothing being hidden from Allah on the Day of Judgment.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that no action, intention, or secret escapes Allah's knowledge, encouraging accountability in both private and public conduct. It serves as a powerful motivation for righteous living, as ultimate power and judgment belong solely to Allah, making worldly status and authority irrelevant before Divine justice.