أَلَمْ يَعْلَم بِأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَرَىٰ 14
Translations
Does he not know that Allāh sees?
Transliteration
Alam ya'lam bi-anna Allaha yara
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah poses a rhetorical question asking whether Abu Jahl (the context of revelation) does not know that Allah sees all his actions and hidden intentions. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this is a powerful reminder of Allah's omniscience and surveillance of all deeds, both seen and unseen. The ayah serves as a warning that no action escapes Allah's knowledge, implying that such disbelief and arrogance in the face of divine awareness is foolishness.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the context of Abu Jahl's persecution and mockery of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Specifically, it addresses Abu Jahl's arrogant behavior and his attempt to prevent the Prophet from praying at the Ka'bah. The surah Al-'Alaq marks the beginning of revelation, and this later ayah serves as a rebuke to those who oppose the message despite Allah's evident signs.
Related Hadiths
The hadith of Ihsan narrated in Sahih Muslim (8) emphasizes worshipping Allah as if you see Him, for even if you don't see Him, He certainly sees you—directly illustrating the principle of this ayah. Additionally, Surah Al-Hadid (57:4) complements this with the theme of Allah's knowledge and sight over all creation.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that consciousness of Allah's ever-present knowledge should deter us from sin and encourage righteous behavior in private and public alike. It is a call to mindfulness of God (taqwa) and a reminder that our accountability to Allah transcends human observation.
Related Ayahs
بَلَىٰٓ إِنَّ رَبَّهُۥ كَانَ بِهِۦ بَصِيرًا
But yes! Indeed, his Lord was ever, of him, Seeing.
إِنَّكَ لَا تَهْدِى مَنْ أَحْبَبْتَ وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَهْدِى مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِٱلْمُهْتَدِينَ
Indeed, [O Muḥammad], you do not guide whom you like, but Allāh guides whom He wills. And He is most knowing of the [rightly] guided.
وَإِنَّا لَنَعْلَمُ أَنَّ مِنكُم مُّكَذِّبِينَ
And indeed, We know that among you are deniers.
وَٱلَّذِينَ يُتَوَفَّوْنَ مِنكُمْ وَيَذَرُونَ أَزْوَٰجًا يَتَرَبَّصْنَ بِأَنفُسِهِنَّ أَرْبَعَةَ أَشْهُرٍ وَعَشْرًا ۖ فَإِذَا بَلَغْنَ أَجَلَهُنَّ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِيمَا فَعَلْنَ فِىٓ أَنفُسِهِنَّ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ
And those who are taken in death among you and leave wives behind - they, [the wives, shall] wait four months and ten [days]. And when they have fulfilled their term, then there is no blame upon you for what they do with themselves in an acceptable manner. And Allāh is [fully] Aware of what you do.