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
ثُمَّ لَنَحْنُ أَعْلَمُ بِٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ أَوْلَىٰ بِهَا صِلِيًّا
Then, surely it is We who are most knowing of those most worthy of burning therein.
أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَن تُتْرَكُوا۟ وَلَمَّا يَعْلَمِ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ جَـٰهَدُوا۟ مِنكُمْ وَلَمْ يَتَّخِذُوا۟ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا رَسُولِهِۦ وَلَا ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَلِيجَةً ۚ وَٱللَّهُ خَبِيرٌۢ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ
Do you think that you will be left [as you are] while Allāh has not yet made evident those among you who strive [for His cause] and do not take other than Allāh, His Messenger and the believers as intimates? And Allāh is [fully] Aware of what you do.
هُوَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ فِى سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ ثُمَّ ٱسْتَوَىٰ عَلَى ٱلْعَرْشِ ۚ يَعْلَمُ مَا يَلِجُ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا يَخْرُجُ مِنْهَا وَمَا يَنزِلُ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَمَا يَعْرُجُ فِيهَا ۖ وَهُوَ مَعَكُمْ أَيْنَ مَا كُنتُمْ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ
It is He who created the heavens and earth in six days and then established Himself above the Throne. He knows what penetrates into the earth and what emerges from it and what descends from the heaven and what ascends therein; and He is with you wherever you are. And Allāh, of what you do, is Seeing.
أَلَآ إِنَّ لِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ قَدْ يَعْلَمُ مَآ أَنتُمْ عَلَيْهِ وَيَوْمَ يُرْجَعُونَ إِلَيْهِ فَيُنَبِّئُهُم بِمَا عَمِلُوا۟ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمٌۢ
Unquestionably, to Allāh belongs whatever is in the heavens and earth. Already He knows that upon which you [stand] and [knows] the Day when they will be returned to Him and He will inform them of what they have done. And Allāh is Knowing of all things.