قَالَ رَبِّى يَعْلَمُ ٱلْقَوْلَ فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ وَهُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ 4
Translations
He [the Prophet (ﷺ)] said, "My Lord knows whatever is said throughout the heaven and earth, and He is the Hearing, the Knowing."
Transliteration
Qāla rabbī yaʿlamu al-qawla fī al-samāʾi wa-al-arḍi wa-huwa al-samīʿu al-ʿalīmu
Tafsir (Explanation)
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) responds to the mockery of the disbelievers by affirming that his Lord knows all speech—whether spoken in the heavens or on earth—emphasizing Allah's all-encompassing knowledge and perfect hearing. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as a reassurance that Allah is fully aware of the mockery directed at the Prophet and His message, and nothing escapes His knowledge. The ayah concludes with two divine attributes: As-Samīʿ (The All-Hearing) and Al-ʿAlīm (The All-Knowing), establishing that Allah's knowledge extends beyond human comprehension.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Anbiyāʾ's discussion of the prophets and their struggles against disbelief. It follows verses describing the mockery faced by the Prophet, and serves as a consolation—reminding him and the believers that despite apparent disregard from the disbelievers, Allah's awareness is complete and His justice is certain.
Related Hadiths
The concept echoes in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet said: 'The most perfect believer in faith is the one whose behavior is most excellent, and the best of you are those who are best to their wives.' More directly, this ayah relates to traditions emphasizing that Allah knows all hidden matters—as in the hadith: 'Allah knows what is in your hearts' (Surah Al-Hajj 22:13).
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should find comfort in the certainty that no injustice, mockery, or secret deed goes unnoticed by Allah, and should trust in His perfect knowledge and justice rather than being troubled by human criticism or denial. This teaches us to maintain dignity and faith in times of ridicule, knowing that our ultimate accountability is to the All-Knowing, All-Hearing God.
Related Ayahs
لَن تَنفَعَكُمْ أَرْحَامُكُمْ وَلَآ أَوْلَـٰدُكُمْ ۚ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ يَفْصِلُ بَيْنَكُمْ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ
Never will your relatives or your children benefit you; the Day of Resurrection He will judge between you. And Allāh, of what you do, is Seeing.
فَٱعْلَمْ أَنَّهُۥ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ وَٱسْتَغْفِرْ لِذَنۢبِكَ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنَـٰتِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مُتَقَلَّبَكُمْ وَمَثْوَىٰكُمْ
So know, [O Muḥammad], that there is no deity except Allāh and ask forgiveness for your sin and for the believing men and believing women. And Allāh knows of your movement and your resting place.
يَوْمَ يَبْعَثُهُمُ ٱللَّهُ جَمِيعًا فَيُنَبِّئُهُم بِمَا عَمِلُوٓا۟ ۚ أَحْصَىٰهُ ٱللَّهُ وَنَسُوهُ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ شَهِيدٌ
On the Day when Allāh will resurrect them all and inform them of what they did. Allāh had enumerated it, while they forgot it; and Allāh is, over all things, Witness.
إِنَّكَ كُنتَ بِنَا بَصِيرًا
Indeed, You are of us ever Seeing."