أَيَحْسَبُ أَن لَّمْ يَرَهُۥٓ أَحَدٌ 7
Translations
Does he think that no one has seen him?
Transliteration
Ayahsabu an lam yaraahu ahad
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah questions whether a person thinks that no one sees his evil deeds, implying that Allah Most High is always watching. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this rhetorical question is a stern warning against committing sins in secret, as the belief that one's wrongdoing is hidden is a grave delusion. The ayah serves as a powerful reminder of Allah's omniscience and the inevitability of accountability.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Balad, a Meccan surah that addresses the arrogance and false assumptions of the disbelievers of Mecca who rejected the message of Islam. The broader context discusses those who deny the Day of Judgment and live according to their desires without fear of divine consequences. This specific ayah targets those who commit sins believing they are concealed from all observation.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Be mindful of Allah wherever you are. Follow up a bad deed with a good one and it will wipe it out, and behave toward people with good character.' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 1987) This relates to the theme of accountability and Allah's awareness of all actions.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that no deed—whether good or evil—is ever truly hidden from Allah, encouraging believers to maintain God-consciousness (taqwa) in both public and private. It serves as a practical reminder that sincerity in obedience and awareness of Allah's constant observation should guide our daily conduct.
Related Ayahs
يَعْتَذِرُونَ إِلَيْكُمْ إِذَا رَجَعْتُمْ إِلَيْهِمْ ۚ قُل لَّا تَعْتَذِرُوا۟ لَن نُّؤْمِنَ لَكُمْ قَدْ نَبَّأَنَا ٱللَّهُ مِنْ أَخْبَارِكُمْ ۚ وَسَيَرَى ٱللَّهُ عَمَلَكُمْ وَرَسُولُهُۥ ثُمَّ تُرَدُّونَ إِلَىٰ عَـٰلِمِ ٱلْغَيْبِ وَٱلشَّهَـٰدَةِ فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ
They will make excuses to you when you have returned to them. Say, "Make no excuse - never will we believe you. Allāh has already informed us of your news [i.e., affair]. And Allāh will observe your deeds, and [so will] His Messenger; then you will be taken back to the Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, and He will inform you of what you used to do."
نَّحْنُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا يَقُولُونَ ۖ وَمَآ أَنتَ عَلَيْهِم بِجَبَّارٍ ۖ فَذَكِّرْ بِٱلْقُرْءَانِ مَن يَخَافُ وَعِيدِ
We are most knowing of what they say, and you are not over them a tyrant. But remind by the Qur’ān whoever fears My threat.
يَوْمَئِذٍ تُعْرَضُونَ لَا تَخْفَىٰ مِنكُمْ خَافِيَةٌ
That Day, you will be exhibited [for judgement]; not hidden among you is anything concealed.
وَمَآ أَنفَقْتُم مِّن نَّفَقَةٍ أَوْ نَذَرْتُم مِّن نَّذْرٍ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعْلَمُهُۥ ۗ وَمَا لِلظَّـٰلِمِينَ مِنْ أَنصَارٍ
And whatever you spend of expenditures or make of vows - indeed, Allāh knows of it. And for the wrongdoers there are no helpers.