وَشَاهِدٍ وَمَشْهُودٍ 3
Translations
And [by] the witness and what is witnessed,
Transliteration
wa shahidin wa mashhud
Tafsir (Explanation)
This phrase refers to the witness and the witnessed—commentators interpret this as referring to the Day of Judgment when all deeds and actions will be witnessed and observed. Ibn Kathir explains that 'shahid' (the witness) refers to Allah and His angels, or alternatively to the conscience of man itself, while 'mashhud' (the witnessed) refers to the deeds of humanity. Al-Tabari notes that this emphasizes the comprehensive knowledge and accountability on the Day of Resurrection, when nothing remains hidden from divine justice.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Buruj is a Meccan surah revealed during the early period of Islam, addressing the polytheists of Mecca and emphasizing Allah's power and justice. This particular phrase appears in the opening oath-swearing section (verses 1-3) where Allah swears by the heavens, the night-comer (a bright star), and the concepts of witnessing, establishing the theme of divine omniscience and accountability that pervades the entire surah.
Related Hadiths
The concept is related to the hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Every soul shall taste death, and We shall make a trial of you with evil and good, and to Us you will be returned.' This emphasizes the witnessing of deeds and ultimate accountability. Additionally, the hadith regarding the recording angels in Sahih Muslim connects to this theme: 'The Noble Recording Angels know all that we do.'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that Allah is fully aware of all our actions, thoughts, and intentions—nothing escapes His knowledge. For modern readers, this should inspire conscious living and awareness that we will be held accountable for our deeds, encouraging us to act with integrity and righteousness in all circumstances.
Related Ayahs
نَّحْنُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا يَسْتَمِعُونَ بِهِۦٓ إِذْ يَسْتَمِعُونَ إِلَيْكَ وَإِذْ هُمْ نَجْوَىٰٓ إِذْ يَقُولُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ إِن تَتَّبِعُونَ إِلَّا رَجُلًا مَّسْحُورًا
We are most knowing of how they listen to it when they listen to you and [of] when they are in private conversation, when the wrongdoers say, "You follow not but a man affected by magic."
رَّبُّكُمْ أَعْلَمُ بِكُمْ ۖ إِن يَشَأْ يَرْحَمْكُمْ أَوْ إِن يَشَأْ يُعَذِّبْكُمْ ۚ وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَـٰكَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَكِيلًا
Your Lord is most knowing of you. If He wills, He will have mercy upon you; or if He wills, He will punish you. And We have not sent you, [O Muḥammad], over them as a manager.
فِيمَ أَنتَ مِن ذِكْرَىٰهَآ
In what [position] are you that you should mention it?
ٱقْرَأْ كِتَـٰبَكَ كَفَىٰ بِنَفْسِكَ ٱلْيَوْمَ عَلَيْكَ حَسِيبًا
[It will be said], "Read your record. Sufficient is yourself against you this Day as accountant."