Al-Buruj · Ayah 3

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

Divine OmniscienceAccountability on the Day of JudgmentWitnessing of DeedsDivine JusticeHuman Responsibility

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.

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Related Ayahs

35:45Fatir

وَلَوْ يُؤَاخِذُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلنَّاسَ بِمَا كَسَبُوا۟ مَا تَرَكَ عَلَىٰ ظَهْرِهَا مِن دَآبَّةٍ وَلَـٰكِن يُؤَخِّرُهُمْ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى ۖ فَإِذَا جَآءَ أَجَلُهُمْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِعِبَادِهِۦ بَصِيرًۢا

And if Allāh were to impose blame on the people for what they have earned, He would not leave upon it [i.e., the earth] any creature. But He defers them for a specified term. And when their time comes, then indeed Allāh has ever been, of His servants, Seeing.

2:110Al-Baqarah

وَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتُوا۟ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ ۚ وَمَا تُقَدِّمُوا۟ لِأَنفُسِكُم مِّنْ خَيْرٍ تَجِدُوهُ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ

And establish prayer and give zakāh, and whatever good you put forward for yourselves - you will find it with Allāh. Indeed Allāh, of what you do, is Seeing.

31:34Luqman

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عِندَهُۥ عِلْمُ ٱلسَّاعَةِ وَيُنَزِّلُ ٱلْغَيْثَ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا فِى ٱلْأَرْحَامِ ۖ وَمَا تَدْرِى نَفْسٌ مَّاذَا تَكْسِبُ غَدًا ۖ وَمَا تَدْرِى نَفْسٌۢ بِأَىِّ أَرْضٍ تَمُوتُ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌۢ

Indeed, Allāh [alone] has knowledge of the Hour and sends down the rain and knows what is in the wombs. And no soul perceives what it will earn tomorrow, and no soul perceives in what land it will die. Indeed, Allāh is Knowing and Aware.

53:31An-Najm

وَلِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ لِيَجْزِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسَـٰٓـُٔوا۟ بِمَا عَمِلُوا۟ وَيَجْزِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا۟ بِٱلْحُسْنَى

And to Allāh belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth - that He may recompense those who do evil with [the penalty of] what they have done and recompense those who do good with the best [reward] -