قُلْ أَتُعَلِّمُونَ ٱللَّهَ بِدِينِكُمْ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمٌ 16
Translations
Say, "Would you acquaint Allāh with your religion while Allāh knows whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth, and Allāh is Knowing of all things?"
Transliteration
Qul a-tu'allimun Allah bi-dinakum wa-Allah ya'lamu ma fi-s-samawati wa-ma fi-l-ard. Wa-Allah bi-kulli shay'in 'alim.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah is Allah's command to the Prophet (peace be upon him) to rebuke those who presume to teach Allah about their religion, implying they know better than His guidance. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as a response to the Bedouins' arrogant claim of faith and their suggestion that they could instruct the Prophet on matters of religion. The ayah powerfully asserts Allah's absolute knowledge of all that exists in the heavens and earth, rendering any human attempt to 'correct' or 'teach' Allah absurd and futile.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Hujurat's correction of the Bedouins' social behavior and arrogant attitudes. Specifically, it addresses their presumptuous claim that they believed, when in fact true belief requires obedience to Allah and His Prophet. The broader surah discusses etiquette, avoiding slander, and proper conduct within the Muslim community.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The most hated person to Allah is the most arrogant' (Sahih Bukhari). Additionally, the hadith about those who claim knowledge they don't possess relates to this theme of human limitation before Divine knowledge (Al-Tirmidhi).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches Muslims to approach their faith with humility, recognizing that no human can improve upon Allah's perfect guidance or claim superiority in religious understanding. It serves as a timeless reminder against arrogance and the importance of submitting to Divine wisdom rather than relying on personal opinion or societal pressure.
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.
بَلَىٰٓ إِنَّ رَبَّهُۥ كَانَ بِهِۦ بَصِيرًا
But yes! Indeed, his Lord was ever, of him, Seeing.
وَهُوَ ٱللَّهُ فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَفِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ يَعْلَمُ سِرَّكُمْ وَجَهْرَكُمْ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا تَكْسِبُونَ
And He is Allāh, [the only deity] in the heavens and the earth. He knows your secret and what you make public, and He knows that which you earn.
۞ يَوْمَ يَجْمَعُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلرُّسُلَ فَيَقُولُ مَاذَآ أُجِبْتُمْ ۖ قَالُوا۟ لَا عِلْمَ لَنَآ ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ عَلَّـٰمُ ٱلْغُيُوبِ
[Be warned of] the Day when Allāh will assemble the messengers and say, "What was the response you received?" They will say, "We have no knowledge. Indeed, it is You who is Knower of the unseen" -