بَلَىٰٓ إِنَّ رَبَّهُۥ كَانَ بِهِۦ بَصِيرًا 15
Translations
But yes! Indeed, his Lord was ever, of him, Seeing.
Transliteration
Balā inna rabbahu kāna bihī basīrā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that Allah is fully aware of all His servants' deeds and intentions, refuting any doubt about divine oversight. Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that 'Basīr' (All-Seeing) emphasizes Allah's complete knowledge and vigilance over creation, assuring believers that no action escapes His notice. The word 'Balā' (Yes/Indeed) serves as a decisive affirmation, countering skepticism about accountability on the Day of Judgment.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Inshiqaq addresses themes of the Hour (Day of Judgment) and divine accountability. This particular ayah appears in the context of discussing the recording angels and the resurrection, emphasizing that the Lord's awareness guarantees that all deeds will be preserved and judged. It responds implicitly to disbelievers' denial of the afterlife and divine knowledge.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Allah is more pleased with the repentance of His servant than one of you would be pleased with finding his lost camel in the desert' (Sahih Bukhari 7505). This relates to Allah's complete awareness of intention and circumstance. Additionally, 'Verily Allah knows what is in the hearts of the people' (Sunan Ibn Majah) reinforces the concept of divine vision and knowledge.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that Allah's awareness of our intentions and deeds should motivate righteousness and sincerity in worship, as nothing is hidden from Him. It provides comfort to the righteous and warning to the negligent, encouraging mindfulness that all actions have eternal consequences.
Related Ayahs
فِيمَ أَنتَ مِن ذِكْرَىٰهَآ
In what [position] are you that you should mention it?
هُوَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ فِى سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ ثُمَّ ٱسْتَوَىٰ عَلَى ٱلْعَرْشِ ۚ يَعْلَمُ مَا يَلِجُ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا يَخْرُجُ مِنْهَا وَمَا يَنزِلُ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَمَا يَعْرُجُ فِيهَا ۖ وَهُوَ مَعَكُمْ أَيْنَ مَا كُنتُمْ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ
It is He who created the heavens and earth in six days and then established Himself above the Throne. He knows what penetrates into the earth and what emerges from it and what descends from the heaven and what ascends therein; and He is with you wherever you are. And Allāh, of what you do, is Seeing.
يَوْمَ هُم بَـٰرِزُونَ ۖ لَا يَخْفَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ مِنْهُمْ شَىْءٌ ۚ لِّمَنِ ٱلْمُلْكُ ٱلْيَوْمَ ۖ لِلَّهِ ٱلْوَٰحِدِ ٱلْقَهَّارِ
The Day they come forth nothing concerning them will be concealed from Allāh. To whom belongs [all] sovereignty this Day? To Allāh, the One, the Prevailing.
سَوَآءٌ مِّنكُم مَّنْ أَسَرَّ ٱلْقَوْلَ وَمَن جَهَرَ بِهِۦ وَمَنْ هُوَ مُسْتَخْفٍۭ بِٱلَّيْلِ وَسَارِبٌۢ بِٱلنَّهَارِ
It is the same [to Him] concerning you whether one conceals [his] speech or publicizes it and whether one is hidden by night or conspicuous [among others] by day.