وَأَسِرُّوا۟ قَوْلَكُمْ أَوِ ٱجْهَرُوا۟ بِهِۦٓ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ عَلِيمٌۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ 13
Translations
And conceal your speech or publicize it; indeed, He is Knowing of that within the breasts.
Transliteration
Wa asirru qawlakum awi ijharuu bih, innahu alimun bi dhat as-sudur
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah teaches that whether people conceal their speech or speak it openly, Allah is fully aware of what lies in the depths of their hearts and innermost thoughts. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this is a reminder of Allah's complete knowledge ('ilm) of both the hidden and manifest, emphasizing that intention and sincerity matter more than outward actions. The ayah serves to encourage believers toward purity of heart and sincere devotion, knowing that nothing escapes Allah's awareness.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Mulk is a Meccan surah focused on affirming Allah's absolute sovereignty, divine knowledge, and power. This ayah appears within the broader context of the surah's theme of Allah's omniscience and omnipotence, reminding believers that their private thoughts and concealed intentions are all known to Him. It forms part of the surah's emphasis on accountability before the All-Knowing Creator.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Verily, Allah does not look at your bodies or your wealth, but He looks at your hearts and your deeds' (Sahih Muslim 2564). This hadith directly complements the ayah's emphasis on the knowledge of hearts ('dhat as-sudur').
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to cultivate sincere hearts and pure intentions in all actions, knowing that Allah is the ultimate judge of what lies within. It provides comfort to the righteous and a warning to the deceitful, reminding us that authenticity before Allah is more valuable than any outward pretense.
Related Ayahs
قُلْ أَرَءَيْتُمْ إِنْ أَصْبَحَ مَآؤُكُمْ غَوْرًا فَمَن يَأْتِيكُم بِمَآءٍ مَّعِينٍۭ
Say, "Have you considered: if your water was to become sunken [into the earth], then who could bring you flowing water?"
وَقَالُوا۟ لَوْ كُنَّا نَسْمَعُ أَوْ نَعْقِلُ مَا كُنَّا فِىٓ أَصْحَـٰبِ ٱلسَّعِيرِ
And they will say, "If only we had been listening or reasoning, we would not be among the companions of the Blaze."
ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلْمَوْتَ وَٱلْحَيَوٰةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْغَفُورُ
[He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed - and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving -
أَفَمَن يَمْشِى مُكِبًّا عَلَىٰ وَجْهِهِۦٓ أَهْدَىٰٓ أَمَّن يَمْشِى سَوِيًّا عَلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ
Then is one who walks fallen on his face better guided or one who walks erect on a straight path?