وَكُلُّ صَغِيرٍ وَكَبِيرٍ مُّسْتَطَرٌ 53
Translations
And every small and great [thing] is inscribed.
Transliteration
Wa kullu saghirin wa kabirin mustatarun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that every small and great deed is recorded and preserved in the Divine Record (the Preserved Tablet or Lawh al-Mahfuz). Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir emphasize that nothing escapes Allah's knowledge or record—all actions, whether seemingly insignificant or monumental, are meticulously documented. This serves as a powerful reminder of Divine accountability and omniscience on the Day of Judgment.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Qamar, a Meccan chapter that emphasizes the certainty of the Day of Judgment and Allah's absolute power. The surah repeatedly mentions the Hour approaching and warns the disbelievers. This particular ayah reinforces the theme that Allah's knowledge encompasses all things and all deeds will be accounted for in the Hereafter.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim from Abdullah ibn Abbas: 'Be mindful of Allah, and Allah will protect you. Be mindful of Allah, and you will find Him in front of you. Know that what has passed you by was not going to harm you, and what has befallen you was not going to miss you.' This relates thematically to trusting in Allah's perfect recording and knowledge.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah encourages believers to recognize that no action goes unnoticed by Allah, whether good or evil, and therefore we should strive for righteousness in all matters, both public and private. It serves as a profound motivator for ethical conduct, knowing that ultimate justice and accountability are inevitable.