إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَخْفَىٰ عَلَيْهِ شَىْءٌ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ 5
Translations
Indeed, from Allāh nothing is hidden in the earth nor in the heaven.
Transliteration
Inna Allaha la yakhfa alayhi shay'un fi al-ardi wa la fi al-sama'i
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms Allah's complete and absolute knowledge of all things, whether visible or hidden, on earth or in the heavens. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this verse establishes that nothing—whether actions, intentions, secrets, or words—escapes Allah's omniscience, emphasizing divine accountability and the futility of attempting to hide anything from the Creator. The ayah serves as both a warning to those who transgress and comfort to the believers that their sincere deeds are always known to Allah.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Ali 'Imran's discussion of Allah's attributes and the consequences of disbelief and faith. It follows verses addressing the people of the Scripture and serves to reinforce the theme that Allah's knowledge encompasses all existence, making divine judgment inevitable and fair.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Allah is more pleased with the repentance of His slave than one of you is pleased with finding his lost camel in the desert' (Sahih Muslim 2750), illustrating that Allah knows of all repentance. Additionally, the hadith 'Ihsan is to worship Allah as if you see Him, for if you do not see Him, He surely sees you' (Sahih Bukhari 50) reflects the practical application of this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to maintain consciousness of Allah (Taqwa) in all circumstances, knowing that sincerity in faith and action matters more than outward appearance, as Allah alone judges hearts and intentions. It should inspire Muslims to purify their intentions and conduct themselves with integrity whether observed or unobserved by others.