عَـٰلِمُ ٱلْغَيْبِ وَٱلشَّهَـٰدَةِ ٱلْكَبِيرُ ٱلْمُتَعَالِ 9
Translations
[He is] Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, the Grand, the Exalted.
Transliteration
'Alimul-ghaybi wash-shahādati al-kabīrul-muta'āli
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes Allah's perfect knowledge encompassing both the unseen (al-ghayb) - that which is hidden from creation - and the visible (ash-shahādah) - that which is manifest and witnessed. Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir emphasize that Allah's knowledge is absolute and eternal, distinguishing Him from His creation who possess only limited, temporal knowledge. The attributes 'al-Kabir' (The Great) and 'al-Muta'ali' (The Most High/Exalted) reinforce His supreme majesty and transcendence above all creation.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Ar-Ra'd (The Thunder), a Medinan surah addressing the Makkan polytheists' rejection of the Qur'an and resurrection. The context emphasizes Allah's sovereignty and knowledge as evidence against those who deny divine guidance, establishing that Allah's awareness of all affairs makes His judgment certain and irrevocable.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Allah said: I am as My slave thinks of Me, and I am with him when he remembers Me' (Sahih Bukhari 7405), which relates to Allah's knowledge of the hidden intentions and hearts. Additionally, 'There is nothing hidden from Allah on earth or in the heavens' (Tirmidhi 3194) directly reinforces this ayah's meaning.
Themes
Key Lesson
Recognizing Allah's complete knowledge of all that is hidden and visible should inspire believers to maintain consciousness of God (taqwa) in all circumstances, knowing that no action escapes His awareness. This knowledge provides both comfort to the righteous and warning to those who transgress.
Related Ayahs
ٱلَّذِينَ يُوفُونَ بِعَهْدِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا يَنقُضُونَ ٱلْمِيثَـٰقَ
Those who fulfill the covenant of Allāh and do not break the contract,
وَيَقُولُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَسْتَ مُرْسَلًا ۚ قُلْ كَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ شَهِيدًۢا بَيْنِى وَبَيْنَكُمْ وَمَنْ عِندَهُۥ عِلْمُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ
And those who have disbelieved say, "You are not a messenger." Say, [O Muḥammad], "Sufficient is Allāh as Witness between me and you, and [the witness of] whoever has knowledge of the Scripture."
أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ أَنَّا نَأْتِى ٱلْأَرْضَ نَنقُصُهَا مِنْ أَطْرَافِهَا ۚ وَٱللَّهُ يَحْكُمُ لَا مُعَقِّبَ لِحُكْمِهِۦ ۚ وَهُوَ سَرِيعُ ٱلْحِسَابِ
Have they not seen that We set upon the land, reducing it from its borders? And Allāh decides; there is no adjuster of His decision. And He is swift in account.
وَيَسْتَعْجِلُونَكَ بِٱلسَّيِّئَةِ قَبْلَ ٱلْحَسَنَةِ وَقَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِمُ ٱلْمَثُلَـٰتُ ۗ وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَذُو مَغْفِرَةٍ لِّلنَّاسِ عَلَىٰ ظُلْمِهِمْ ۖ وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَشَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ
They impatiently urge you to bring about evil before good, while there has already occurred before them similar punishments [to what they demand]. And indeed, your Lord is the possessor of forgiveness for the people despite their wrongdoing, and indeed, your Lord is severe in penalty.