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.