عَـٰلِمُ ٱلْغَيْبِ وَٱلشَّهَـٰدَةِ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ 18
Translations
Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, the Exalted in Might, the Wise.
Transliteration
'Alimul-ghaybi wash-shahādah, al-'Azīzul-Hakīm
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes four divine attributes of Allah: He is the Knower of the unseen and the seen (all that is hidden and manifest), the Mighty (al-'Azīz), and the Wise (al-Hakīm). According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this affirmation emphasizes that Allah's complete knowledge encompasses all realities—past, present, and future—and that His power and wisdom govern all His actions. This conclusion to Surah At-Taghabun reinforces that despite worldly deceptions and losses, Allah's divine attributes guarantee perfect justice and purpose in creation.
Revelation Context
Surah At-Taghabun is a Medinan surah addressing the believers about the Day of Judgment and mutual betrayals. This ayah appears near the end of the surah as a reassuring affirmation of Allah's omniscience and supreme wisdom, reminding the community that their apparent losses in this life will be weighed against divine knowledge and justice in the Hereafter.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: 'Nothing is hidden from Allah in the heavens or on earth, not even an atom's weight' (related to 'Ilm al-Ghayb). Additionally, Surah Al-'Alaq (96:1-5) emphasizes Allah's complete knowledge as the foundation of revelation and guidance.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should find comfort in knowing that Allah's complete knowledge and infinite wisdom ensure that no deed goes unnoticed and no injustice goes unrewarded, motivating righteous conduct regardless of worldly circumstances. This ayah invites reflection on how trusting in Allah's attributes liberates us from anxiety about hidden matters and worldly losses.
Related Ayahs
فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مَا ٱسْتَطَعْتُمْ وَٱسْمَعُوا۟ وَأَطِيعُوا۟ وَأَنفِقُوا۟ خَيْرًا لِّأَنفُسِكُمْ ۗ وَمَن يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِۦ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْلِحُونَ
So fear Allāh as much as you are able and listen and obey and spend [in the way of Allāh]; it is better for your selves. And whoever is protected from the stinginess of his soul - it is those who will be the successful.
إِنَّمَآ أَمْوَٰلُكُمْ وَأَوْلَـٰدُكُمْ فِتْنَةٌ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ عِندَهُۥٓ أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ
Your wealth and your children are but a trial, and Allāh has with Him a great reward.
وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَكَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَآ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا ۖ وَبِئْسَ ٱلْمَصِيرُ
But the ones who disbelieved and denied Our verses - those are the companions of the Fire, abiding eternally therein; and wretched is the destination.
يَوْمَ يَجْمَعُكُمْ لِيَوْمِ ٱلْجَمْعِ ۖ ذَٰلِكَ يَوْمُ ٱلتَّغَابُنِ ۗ وَمَن يُؤْمِنۢ بِٱللَّهِ وَيَعْمَلْ صَـٰلِحًا يُكَفِّرْ عَنْهُ سَيِّـَٔاتِهِۦ وَيُدْخِلْهُ جَنَّـٰتٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآ أَبَدًا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ
The Day He will assemble you for the Day of Assembly - that is the Day of Deprivation. And whoever believes in Allāh and does righteousness - He will remove from him his misdeeds and admit him to gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. That is the great attainment.