أَمْ يَحْسَبُونَ أَنَّا لَا نَسْمَعُ سِرَّهُمْ وَنَجْوَىٰهُم ۚ بَلَىٰ وَرُسُلُنَا لَدَيْهِمْ يَكْتُبُونَ 80
Translations
Or do they think that We hear not their secrets and their private conversations? Yes, [We do], and Our messengers [i.e., angels] are with them recording.
Transliteration
Am yahsaboon anna la nasmau sirrrahum wa najwahum, bala wa rusuluna lada-ihim yaktubbun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah rejects the false assumption of disbelievers that Allah is unaware of their secret conversations and private discussions. The ayah affirms that not only does Allah hear all whispered secrets, but His angels are present with each person recording their deeds and words. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize this as a powerful refutation of the polytheists' arrogance and a reminder of divine omniscience and constant divine observation.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Az-Zukhruf, revealed in Mecca during a period when the Quraysh openly rejected the Prophet's message. The context addresses the disbelievers' false sense of security in their private schemes and conspiracies against Islam, reminding them that all hidden matters are known to Allah and recorded by the angels.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said in an authentic hadith: 'The angel on the right records good deeds and the angel on the left records evil deeds' (Tirmidhi and others). Additionally, Surah At-Tariq 86:4 directly mentions the recording angels: 'There is no soul but that it has over it a protector' (guardian angel).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that all actions and private conversations are witnessed by Allah and recorded by angels, instilling consciousness of God (taqwa) in daily life. Modern readers should recognize this as a motivation for moral integrity in both public and private conduct, and a warning that no evil plan escapes divine knowledge.
Related Ayahs
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِذَا تَنَـٰجَيْتُمْ فَلَا تَتَنَـٰجَوْا۟ بِٱلْإِثْمِ وَٱلْعُدْوَٰنِ وَمَعْصِيَتِ ٱلرَّسُولِ وَتَنَـٰجَوْا۟ بِٱلْبِرِّ وَٱلتَّقْوَىٰ ۖ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِىٓ إِلَيْهِ تُحْشَرُونَ
O you who have believed, when you converse privately, do not converse about sin and aggression and disobedience to the Messenger but converse about righteousness and piety. And fear Allāh, to whom you will be gathered.
قُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَغُضُّوا۟ مِنْ أَبْصَـٰرِهِمْ وَيَحْفَظُوا۟ فُرُوجَهُمْ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَزْكَىٰ لَهُمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ خَبِيرٌۢ بِمَا يَصْنَعُونَ
Tell the believing men to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allāh is [fully] Aware of what they do.
وَقَدْ مَكَرُوا۟ مَكْرَهُمْ وَعِندَ ٱللَّهِ مَكْرُهُمْ وَإِن كَانَ مَكْرُهُمْ لِتَزُولَ مِنْهُ ٱلْجِبَالُ
And they had planned their plan, but with Allāh is [recorded] their plan, even if their plan had been [sufficient] to do away with the mountains.
فَمَنۢ بَدَّلَهُۥ بَعْدَ مَا سَمِعَهُۥ فَإِنَّمَآ إِثْمُهُۥ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ يُبَدِّلُونَهُۥٓ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ
Then whoever alters it [i.e., the bequest] after he has heard it - the sin is only upon those who have altered it. Indeed, Allāh is Hearing and Knowing.