أَلَآ إِنَّهُمْ فِى مِرْيَةٍ مِّن لِّقَآءِ رَبِّهِمْ ۗ أَلَآ إِنَّهُۥ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ مُّحِيطٌۢ 54
Translations
Unquestionably, they are in doubt about the meeting with their Lord. Unquestionably He is, of all things, encompassing.
Transliteration
Alā innahum fī miryatin min liqāʾi rabbihim, alā innahu bikulli shayʾin muhīṭ
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the disbelievers' doubt and uncertainty regarding the meeting with their Lord on the Day of Judgment. Despite their skepticism, Allah emphasizes His complete knowledge and encompassing awareness of all things—nothing escapes His sight or knowledge. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note that this serves as both a warning to the deniers and a reassurance to the believers that Allah's omniscience makes accountability inevitable.
Revelation Context
Surah Fussilat is a Meccan chapter that comprehensively addresses core Islamic beliefs including tawhid (monotheism), prophethood, and the afterlife. This ayah appears in a section refuting the Meccan polytheists' denial of resurrection and their doubt concerning meeting Allah, which was a central point of contention between the Prophet (ﷺ) and the disbelievers of Makkah.
Related Hadiths
The theme of Allah's encompassing knowledge is reinforced in the hadith: 'Allah said: I am as My servant thinks of Me' (Sahih Bukhari 7405), emphasizing that Allah knows all thoughts and doubts. Additionally, hadith about the Day of Judgment's certainty appears in Sahih Muslim regarding the resurrection being as certain as the sun rising.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should find comfort in Allah's complete awareness of all circumstances and hidden matters, knowing that no deed—good or evil—goes unnoticed. The ayah encourages steadfastness in faith by reminding us that ultimate accountability is certain, and that harboring doubt about the afterlife contradicts logical recognition of Allah's absolute power and knowledge.