وَلِلَّهِ غَيْبُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَإِلَيْهِ يُرْجَعُ ٱلْأَمْرُ كُلُّهُۥ فَٱعْبُدْهُ وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَيْهِ ۚ وَمَا رَبُّكَ بِغَـٰفِلٍ عَمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ 123
Translations
And to Allāh belong the unseen [aspects] of the heavens and the earth and to Him will be returned the matter, all of it, so worship Him and rely upon Him. And your Lord is not unaware of that which you do.
Transliteration
Wa-lillahi ghaybu as-samawati wa-al-ardi wa-ilayhi yurja'u al-amru kulluhu fa-a'budu wa-tawakkul alayhi wa-ma rabbuka bighaflin amma ta'malun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that Allah alone possesses knowledge of the unseen realms of the heavens and earth, and that all affairs ultimately return to Him for judgment and resolution. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this verse commands absolute worship of Allah and reliance upon Him alone, as He is fully aware of all human actions and will hold everyone accountable. The ayah serves as a powerful reminder of divine omniscience and sovereignty, encouraging believers to maintain taqwa (God-consciousness) in all their deeds.
Revelation Context
This verse appears near the conclusion of Surah Hud, which was revealed in Mecca during a period when the Prophet and believers faced persecution and doubt. The surah emphasizes patience, faith in divine providence, and the certainty of divine justice. This particular ayah reinforces the overarching theme that despite worldly hardships, Allah's ultimate control and accountability are absolute.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Be conscious of Allah wherever you are, and follow up a bad deed with a good one; it will wipe it out. And treat people with good character.' (Tirmidhi 1987). Also relevant is the hadith in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet emphasizes that 'Allah records the deeds of the night as people sleep and judges them.'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that conscious awareness of Allah's complete knowledge and watchfulness should motivate righteous conduct in both public and private life. In modern times, it reminds us that authentic spirituality is built on sincere worship and unwavering trust in Allah's wisdom, rather than anxiety over worldly outcomes.
Related Ayahs
مَّا عَلَى ٱلرَّسُولِ إِلَّا ٱلْبَلَـٰغُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا تُبْدُونَ وَمَا تَكْتُمُونَ
Not upon the Messenger is [responsibility] except [for] notification. And Allāh knows whatever you reveal and whatever you conceal.
وَإِذَآ أَذَقْنَا ٱلنَّاسَ رَحْمَةً مِّنۢ بَعْدِ ضَرَّآءَ مَسَّتْهُمْ إِذَا لَهُم مَّكْرٌ فِىٓ ءَايَاتِنَا ۚ قُلِ ٱللَّهُ أَسْرَعُ مَكْرًا ۚ إِنَّ رُسُلَنَا يَكْتُبُونَ مَا تَمْكُرُونَ
And when We give the people a taste of mercy after adversity has touched them, at once they conspire against Our verses. Say, "Allāh is swifter in strategy." Indeed, Our messengers [i.e., angels] record that which you conspire.
يَعْتَذِرُونَ إِلَيْكُمْ إِذَا رَجَعْتُمْ إِلَيْهِمْ ۚ قُل لَّا تَعْتَذِرُوا۟ لَن نُّؤْمِنَ لَكُمْ قَدْ نَبَّأَنَا ٱللَّهُ مِنْ أَخْبَارِكُمْ ۚ وَسَيَرَى ٱللَّهُ عَمَلَكُمْ وَرَسُولُهُۥ ثُمَّ تُرَدُّونَ إِلَىٰ عَـٰلِمِ ٱلْغَيْبِ وَٱلشَّهَـٰدَةِ فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ
They will make excuses to you when you have returned to them. Say, "Make no excuse - never will we believe you. Allāh has already informed us of your news [i.e., affair]. And Allāh will observe your deeds, and [so will] His Messenger; then you will be taken back to the Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, and He will inform you of what you used to do."
أَيَحْسَبُ أَن لَّمْ يَرَهُۥٓ أَحَدٌ
Does he think that no one has seen him?