أَلَآ إِنَّهُمْ يَثْنُونَ صُدُورَهُمْ لِيَسْتَخْفُوا۟ مِنْهُ ۚ أَلَا حِينَ يَسْتَغْشُونَ ثِيَابَهُمْ يَعْلَمُ مَا يُسِرُّونَ وَمَا يُعْلِنُونَ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ عَلِيمٌۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ 5
Translations
Unquestionably, they [i.e., the disbelievers] turn away their breasts to hide themselves from him. Unquestionably, [even] when they cover themselves in their clothing, He [i.e., Allāh] knows what they conceal and what they declare. Indeed, He is Knowing of that within the breasts.
Transliteration
Alā innahum yathnūna ṣudūrahum liyastakhfū minhu. Alā ḥīna yastaghshūna thiyābahum ya'lamu mā yusirrūn wa mā yu'linūn. Innahu 'alīmun bi dhāti al-ṣudūr.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes how the disbelievers fold their chests and hide their thoughts, believing they can conceal themselves from Allah, yet Allah knows both their secret thoughts and open declarations. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain that 'thawning the breasts' (folding chests) is an idiom for concealment and turning away, while the mention of covering with garments emphasizes the futility of their attempts to hide. The ayah's profound message is that Allah's knowledge encompasses the innermost secrets of hearts (dhāt al-ṣudūr), making all human attempts at concealment meaningless.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Hud (a Meccan surah revealed during the early period of Islam) and is part of a passage addressing the Meccan disbelievers' rejection of the Prophet Muhammad and their mockery of the message. It follows the context of those who turn away from Allah's signs despite their clear knowledge of the truth, illustrating their spiritual stubbornness and self-deception.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of deeds are those done with a sincere heart,' emphasizing that Allah judges hidden intentions (At-Tirmidhi). Additionally, the hadith 'Actions are judged by intentions' (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim) reinforces that Allah knows what lies within hearts.
Themes
Key Lesson
No thought, intention, or secret can be hidden from Allah; believers should cultivate sincerity in their hearts and actions, knowing that true piety lies in the integrity of one's inner self, not merely outward appearances or concealment from others.