Al-Hujuraat (The Inner Apartments)

Verse 16

Table of Contents

    16. Say: “Will you inform Allah of your religion while Allah knows all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth; and Allah is All-Aware of everything.

    A number of people taking the oath said unto the Noble Prophet (S) that they were sincere in their belief in Allah and his Prophethood. Consequently, the blessed Verse in question was revealed saying that there was no need to take the oath since Allah is All-Aware of everything.

    Presenting one’s beliefs to Allah’s saints is quite fine in case it serves to assay, improve, and/or attainment to certitude as Hadhrat ‘Abd al-‘Adim Hasani (as) presented his beliefs to Imam Hadi (as);1 otherwise hypocritical presentation of beliefs is reprehensible.

    Addressing the Noble Prophet (S) the blessed Verse is saying:

    “O Muhammad (S)! Say unto those who utter the formula ‘There is no god but Allah and Muhammad (S) is the Messenger of Allah’: Do you intend to inform me that you have converted to the Islamic faith? God Almighty is All-Aware of what is concealed in the heavens and in the earth. He is Omniscient of everything and your inward and outward. If your belief is out of hypocrisy, He is All-Aware of it and He is All-Aware of your intentions.”


    Footnotes

    1. Tafsir Nur, vol. 11, p. 198.