Ghafir (The Forgiver)

20. And Allah judges with truth while those to whom they invoke besides Him cannot judge anything. Certainly, Allah! He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer.

Judging with truth is one of Divine Acts. The seventh depiction of Resurrection is mentioned in this Verse as one of Divine Attributes:

“Allah judges with truth while those to whom they invoke besides Him cannot judge anything.”

On that Day, God shall be the only Judge and he will not judge with untruth, since wrong judgment springs from ignorance but His Omniscience comprehends even the inward secrets of hearts. Wrong judgment may also stem from inability or need but He is Free from such incompetence.

It is worthy of note that the Verse in question also serves as an argument substantiating Divine Unity since One Who is Worthy of being worshipped shall be the Arbitrator but idols are devoid of any usefulness in this world nor will they be the arbitrators on the Day of Resurrection.

Thus, how could they be worthy of being worshipped? It is also noteworthy that Judgment with Truth embraces a wide range of meaning comprehending all the world of existence, becoming, and law making.

Likewise the expression:

“decree” (qada)

is employed in the Holy Qur’an in both senses:

“And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him”1 .

It indicates His legislative judgment.

It is said elsewhere:

“When He has decreed something, He says to it only: ‘Be?’ and it is”2 .

Finally, to lay emphasis on the foregoing points raised in the preceding Verses, the Verse in question closes thus:

“Certainly, Allah! He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer.”

Seeing and hearing in the true and strict sense of the word indicates that He hears and sees everything and Omniscience solely belongs to His Pure Essence. It emphasizes his Omniscience and the fact that His Judgment is with truth since one who is not all-hearing and all-wise may not judge with truth.