سُوْرَةُ الرَّعْدِ

Surah Ar-Ra'd (13) — Ayah 10

The Thunder · Medinan · Juz 13 · Page 250

سَوَآءٌ مِّنكُم مَّنْ أَسَرَّ ٱلْقَوْلَ وَمَن جَهَرَ بِهِۦ وَمَنْ هُوَ مُسْتَخْفٍۭ بِٱلَّيْلِ وَسَارِبٌۢ بِٱلنَّهَارِ ﴿10﴾
It is the same (to Him) whether any of you conceal his speech or declares it openly, whether he be hid by night or goes forth freely by day.
سَوَآءٌۭ sawāon (It is) same (to Him)
مِّنكُم minkum [of you]
مَّنْ man (one) who
أَسَرَّ asarra conceals
ٱلْقَوْلَ l-qawla the speech
وَمَن waman or (one) who
جَهَرَ jahara publicizes
بِهِۦ bihi it
وَمَنْ waman and (one) who
هُوَ huwa [he]
مُسْتَخْفٍۭ mus'takhfin (is) hidden
بِٱلَّيْلِ bi-al-layli by night
وَسَارِبٌۢ wasāribun or goes freely
بِٱلنَّهَارِ bil-nahāri by day

Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

(Ayah10) ➊ {سَوَآءٌ مِّنْكُمْ مَّنْ اَسَرَّ الْقَوْلَ …:} This is another emphasis on the vastness of Allah’s knowledge, meaning whether any of you speaks secretly or loudly, both are equal before Allah; He hears both equally. Whereas you and all creation cannot hear a hidden conversation at all, but you can hear and understand the words of a person spoken aloud. However, when four or six people start speaking loudly at the same time, no one can make sense of anything. Now, consider the extent of Allah’s knowledge: all these are equal to Him; He hears and understands everyone at the same time and fulfills everyone’s needs.

{’’ مُسْتَخْفٍۭ ‘‘ ’’ خَفِيَ يَخْفَي ‘‘} (To hide) is an intensive active participle from the form of istif‘āl, meaning one who hides completely. {’’ بِالَّيْلِ ‘‘} At night, because the darkness of night further helps in hiding. {’’ سَارِبٌۢ ‘‘} Meaning apparent, {’’ سَرَبَ فِي الْاَرْضِ اَيْ ذَهَبَ فِيْ طَرِيْقِهٖ‘‘} He went on his way, meaning instead of being in a room or corner of the house, he is wandering in the street or market, and that too during the day in front of everyone. The mention of the day is especially because it makes everything clearly visible. That is why some scholars have interpreted {’’ سَارِبٌۢ ‘‘} as one who wanders in the streets, i.e., completely apparent. Meaning all these are equal in His knowledge.

Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

The exegesis of this verse has been done along with the previous verse.

Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

It is the same whether any of you speaks secretly or openly, and whether one hides himself by night or walks openly by day—it is all the same [15] to Him.

[15] In this verse, two examples related to the present time are given, and both the unseen and the seen are included in these examples. For instance, when a person thinks or says something in his heart, this is unseen for us, and when another person speaks out loud, this is seen for us. But with Allah, there is no difference between the two; He knows the unseen just as He knows the seen. Similarly, if a person does something secretly in the darkness of night, this is unseen for us, and if another person does something openly in broad daylight, this is seen for us. But with Allah, there is no difference between the two; He knows the unseen just as much as He knows the seen.