سُوْرَةُ النَّحْلِ

Surah An-Nahl (16) — Ayah 23

The Bee · Meccan · Juz 14 · Page 269

لَا جَرَمَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا يُسِرُّونَ وَمَا يُعْلِنُونَ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُسْتَكْبِرِينَ ﴿23﴾
Certainly, Allâh knows what they conceal and what they reveal. Truly, He likes not the proud.
لَا No doubt
جَرَمَ jarama No doubt
أَنَّ anna that
ٱللَّهَ l-laha Allah
يَعْلَمُ yaʿlamu knows
مَا what
يُسِرُّونَ yusirrūna they conceal
وَمَا wamā and what
يُعْلِنُونَ ۚ yuʿ'linūna they reveal
إِنَّهُۥ innahu Indeed, He
لَا (does) not
يُحِبُّ yuḥibbu love
ٱلْمُسْتَكْبِرِينَ l-mus'takbirīna the arrogant ones

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.

(Ayah23){لَا جَرَمَ اَنَّ اللّٰهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا يُسِرُّوْنَ … :} Just as it is said, "I am watching whatever you are doing," and the meaning is that you will definitely receive its punishment, in the same way, here the mention of Allah's knowledge is for the warning of punishment for their apparent and hidden deeds, and is this punishment any less that Allah does not love them, rather He has hatred for them, {’’ اِنَّهٗ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُسْتَكْبِرِيْنَ ‘‘} that He does not love those who are arrogant.

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.

23. 1. اَسْتِکْبَار means to consider oneself great and, due to this, to deny the truth and the right, and to consider others inferior and lowly. This is the very definition of arrogance (kibr) mentioned in the hadith. This arrogance and pride is extremely disliked by Allah. In the hadith it is stated that, the person who has even an atom's weight of arrogance in his heart will not enter Paradise.

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.

The tafsir of this ayah is included with the following verse(s).