Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
He knows what is in the heavens and on earth, and He knows what you conceal and what you reveal. And Allâh is the All-Knower of what is in the breasts (of men).
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
يَعْلَمُyaʿlamuHe knows
مَاmāwhat
فِىfī(is) in
ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِl-samāwātithe heavens
وَٱلْأَرْضِwal-arḍiand the earth
وَيَعْلَمُwayaʿlamuand He knows
مَاmāwhat
تُسِرُّونَtusirrūnayou conceal
وَمَاwamāand what
تُعْلِنُونَ ۚtuʿ'linūnayou declare
وَٱللَّهُwal-lahuAnd Allah
عَلِيمٌۢʿalīmun(is) All-Knowing
بِذَاتِbidhātiof what
ٱلصُّدُورِl-ṣudūri(is in) the breasts
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
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.
(Ayah 4) {يَعْلَمُمَافِيالسَّمٰوٰتِوَالْاَرْضِوَيَعْلَمُ … :} This is the answer to the question that when every particle of a human’s body will be scattered and whatever he did will have perished, then how will he be brought back to life and how will anyone know of his deeds so that he may be rewarded or punished accordingly. It is said that He knows everything that is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth (and He knows the place of living of every living being and also where it is after death. See Hud: 6). Therefore, it is not difficult for Him to bring back to life whoever is wherever, and He is aware of all your deeds whether you conceal them or reveal them. (See Ra’d: 9, 10) Rather, He is well aware of what is in the hearts and the intentions, so for Him, accounting for your deeds is not difficult at all. In the previous verses, the attributes mentioned, especially the perfect power in creation, were described; in this verse, His perfect knowledge is described. Then, the One who is both All-Knowing and All-Powerful, and who created everything in the first place and has complete knowledge of everything, why can He not create you again and why can He not take account?
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf
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.
4. 1. That is, His knowledge encompasses all the realms of the heavens and the earth, rather, He is aware even of the secrets within your hearts. This emphasizes the promises and warnings mentioned earlier.
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
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.
4. He knows whatever is in the heavens and the earth, and He knows what you conceal and what you reveal [9]. And Allah is All-Knowing of what is in the hearts.
[9] That is, He knows the things you hide or keep hidden in your hearts, as well as what you utter with your tongues. Its second meaning is that the deeds you do secretly from people, Allah knows them, and those you do openly before people, He knows them too. And He also knows with what intention and purpose you performed a deed, and you will be rewarded accordingly. From this, it is also understood that true justice can only be done by Allah Almighty, because in this world, only outward actions and their apparent forms can be relied upon.