سُوْرَةُ الرَّعْدِ
Surah Ar-Ra'd (13) — Ayah 10
سَوَآءٌ مِّنكُم مَّنْ أَسَرَّ ٱلْقَوْلَ وَمَن جَهَرَ بِهِۦ وَمَنْ هُوَ مُسْتَخْفٍۭ بِٱلَّيْلِ وَسَارِبٌۢ بِٱلنَّهَارِ ﴿10﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
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.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
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 — 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.
(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.
➋ {’’ 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.
➋ {’’ 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.
