Surah Al-An'am — Verse 13

Key Words and Meanings:

• "Ma Sakan" (مَا سَكَنَ): What dwells, rests, or settles — referring to all creatures and things that inhabit the night and day.
• "Al-Samee'" (السَّمِيعُ): The All-Hearing — He hears every sound, word, and whisper, no matter how faint or hidden.
• "Al-'Aleem" (الْعَلِيمُ): The All-Knowing — He knows every detail of all things, whether apparent or concealed.

Tafsir (Explanation):

To Allah alone belongs the absolute ownership and dominion of everything that exists — every creature that rests or moves, every being that settles in the stillness of the night or stirs in the activity of the day. Nothing escapes His sovereignty. All that is silent and all that is in motion, all that is hidden in the shadows and all that is visible under the sun — all are His servants, under His control, and subject to His will and command.

He is Al-Samee' — the All-Hearing — who hears every utterance of His servants, whether spoken aloud or whispered in secret, whether expressed in words or felt in the depths of the heart. And He is Al-'Aleem — the All-Knowing — who is fully aware of every movement, every intention, and every hidden thought. Nothing is unknown to Him, and nothing escapes His knowledge.

This verse reminds us of the profound reality that we are never alone and never beyond His sight. Every moment of our lives — whether in the quiet of the night or the busyness of the day — is lived within His dominion and under His watchful care. This should fill the believer's heart with awe and reverence, knowing that Allah sees and hears all. It also brings great comfort: the One who owns everything is the One who hears our supplications and knows our struggles. So turn to Him with confidence, for He is ever near, ever aware, and ever responsive to those who call upon Him. And remember that this life is a journey toward Him — every deed, whether hidden or open, will be accounted for with perfect justice and wisdom.