An-Nahl 16:23 · The Bee · Arabic, translation, recitation

Other English translations

Abdel Haleem (Oxford)+

"There is no doubt that God knows what they conceal and what they reveal. He does not love the arrogant."

Pickthall (classic)+

"Assuredly Allah knoweth that which they keep hidden and that which they proclaim. Lo! He loveth not the proud."

Yusuf Ali (classic)+

"Undoubtedly Allah doth know what they conceal, and what they reveal: verily He loveth not the arrogant."

Tafsīr · classical commentary

Ibn Kathir

Abridged English, public domain

None is to be worshipped except Allah

Allah tells us that there is none to be worshipped besides Him, the One, the Unique, the Lone, the Self-Sufficient. He tells us that the hearts of the disbelievers deny that and are astonished by that:

أَجَعَلَ الاٌّلِهَةَ إِلَـهاً وَحِداً إِنَّ هَـذَا لَشَىْءٌ عُجَابٌ

("Has he made the gods (all) into One God! Verily, this is a curious thing!") (38:5).

وَإِذَا ذُكِرَ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ اشْمَأَزَّتْ قُلُوبُ الَّذِينَ لاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالاٌّخِرَةِ وَإِذَا ذُكِرَ الَّذِينَ مِن دُونِهِ إِذَا هُمْ يَسْتَبْشِرُونَ

(And when Allah alone is mentioned, the hearts of those who do not believe in the Hereafter are filled with disgust, and when those besides Him are mentioned, behold, they rejoice!) (39:45).

وَهُم مُّسْتَكْبِرُونَ

(and they are proud) meaning they are too proud to worship Allah, and their hearts reject the idea of singling Him out, as Allah says:

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِى سَيَدْخُلُونَ جَهَنَّمَ دَخِرِينَ

(Verily! Those who scorn My worship they will surely enter Hell in humiliation!) 40:60 So here, Allah says;

لاَ جَرَمَ

(Certainly), meaning truly,

أَنَّ اللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا يُسِرُّونَ وَمَا يُعْلِنُونَ

(Allah knows what they conceal and what they reveal.) meaning He will requite them for that in full.

إِنَّهُ لاَ يُحِبُّ الْمُسْتَكْبِرِينَ

(Truly, He does not like the proud.)

Tafsir Saʿdi

English translation, public domain

Аллаху известно обо всех отвратительных поступках, которые совершают грешники. Он не любит тех, кто проявляет высокомерие. Более того, высокомерные и горделивые рабы ненавистны Ему, и поэтому они получат наказание, которое будет соответствовать роду их злодеяний. Всевышний сказал: «Воистину, те, которые превозносятся над поклонением Мне, войдут в Геенну униженными» (40:60).