Explanation of the author's statement and his saying: "Does he not know that Allah sees?"
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The Shaykh : He said: [Al-'Alaq 96:14] The pronoun in refers to the one who treats the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) with ill regard [Al-'Alaq 96:9-14], is that correct?
The student: Shaykh, this is a bit difficult for me.
The Shaykh : It is with you.[Al-'Alaq 96:14] And this is the affirmation of the attribute of seeing for Allah the Exalted. And Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He). The seeing attributed to Allah has two meanings: the first meaning is knowledge, meaning knowledge; and the second is the seeing of visible things, meaning perceiving them with the eye. So from the first, His saying about the Day of Resurrection: [Al-Ma'arij 70:6] Is the seeing here seeing with the eye?
The student: Knowledge.
The Shaykh : It is seeing by knowledge, because the Day is a day where there is no body that is seen, and also because it had not yet occurred. So the meaning of is that we know it to be near. Thus, the seeing here means knowledge. As for His saying: [Al-'Alaq 96:14] it is suitable to mean knowledge and to mean visual seeing, meaning visual seeing. And if it is suitable for both and there is no contradiction between them, it must be taken
The student: as both.
The Shaykh : as both. It is said: Allah sees, meaning He knows what this man does and says, and He sees him as well. However, what appears from the context of the verse is that it is seeing by knowledge, due to His saying: and the prohibition is by speech, and speech is not seen.
The student: ...
The Shaykh : It is not seen with the eye. So the intended meaning of seeing here is closer to knowledge.
Does he not know that Allah sees?
ألم يعلم بأن الله يرىDoes he not know
ألم يعلم(9) Have you seen the one who forbids (10) A servant when he prays? (11) Have you seen if he is upon guidance (12) Or enjoins righteousness? (13) Have you seen if he denies and turns away - (14) Does he not know that Allah sees?
أرأيت الذي ينهى عبدا إذا صلى أرأيت إن كان على الهدى أو أمر بالتقوى أرأيت إن كذب وتولى ألم يعلم بأن الله يرىThe student: Shaykh, this is a bit difficult for me.
The Shaykh : It is with you.
Does he not know that Allah sees?
ألم يعلم بأن الله يرىIndeed, they see it [as] distant,
إنهم يرونه بعيداً ونراه قريباًThe student: Knowledge.
The Shaykh : It is seeing by knowledge, because the Day is a day where there is no body that is seen, and also because it had not yet occurred. So the meaning of
We see Him near
نراه قريباDoes he not know that Allah sees?
ألم يعلم بأن الله يرىThe student: as both.
The Shaykh : as both. It is said: Allah sees, meaning He knows what this man does and says, and He sees him as well. However, what appears from the context of the verse is that it is seeing by knowledge, due to His saying:
Have you seen the one who forbids
أرأيت الذي ينهىThe student: ...
The Shaykh : It is not seen with the eye. So the intended meaning of seeing here is closer to knowledge.