Translation
In the name of God, the most Merciful and the Instiller of Mercy [to His creatures].
Alif Lam Ra. A book (divine revelation—this Qur’an) that contains guidance based on knowledge and wisdom, facilitates its own meaning and essence—gifted by the One (God) Who is Wise and Aware! So, you should worship and serve none but God.488
(Say O Prophet): “I am coming to you from Him (God) to warn but also to give good news. You should ask for forgiveness and align yourself with Him. He will provide you with goodness for your appointed term (in this life) and bestow His grace to whomever is well deserving (in this life and in the afterlife). But if you do not align, then I am afraid for you of its serious consequence on an awesome day (which is sure to come). To God is your ultimate return and His reign encompasses everything and everyone.”
Now there are those who lie [cover up what is in their hearts] to conceal (their dislike of what they hear) from him (the prophet) but God knows what is in their hearts just as He knows when they cover themselves with garments as to what they conceal and what remains exposed. He [God] is always in the know about the condition of their hearts.
There is no living being on this planet except that its sustenance is with God. He knows their residences and their accomplishments—all are documented in full detail.489
Interpretation
488 At various places in the Qur’an, we are reminded every now of them, especially considering that the Qur’an was revealed over a span of twenty-three years and that the Qur’an is a book of revelations from God, similar to other books of revelations such as the Torah, the Bible, and other books of antiquity. These books and revelations are characterized by spiritual and practical guidance based on divine and human wisdom and knowledge bestowed by God and gathered by human beings. For reference you can also read the very first five verses of revelation (96:1–5) and other verses such as 3:7, 4:82, 6:55, 6:98, 7:174, 41:3.
489 The teachings of the Prophet really focused on encouraging aligning ourselves with God (faith) and goodness and cautioning negative consequences of any form of misalignments, such as denial of faith and injustice in the society. The plain truth is that we are from God, and to God is our ultimate return. During our transitionary life on this earth, we are bound by the laws that govern our existence and the existence of the world around us. God is the commissioner of such laws, ensuring compliance to such laws, and our freedom is still bound within these larger tracks that we cannot violate without derailing ourselves. Our life is an open book to God, though it may be hidden to others. With the technology that surrounds us and captures clickstreams, our buying behaviors, our movements, pictures and videos of our presence in a given space, et cetera, we are already realizing that documenting our external life and even internal thought processes and motivations are not far from being captured by other human beings, let alone by God, Who is always in the know about each and every one of us. Our attempts to conceal ourselves and our utter failure to conceal from God are reflected in many other verses as well: 5:7–8, 21:30, 29:10–11, 31:28, 35:38, 57:6, 67:13.
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REFLECTION
We are always in the presence of God, whether we deny it or become oblivious to it, or perhaps we realize it only in times of difficulties and upheavals.
ACTION
Leading a conscious and mindful life that reflects our awareness of God and His constant presence/witness to our actions, conducts, thoughts, and movements is the most powerful mechanism to guide our lives to their purpose and to its ultimate destiny to go back to God.