NOTHING ESCAPES HIS KNOWLEDGE

 FAJR REMINDER: NOTHING ESCAPES HIS KNOWLEDGE

By: Umm Affān

Muḥarram 20, 1448 (5-July-2026)

Can a Muslim truly believe that Allāh does not know a thing until after it happens? Sadly, there have always been people who held such a misguided belief. This is not a minor error. Rather, it is a dangerous deviation because it denies one of the fundamental aspects of Qadar (predestination or preordainment) and undermines the Perfection of Allāh’s Names and Attributes.

Dear brethren, our hearts find peace only when they are firmly anchored to the belief that our Lord's Knowledge is Absolute and Flawless. Nothing surprises Him. Nothing escapes Him. Nothing is hidden from Him—not what has already occurred, not what is happening now, and not what is yet to happen.

One of the four levels of Qadar is to affirm the all-encompassing ‘Ilm (Knowledge) of Allāh. This is a pillar of our faith that every believer must embrace with complete certainty. Allāh says: “And Allāh is the All-Knower of each and everything.” [Surah Al-Baqarah (2): 282]

Pause for a moment and reflect on the creation of our father, Ādam (ʿAlayhis-Salām), even before he was created, Allāh informed the angels about mankind's existence on earth. From what Allāh had taught them, they understood that among mankind would be those who spread corruption and shed blood. Allāh informs: “And (remember) when your Lord said to the Angels: ‘Verily, I am going to place (mankind) generations after generations on earth.’ They said: ‘Will You place therein those who will make mischief therein and shed blood, —while we glorify You with praises and thanks (Exalted be You above all that they associate with You as partners) and sanctify You.’” [Sūrah Al-Baqarah (2): 30]

Reflect deeply on this. If the angels only knew this because Allāh had informed them, then how could anyone imagine that Allāh Himself would be unaware of what His own creation would do? The Creator is never ignorant of His creation. His Knowledge is complete, perfect, eternal, and unrestricted. That is why He answered the angels with words that carry immeasurable wisdom: “I know that which you do not know.”

How often do we question the wisdom behind events that unfold around us? We witness evil, injustice, suffering, and trials, and sometimes our limited minds struggle to understand why Allāh allows certain things to happen. Yet this conversation between Allāh and the angels teaches us humility. Our knowledge is limited, while the Knowledge of Allāh is infinite.

Imām Ibn Kathīr (Raḥimahullāh) beautifully explained in his Tafsīr that Allāh knew the tremendous good that would come from creating mankind—good that the angels did not know. Among mankind would be His Prophets and Messengers, courageous martyrs who sacrifice their lives for His Cause, righteous believers who worship Him sincerely, devoted servants who follow His Messengers, and scholars who preserve and spread beneficial knowledge. What may appear to us as harm is often accompanied by countless blessings and wisdoms known only to Allāh.

When Allāh further tested the angels, they responded with complete humility, acknowledging both their limitations and the perfection of their Lord. Allāh informs: “They (angels) said: ‘Glory be to You, we have no knowledge except what you have taught us. Verily, it is You, the All-Knower, the All-Wise.’” [Sūrah Al-Baqarah (2): 32]

Dear brothers and sisters, this should also be our attitude. When we do not understand Allāh's Decree, we do not object to it. When we cannot comprehend His Wisdom, we do not doubt His Knowledge. Instead, we submit with certainty, knowing that the One Who controls every affair is Al-'Alīm (the All-Knowing) and Al-Ḥakīm (the All-Wise). His Knowledge has no beginning and no end, and His Wisdom is perfect in every decree He makes.

I beseech Allāh to make our hearts always find tranquillity in this belief, and never allow doubts to shake our conviction in the perfection of our Lord. Aameen.