Knowledge
Allah's knowledge encompasses all things
Core Claim
Allah's knowledge is one and encompasses all that is known — eternal, without forgetfulness or increase
Why It Matters
Allah's encompassing knowledge means nothing is hidden from Him — this gives the believer assurance that Allah knows their state and is wise in His decree
Lesson
Knowledge (al-ʿIlm) — Allah's knowledge is one and encompasses all that is known — eternal, without beginning or end. Allah is not described with forgetfulness, nor with any increase in knowledge. He knows a thing before it occurs.
The difference between Allah's knowledge and created knowledge: - Created knowledge has a beginning and end — Allah's knowledge is eternal - Created knowledge increases by learning, decreases by forgetting — Allah's knowledge does not increase or decrease - Creatures know things after they happen — Allah knows things before they happen - Created knowledge is limited — Allah's knowledge encompasses everything
Allah said: 'And that Allah has encompassed all things in knowledge' (at-Talaq 65:12) — meaning Allah's knowledge surrounds everything; nothing escapes it in past, present, or future.
Allah's knowledge is one — it is not a collection of scattered information as with created beings, but one eternal attribute that encompasses everything.
Key Points
- 1
Allah's knowledge is one, eternal — it does not increase, decrease, or involve forgetfulness
- 2
Allah knows things before they occur — His knowledge precedes all events
- 3
Allah's knowledge encompasses everything — nothing in earth or heaven is hidden from Him
Evidence
وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ قَدْ أَحَاطَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عِلْمًا
And that Allah has encompassed all things in knowledge.
Quran 65:12 (Surah at-Talaq)
Glossary
العلم
al-ʿIlm
Allah's eternal attribute by which He knows everything without exception
Learn with quizzes, audio & progress tracking — Sign up free
Get Started