Tafsir of Al-`Alaq 96:14

Al-'Alaq (The Clot): (14) Does he not know that Allah sees?

Regarding His saying: {Does he not know that Allah sees?} (96:14), there are two issues concerning it:

The purpose of the verse is a warning regarding the Resurrection and Gathering.

The meaning is that the Exalted [Allah] is All-Knowing of all things, and He is Wise and does not neglect [anything]. Nothing, not even an atom's weight, escapes His knowledge, whether in the earth or in the heavens. Therefore, the recompense for everyone must inevitably reach them completely. This serves as a severe intimidation for the disobedient and a great encouragement for the people of obedience.

Although this verse was revealed concerning Abu Jahl, everyone who forbids obedience to Allah shares with Abu Jahl in this threat.

This ruling is not contradicted by prohibiting prayer in an usurped dwelling or during disliked times, because the forbidden act is not the prayer itself, but rather the sin (the usurpation or the timing).

Nor is it contradicted by a master preventing his slave from performing the night vigil (Qiyam al-Layl) or voluntary fasting, or a husband preventing his wife from performing I'tikaf (seclusion in the mosque), because that prevention is for the sake of securing his own legitimate interest (with his Lord's permission), not out of hatred for the worship of his Lord.