If you conceal what is in your hearts or reveal it regarding the guardianship of the disbelievers or anything else that Allah does not approve of, He knows it. Nothing is hidden from Him. He is the One who knows what is in the heavens and what is in the earth. Nothing escapes Him at all. So your secrets and your public matters are not hidden from Him. And Allah is All-Powerful over everything; He is capable of punishing you. This is a clarification of His saying (and Allah warns you of Himself) because His self, which is His essence distinguished from other essences, is characterized by knowledge that is not limited to one known thing over another. It is related to all known things and by an inherent ability that is not limited to one ability over another. Therefore, it is capable of all that is possible. It is right that He should be feared and taken into account, so that no one dares to commit a disgrace or neglect a duty. For that is certainly observed, and thus there is a right to punishment. If some of the servants of the ruler knew that he intended to observe their conditions, and he entrusted his concern to what comes in and goes out, and he appointed spies over them, sending out those who would investigate their inner matters, they would take caution and be alert in their affairs, and they would avoid everything in which they expect suspicion. So what about the one who knows that the All-Knowing Essence, which knows the secret and what is more hidden, is overseeing him while he is secure? O Allah, we seek refuge in You from being deceived by Your concealment.