By A. O.

God knows what a person harbors in his heart.

Is God Near to Man?

Many people think God is far away. However, as is stated in the Qur’an, “…Surely your Lord encompasses the people with His knowledge…” (Al-Isra’: 60), He is very near. He sees and knows every aspect of a human being, and hears every word he utters. He is knowledgeable of even one’s inner thoughts. This is related in the Qur’an as follows:

“We created man and We know what his own self whispers to him. We are nearer to him than his jugular vein.” (Qaf: 16)

God is so near to man that He hears the prayer of everyone—even if he prays inwardly—and it is He Who answers it:

“If My servants ask you about Me, I am near. I answer the call of the caller when he calls on Me. They should, therefore, respond to Me and believe in Me so that hopefully they will be rightly guided.” (Al-Baqarah: 186)

God knows what a person harbors in his heart. He knows whether he engages in a deed to earn His consent or to satisfy his own lower soul. God reminds us that He knows our inner thoughts:

“…Know that God knows what is in your selves, so beware of Him! And know that God is Ever-Forgiving, All-Forbearing.” (Al-Baqarah: 235)

“Though you speak out loud, He knows your secrets and what is even more concealed.” (Ta Ha: 7)

God’s Messenger, the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) also reminded Muslims when they prayed that God is very close to them by saying, “You are calling a Hearer, One very close by; The One Who you are calling is closer to each one of you.“(Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

As He is with you at every moment, God is with you as you are reading this article; He sees what you are doing and knows what you are thinking. This fact is related in the Qur’an as follows:

“Do you not see that God knows what is in the heavens and on the earth? Three men cannot confer together secretly without Him being the fourth of them, or five without Him being the sixth of them, or fewer than that or more without Him being with them wherever they are. Then He will inform them on the Day of Rising of what they did. God has knowledge of all things.” (Al-Mujadalah: 7)

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A. O. is a Turkish writer and author.