No Soul Knows What Is Hidden for Them — The Prize Beyond Imagination
tadabbur
Level: basic
akhirah
td-034
فَلَا تَعۡلَمُ نَفۡسٌ مَّآ أُخۡفِيَ لَهُم مِّن قُرَّةِ أَعۡيُنٍ
— السجدة 17
Verse: "No soul knows what has been hidden for them of comfort of eyes as reward for what they used to do." (32:17)
Hadith: "Allah says: I have prepared for My righteous servants what no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human heart has conceived." (Bukhari & Muslim)
"Akhfi" (I am hiding) not past tense: The present tense indicates continuity — Allah keeps concealing this reward until the Day of Meeting. The surprise at its unveiling will be beyond all description.
Lesson: Any good deed you hide from people seeking Allah's face — Allah has hidden for you something more beautiful than what you hid.
Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari (4779), Muslim (2824); Ibn Kathir (6/357)
Question: What is the significance of using the present tense "akhfi" (I hide) rather than past tense?
Answer: Indicates continuity — Allah continuously hides this reward until the promised Day, continuously adding to it.