Allah Encompasses Them from Behind — The Oppressor Cannot Escape Allah's Encirclement

Verse: "But Allah encompasses them from behind"

Reflection:
In the context of speaking about obstinate disbelievers, this verse comes as a message of reassurance to the believers: those who think they escape — Allah encircles them from every direction and there is no way out except by His leave.

"Muhit" (encompassing): Encompassing means surrounding from every direction — there is no escape from Allah's encirclement, neither by place nor time nor power.

An insight on "from behind": "Behind" suggests surprise — when a person thinks he has escaped and that there is no watcher behind him, he finds Allah encompassing him.

Al-Qurtubi said: "Meaning: He is watching over them, knowing their deeds, able to take retribution from them — nothing of them escapes Him and none overwhelms Him."

Lesson for the wronged: If you see the oppressor revelling without accountability, do not say "where is Allah's justice?" — say: "Allah encompasses them from behind." The reckoning is coming even if delayed.