Sura-4 [Al Nissa Medina 92]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s version:

يَسْتَخْفُونَ مِنَ النَّاسِ وَلاَ يَسْتَخْفُونَ مِنَ اللّهِ...   

4:108. They may hide (their crimes) from men, but they cannot hide (them) from Allah,

... وَهُوَ مَعَهُمْ إِذْ يُبَيِّتُونَ مَا لاَ يَرْضَى مِنَ الْقَوْلِ...  

seeing that He is in their midst when they plot by night, in words that He cannot approve:

... وَكَانَ اللّهُ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ مُحِيطًا ﴿١٠٨﴾

and Allah doth compass round all that they do.

C623. The plots of sinners are known fully to Allah, and He can fully circumvent them if necessary, according to the fullness of His wisdom.

The word used is: Compass them round.- Muhit: not only does Allah know all about it, but He is all round it: if in His wisdom He allows it, it is not because He has not complete control over it, but because, having it as it were enclosed in a complete circle. He can use it to further His own Plan. Even out of evil He can bring good.

Asad’s Version:

4: 108

Asad They would conceal their doings from men; but from God they cannot conceal them – for He is with them whenever they devise, in the dark of night, all manner of beliefs [note 136] which He does not approve. and God indeed encompasses [with His knowledge] whatever they do.

Yusuf Ali They may hide (their crimes) from men but they cannot hide (them) from Allah seeing that He is in their midst when they plot by night in words that He cannot approve: and Allah doth compass round all that they do.

Pickthall They seek to hide from men and seek not to hide from Allah. He is with them when by night they hold discourse displeasing unto Him. Allah ever surrounds what they do.

Transliteration Yastakhfu_na minan na_si wa la_ yastakhfu_na minalla_hi wa huwa ma'ahum iz yubayyitu_na ma_ la_ yarda_ minal qaul(i), wa ka_nalla_hu bima_ ya'malu_na muhita_(n).

4: 108

Asad They would conceal their doings from men; but from God they cannot conceal them – for He is with them whenever they devise, in the dark of night, all manner of beliefs [note 136] which He does not approve. and God indeed encompasses [with His knowledge] whatever they do.

Yusuf Ali They may hide (their crimes) from men but they cannot hide (them) from Allah seeing that He is in their midst when they plot by night in words that He cannot approve: and Allah doth compass round all that they do.

Pickthall They seek to hide from men and seek not to hide from Allah. He is with them when by night they hold discourse displeasing unto Him. Allah ever surrounds what they do.

Transliteration Yastakhfu_na minan na_si wa la_ yastakhfu_na minalla_hi wa huwa ma'ahum iz yubayyitu_na ma_ la_ yarda_ minal qaul(i), wa ka_nalla_hu bima_ ya'malu_na muhita_(n).