Can God Become Aware of Something After It Happens?

Question

▫ A brief reflection on verse 187 of Sūrat al-Baqarah:
Marital relations during Ramadan

Points and messages:

1. In the early days of Islam, sexual relations with one’s spouse were forbidden throughout the nights and days of Ramadan. People could break their fast only at a specific time during the night. If someone fell asleep at that time, they were not permitted to eat after waking—between ifṭār and dawn.

2. This verse abrogated that ruling. It explains that the concession was granted because God knew human beings could not bear the restriction, and that by doing what had been forbidden, they were betraying themselves.

3. Along with meeting a person’s sexual needs, a spouse is like a garment: a source of protection and dignity, and a safeguard against straying into sin.

4. The expressions “#خیط_ابیض” and “#خیط_اسود” refer to the point at which the white thread of dawn becomes distinct from the black thread of night, marking the beginning and end of the fasting day.

5. The words “لاتقربوها” carry the message that drawing near to the boundary of sin can lead to temptation and then to falling into it.

6. The message at both the beginning and the end of the fast is a call to #تقوی.

In light of the text above—which means that God “became aware”—is it possible for God to become aware after something has already taken place?

Accepted Answer

The statement in question is entirely mistaken and conflicts with the Lord’s knowledge, sovereignty and all-encompassing power over the unseen and the manifest.

The ruling that preceded this verse was not abrogated—God forbid—because the All-Knowing, All-Wise Creator was testing the fasting believers’ capacity. Rather, the restriction and ruling that came before the verse served as a test, allowing the community to assess itself. Perhaps, had they not secretly betrayed the trust, that ruling might have been abrogated with the community emerging from the matter with honour.

Certainly, in both abrogating and abrogated rulings, the Lord’s will was fully realised, and in each case God, who knows all things, knew the beginning, the end and the outcome.

The same is true of the verse concerning private consultation: the ruling on such consultations was abrogated once the Lord’s purpose had been fulfilled and it had become clear who would prevail.

May the clarity of your insight into these matters, and your defence of the sacred, be richly rewarded by the Generous Creator.

Can God Become Aware of Something After It Happens?

The essence and first answer at a glance (60-word summary)

Answer by Master Ali Saei (Abdullah Meshkat)

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