Surah Hud, Ayah 5
Quran 11:5 · Hud · Makki · Para 11 · Page 221
اَلَاۤ اِنَّهُمْ یَثْنُوْنَ صُدُوْرَهُمْ لِیَسْتَخْفُوْا مِنْهُ ؕ اَلَا حِیْنَ یَسْتَغْشُوْنَ ثِیَابَهُمْ ۙ یَعْلَمُ مَا یُسِرُّوْنَ وَمَا یُعْلِنُوْنَ ۚ اِنَّهٗ عَلِیْمٌۢ بِذَاتِ الصُّدُوْرِ ۟
Transliteration
Ala innahum yathnoona sudoorahumliyastakhfoo minhu ala heena yastaghshoona thiyabahumyaAAlamu ma yusirroona wama yuAAlinoona innahuAAaleemun bithati assudoor
Saheeh International
Unquestionably, they [i.e., the disbelievers] turn away their breasts to hide themselves from him. Unquestionably, [even] when they cover themselves in their clothing, He [i.e., Allāh] knows what they conceal and what they declare. Indeed, He is Knowing of that within the breasts.
Al-Mukhtasar fi Tafsir
These idolaters bend their backs and lower their heads in order to hide from Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him). When they cover their heads with their clothing so that Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) does not see them, turning away from what he brought, Allah knows what they conceal and what they reveal. He knows the intentions that are in the heart. Nothing is hidden from Him.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (abridged)
No doubt! They did fold up their breasts, that they may hide from Him. Surely, even when they cover themselves with their garments, He knows what they conceal and what they reveal. Verily, He is the All-Knower of the (innermost secrets) of the breasts (5)
Allah is Aware of All Things
Ibn 'Abbas said, "They used to dislike facing the sky with their private parts, particularly during sexual relations. Therefore, Allah revealed this verse." Al-Bukhari recorded by way of Ibn Jurayj, who reported from Muhammad bin 'Abbad bin Ja'far who said, "Ibn 'Abbas recited,
(أَلَا إِنَّهُمْ تَثْنَونِي صُدُورُهُمْ)
Behold their breasts did fold up." So I said: 'O Abu Al-'Abbas! What does "their breasts did fold up" mean' He said, 'The man used to have sex with his woman, but he would be shy, or he used to have answering the call of nature (in an open space) but, he would be shy. Therefore, this verse,
أَلَا إِنَّهُمْ يَثْنُونَ صُدُورَهُمْ
(No doubt! They did fold up their breasts,) was revealed.'" In another wording of this narration, Ibn 'Abbas said, "There were people who used to be shy to remove their clothes while answering the call of nature in an open space and thus be naked exposed to the sky. They were also ashamed of having sexual relations with their women due to fear of being exposed towards the sky. Thus, this was revealed concerning them." Al-Bukhari reported that Ibn 'Abbas said that
يَسْتَغْشُونَ
(they cover themselves) means that they cover their heads.