“Have you not considered that Allah knows whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on earth? There is no private conversation among three but He is their fourth, nor among five but He is their sixth, nor fewer than that or more but He is with them wherever they may be. Then, on the Day of Resurrection, He will inform them of what they did. Indeed, Allah has full knowledge of all things.” (7)

“Have you not considered those who were forbidden from private conversation, yet return to what they were forbidden and converse secretly in sin, transgression, and disobedience to the Messenger? When they come to you, they greet you with a greeting by which Allah has not greeted you, and they say to themselves, ‘Why does Allah not punish us for what we say?’ Hell is enough for them: they will enter it and burn therein. What an evil destination!” (8)

“Have you not considered that Allah knows whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on earth? There is no private conversation...” ⦗156/a⦘ Abu Ja‘far recited it with the feminine form, on account of the femininity of “private conversation,” while the others recited it with the masculine form because of the intervening phrase. (1)

“Among three in private conversation,” that is, in the confidential discussion of three people—meaning whispered conversation. There is nothing that a man privately says to his two companions except that He is their fourth through His knowledge.