al-ʿIlm (knowledge) is interpreted in three ways:
1. Yaʿlam (he knows) is used in the sense of seeing; as in the following verses:
"And We will surely test you until We make evident [naʿlam] (that is, until We see) those of you who strive and those who are patient." (Muhammad 47:31)
For the Exalted Allah knows, even before they actually engage in jihād (struggle), who among them will strive and who will not. Therefore, the expression "so that We may know" here means "so that We may see." For until the mujāhid (one who strives) actually performs jihād, since he has not yet done so, it cannot be said that Allah has seen his striving, though He knows he will strive.
"Or do you think that you will enter Paradise while Allah has not yet made evident [yaʿlam] (that is, seen) those of you who strive and has not made evident those who are patient (that is, seen your endurance in trials)?" (Āl ʿImrān 3:142)
"Or do you think that you will be left [as you are] while Allah has not yet made evident [yaʿlam] (that is, seen) those among you who strive?" (al-Tawba 9:16)
There are many similar verses.
2. The word al-ʿilm is used in the sense of knowledge itself; as in the following verses:
"He knows their secrets and what they make public." (al-Baqara 2:77)
"Indeed, He knows what is [declared] of speech and what you conceal." (al-Anbiyāʾ 21:110)
In these statements, what is meant by ʿilm is "knowledge itself." He knows what is before creation, what is, and what will be.
3. ʿIlm is used in the sense of permission; as in the following verse from Sūrat Hūd:
Say: "{Allah! He sent it down only with His ʿilm [that is, His permission]}" (Hūd 11:14)