أَن رَّءَاهُ ٱسْتَغْنَىٰٓ 7
Translations
Because he sees himself self-sufficient.
Transliteration
An ra'ahu istagh-na
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to a person who, when he sees himself as self-sufficient or wealthy, becomes arrogant and turns away from the truth and moral guidance. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as a description of human nature—when people achieve material wealth or status, they often become heedless of Allah and His commandments. This ayah serves as a warning against the spiritual dangers of wealth and arrogance.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the opening chapter revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and continues the theme of Surah Al-'Alaq regarding human arrogance and rebellion against divine guidance. The surah addresses the prideful servant who forgets that all blessings come from Allah and that accountability is inevitable.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Bukhari (Hadith 1477) reports the Prophet saying, 'The most hated of people to Allah is the most arrogant one,' which directly relates to the warning in this ayah. Additionally, Surah Al-'Alaq 96:6-7 is referenced in tafsir works discussing the arrogance of Abu Jahl, who was among those meant by this description.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that material prosperity and self-sufficiency can become spiritual traps when they breed arrogance and heedlessness of Allah; believers must maintain humility and remember that all blessings are divine gifts requiring gratitude and obedience.
Related Ayahs
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا وَٱسْتَكْبَرُوا۟ عَنْهَا لَا تُفَتَّحُ لَهُمْ أَبْوَٰبُ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَلَا يَدْخُلُونَ ٱلْجَنَّةَ حَتَّىٰ يَلِجَ ٱلْجَمَلُ فِى سَمِّ ٱلْخِيَاطِ ۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ
Indeed, those who deny Our verses and are arrogant toward them - the gates of Heaven will not be opened for them, nor will they enter Paradise until a camel enters into the eye of a needle [i.e., never]. And thus do We recompense the criminals.
قَالَ إِنَّمَآ أُوتِيتُهُۥ عَلَىٰ عِلْمٍ عِندِىٓ ۚ أَوَلَمْ يَعْلَمْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَدْ أَهْلَكَ مِن قَبْلِهِۦ مِنَ ٱلْقُرُونِ مَنْ هُوَ أَشَدُّ مِنْهُ قُوَّةً وَأَكْثَرُ جَمْعًا ۚ وَلَا يُسْـَٔلُ عَن ذُنُوبِهِمُ ٱلْمُجْرِمُونَ
He said, "I was only given it because of knowledge I have." Did he not know that Allāh had destroyed before him of generations those who were greater than him in power and greater in accumulation [of wealth]? But the criminals, about their sins, will not be asked.
فَقَالُوٓا۟ أَبَشَرًا مِّنَّا وَٰحِدًا نَّتَّبِعُهُۥٓ إِنَّآ إِذًا لَّفِى ضَلَـٰلٍ وَسُعُرٍ
And said, "Is it one human being among us that we should follow? Indeed, we would then be in error and madness.
وَقَـٰرُونَ وَفِرْعَوْنَ وَهَـٰمَـٰنَ ۖ وَلَقَدْ جَآءَهُم مُّوسَىٰ بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ فَٱسْتَكْبَرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا كَانُوا۟ سَـٰبِقِينَ
And [We destroyed] Qārūn and Pharaoh and Hāmān. And Moses had already come to them with clear evidences, and they were arrogant in the land, but they were not outrunners [of Our punishment].