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
قَالُوٓا۟ أَجِئْتَنَا لِتَأْفِكَنَا عَنْ ءَالِهَتِنَا فَأْتِنَا بِمَا تَعِدُنَآ إِن كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰدِقِينَ
They said, "Have you come to delude us away from our gods? Then bring us what you promise us, if you should be of the truthful."
وَإِذَا عَلِمَ مِنْ ءَايَـٰتِنَا شَيْـًٔا ٱتَّخَذَهَا هُزُوًا ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُّهِينٌ
And when he knows anything of Our verses, he takes them in ridicule. Those will have a humiliating punishment.
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.
بَلْ يُرِيدُ كُلُّ ٱمْرِئٍ مِّنْهُمْ أَن يُؤْتَىٰ صُحُفًا مُّنَشَّرَةً
Rather, every person among them desires that he would be given scriptures spread about.