وَإِذَا بَطَشْتُم بَطَشْتُمْ جَبَّارِينَ 130
Translations
And when you strike, you strike as tyrants.
Transliteration
Wa-idha batashtum batashtum jabbarin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah is part of the speech of Prophet Hud to his people, describing their arrogance and tyranny when they exercise power. The phrase means 'and when you seize [power], you seize it as tyrants/despots,' condemning their oppressive use of authority. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir interpret this as a criticism of the 'Ad people's character—when they had the capability and strength, they abused it through oppression rather than justice, reflecting their corrupt nature.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within Surah Ash-Shu'ara, which recounts the stories of various prophets and their peoples. This specific verse is part of Prophet Hud's admonishment of the 'Ad tribe, addressing their rejection of his message and their tyrannical behavior. The broader context illustrates how societies that reject divine guidance tend toward injustice and oppression.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly quotes this ayah, the concept relates to the hadith: 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3895), emphasizing just and kind use of authority, and the hadith on oppression: 'Beware of the prayer of the oppressed, for there is no barrier between it and Allah' (Sahih Bukhari 2448).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah warns that true strength lies not in the brutal exercise of power, but in justice and mercy; those entrusted with authority must recognize that power is a divine trust to be used with wisdom and compassion, not as an instrument of tyranny.