وَقَالَ مُوسَىٰٓ إِنِّى عُذْتُ بِرَبِّى وَرَبِّكُم مِّن كُلِّ مُتَكَبِّرٍ لَّا يُؤْمِنُ بِيَوْمِ ٱلْحِسَابِ 27
Translations
But Moses said, "Indeed, I have sought refuge in my Lord and your Lord from every arrogant one who does not believe in the Day of Account."
Transliteration
Wa qāla Mūsā innī 'udhthu bi Rabbī wa Rabbikum min kulli mutakabbirin lā yu'minu bi yawmi al-hisāb
Tafsir (Explanation)
Musa (peace be upon him) seeks refuge in Allah, his Lord and the Lord of all people, from every arrogant person who denies the Day of Judgment. This statement reflects Musa's deep reliance on Allah and his rejection of Pharaoh's arrogance and disbelief. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this refuge-seeking (istia'dha) is both a spiritual protection and a clear declaration of truth against falsehood, highlighting that arrogance and denial of the afterlife are intrinsically linked.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Musa's dialogue with his people while under Pharaoh's oppression. Surah Ghafir portrays the believer from Pharaoh's household warning the people, and this verse shows Musa's steadfastness and trust in Allah despite facing the proud, disbelieving Pharaoh. The surah emphasizes that true power belongs to Allah alone, not to earthly tyrants.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The most hateful of people to Allah is the most proud' (related by Ibn Majah). Additionally, in Sahih Muslim, the Prophet warned against arrogance (kibr) as one of the major impediments to faith and righteousness.
Themes
Key Lesson
True strength lies in seeking Allah's protection through sincere faith rather than relying on worldly power or influence. Arrogance and rejection of accountability in the afterlife are spiritual diseases that blind hearts to truth—believers must consciously seek refuge from such attitudes in themselves and others.
Related Ayahs
فَٱصْبِرْ إِنَّ وَعْدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقٌّ وَٱسْتَغْفِرْ لِذَنۢبِكَ وَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ بِٱلْعَشِىِّ وَٱلْإِبْكَـٰرِ
So be patient, [O Muḥammad]. Indeed, the promise of Allāh is truth. And ask forgiveness for your sin and exalt [Allāh] with praise of your Lord in the evening and the morning.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يُجَـٰدِلُونَ فِىٓ ءَايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ بِغَيْرِ سُلْطَـٰنٍ أَتَىٰهُمْ ۙ إِن فِى صُدُورِهِمْ إِلَّا كِبْرٌ مَّا هُم بِبَـٰلِغِيهِ ۚ فَٱسْتَعِذْ بِٱللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْبَصِيرُ
Indeed, those who dispute concerning the signs of Allāh without [any] evidence having come to them - there is not within their breasts except pride, [the extent of] which they cannot reach. So seek refuge in Allāh. Indeed, it is He who is the Hearing, the Seeing.
مَنْ عَمِلَ سَيِّئَةً فَلَا يُجْزَىٰٓ إِلَّا مِثْلَهَا ۖ وَمَنْ عَمِلَ صَـٰلِحًا مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يَدْخُلُونَ ٱلْجَنَّةَ يُرْزَقُونَ فِيهَا بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ
Whoever does an evil deed will not be recompensed except by the like thereof; but whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer - those will enter Paradise, being given provision therein without account.
يَـٰقَوْمِ لَكُمُ ٱلْمُلْكُ ٱلْيَوْمَ ظَـٰهِرِينَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَمَن يَنصُرُنَا مِنۢ بَأْسِ ٱللَّهِ إِن جَآءَنَا ۚ قَالَ فِرْعَوْنُ مَآ أُرِيكُمْ إِلَّا مَآ أَرَىٰ وَمَآ أَهْدِيكُمْ إِلَّا سَبِيلَ ٱلرَّشَادِ
O my people, sovereignty is yours today, [your being] dominant in the land. But who would protect us from the punishment of Allāh if it came to us?" Pharaoh said, "I do not show you except what I see, and I do not guide you except to the way of right conduct."