وَٱسْتَفْتَحُوا۟ وَخَابَ كُلُّ جَبَّارٍ عَنِيدٍ 15
Translations
And they requested decision [i.e., victory from Allāh], and disappointed, [therefore], was every obstinate tyrant.
Transliteration
Wa-staftahu wa-khaba kullu jabbarin aneed
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes how the disbelievers sought victory (istaftahu - asked for decision/judgment from Allah), yet every arrogant and stubborn tyrant was disappointed and failed in their objectives. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this refers to the polytheists of Mecca who persistently opposed Prophet Ibrahim and sought to overcome him, but Allah's plan ultimately prevailed and they were disgraced. The ayah emphasizes that no amount of arrogance, strength, or obstinacy can overcome Allah's will and the truth He establishes.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within Surah Ibrahim, which recounts the narrative of Prophet Ibrahim's call to monotheism and the responses of his people. The broader context of verses 12-15 describes the disbelievers' rejection and their supplication for victory against the believers, followed by their ultimate failure. The surah was revealed in Mecca during a period of intense opposition to the message of tawheed.
Related Hadiths
The theme of arrogant rejectors being humiliated is reinforced in numerous hadiths. See Sunan Ibn Majah where the Prophet ﷺ mentioned that 'The most hated person to Allah is the most arrogant one among the people.' Additionally, Sahih Muslim contains narrations about how tyrants and the stubborn-hearted will face disgrace on the Day of Judgment.
Themes
Key Lesson
No matter how powerful or obstinate the enemies of truth appear, their schemes will ultimately fail and they will be humbled before Allah. Modern believers should find reassurance that steadfastness in faith and reliance on Allah's plan supersedes worldly strength and should not fear the opposition of the proud and haughty.
Related Ayahs
يَوْمَ لَا يُغْنِى عَنْهُمْ كَيْدُهُمْ شَيْـًٔا وَلَا هُمْ يُنصَرُونَ
The Day their plan will not avail them at all, nor will they be helped.
وَأُحِيطَ بِثَمَرِهِۦ فَأَصْبَحَ يُقَلِّبُ كَفَّيْهِ عَلَىٰ مَآ أَنفَقَ فِيهَا وَهِىَ خَاوِيَةٌ عَلَىٰ عُرُوشِهَا وَيَقُولُ يَـٰلَيْتَنِى لَمْ أُشْرِكْ بِرَبِّىٓ أَحَدًا
And his fruits were encompassed [by ruin], so he began to turn his hands about [in dismay] over what he had spent on it, while it had collapsed upon its trellises, and said, "Oh, I wish I had not associated with my Lord anyone."
وَبَرَزُوا۟ لِلَّهِ جَمِيعًا فَقَالَ ٱلضُّعَفَـٰٓؤُا۟ لِلَّذِينَ ٱسْتَكْبَرُوٓا۟ إِنَّا كُنَّا لَكُمْ تَبَعًا فَهَلْ أَنتُم مُّغْنُونَ عَنَّا مِنْ عَذَابِ ٱللَّهِ مِن شَىْءٍ ۚ قَالُوا۟ لَوْ هَدَىٰنَا ٱللَّهُ لَهَدَيْنَـٰكُمْ ۖ سَوَآءٌ عَلَيْنَآ أَجَزِعْنَآ أَمْ صَبَرْنَا مَا لَنَا مِن مَّحِيصٍ
And they will come out [for judgement] before Allāh all together, and the weak will say to those who were arrogant, "Indeed, we were your followers, so can you avail us anything against the punishment of Allāh?" They will say, "If Allāh had guided us, we would have guided you. It is all the same for us whether we show intolerance or are patient: there is for us no place of escape."
مَنْ عَمِلَ صَـٰلِحًا فَلِنَفْسِهِۦ ۖ وَمَنْ أَسَآءَ فَعَلَيْهَا ۖ ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُمْ تُرْجَعُونَ
Whoever does a good deed - it is for himself; and whoever does evil - it is against it [i.e., the self or soul]. Then to your Lord you will be returned.