وَقَالَ مُوسَىٰٓ إِن تَكْفُرُوٓا۟ أَنتُمْ وَمَن فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَغَنِىٌّ حَمِيدٌ 8
Translations
And Moses said, "If you should disbelieve, you and whoever is on the earth entirely - indeed, Allāh is Free of need and Praiseworthy."
Transliteration
Wa qala Musa in takfuru antum wa man fil-ardi jami'an fa-inna Allaha la ghanniyyun hamid
Tafsir (Explanation)
Prophet Musa (Moses) addresses his people, declaring that whether they and all people on earth disbelieve, Allah remains Self-Sufficient and Praised, entirely independent of their belief or disbelief. This ayah emphasizes Allah's absolute independence (ghina) from creation—their ingratitude and rejection cannot diminish His perfection or worth. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari note this statement strengthens the believers' conviction that Allah's dominion and honor are unaffected by human rejection, while it serves as a warning to disbelievers that their kufr brings them loss, not Allah.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Ibrahim, a Meccan chapter addressing the conflict between prophets and their rejecting peoples. Musa's statement reflects the broader theme of the surah—how Allah's message was rejected by previous nations, yet Allah's plan continued. The statement likely resonates with the Meccan context where Prophet Muhammad faced rejection from Quraysh, teaching believers that rejection of truth does not harm the All-Knowing, All-Powerful Creator.
Related Hadiths
The concept echoes Hadith Qudsi: 'O My servants, even if all of you were as pious as the most pious among you, it would not increase My kingdom in anything; and even if all of you were as wicked as the most wicked among you, it would not decrease My kingdom in anything' (Sahih Muslim). Additionally, Surah Al-'Ankabut (29:6) complements this: 'Whoever strives, strives only for himself, for Allah is Self-Sufficient, free of all wants.'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that their faith or disbelief does not determine Allah's worth or dominion—Allah remains eternally Self-Sufficient and Praised. In facing rejection or indifference from others toward Islam or good deeds, Muslims should find solace knowing their sincere efforts please Allah alone, whose honor transcends human acceptance or rejection.