كَلَّآ إِنَّ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ لَيَطْغَىٰٓ 6
Translations
No! [But] indeed, man transgresses
Transliteration
Kalla inna al-insana layatgha
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah declares that humanity is prone to transgression and rebellion against Allah's commands when they become arrogant and forget their dependence on their Lord. Ibn Kathir explains that this ayah refutes the human tendency toward arrogance and disobedience, particularly when wealth and apparent self-sufficiency lead one away from obedience to Allah. Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that 'طغى' (tagha - to transgress) encompasses all forms of disobedience and overstepping the bounds set by Allah.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the early Meccan chapter Al-'Alaq, revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the cave of Hira. It follows the opening command to 'read' and the description of human creation, and serves as a reminder of humanity's natural inclination toward transgression unless guided by revelation and obedience to Allah. The surah addresses the fundamental weakness and arrogance inherent in human nature.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The most beloved of people to Allah are those with the most piety, and the most hated of people to Allah are the transgressors' (Tirmidhi). Additionally, 'Whoever is pleased with himself, Allah is displeased with him' reflects the connection between arrogance and transgression mentioned in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that transgression is an inherent danger within the human soul, requiring constant vigilance, humility, and reliance upon Allah's guidance through revelation to keep ourselves on the straight path. Recognizing our vulnerability to arrogance and disobedience is the first step toward genuine piety and submission to Allah's will.
Related Ayahs
وَإِذَا مَسَّ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ ٱلضُّرُّ دَعَانَا لِجَنۢبِهِۦٓ أَوْ قَاعِدًا أَوْ قَآئِمًا فَلَمَّا كَشَفْنَا عَنْهُ ضُرَّهُۥ مَرَّ كَأَن لَّمْ يَدْعُنَآ إِلَىٰ ضُرٍّ مَّسَّهُۥ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ زُيِّنَ لِلْمُسْرِفِينَ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ
And when affliction touches man, he calls upon Us, whether lying on his side or sitting or standing; but when We remove from him his affliction, he continues [in disobedience] as if he had never called upon Us to [remove] an affliction that touched him. Thus is made pleasing to the transgressors that which they have been doing.
وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَذُو فَضْلٍ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَشْكُرُونَ
And indeed, your Lord is the possessor of bounty for the people, but most of them are not grateful."
وَلَئِنْ أَذَقْنَا ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ مِنَّا رَحْمَةً ثُمَّ نَزَعْنَـٰهَا مِنْهُ إِنَّهُۥ لَيَـُٔوسٌ كَفُورٌ
And if We give man a taste of mercy from Us and then We withdraw it from him, indeed, he is despairing and ungrateful.
إِنَّا عَرَضْنَا ٱلْأَمَانَةَ عَلَى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱلْجِبَالِ فَأَبَيْنَ أَن يَحْمِلْنَهَا وَأَشْفَقْنَ مِنْهَا وَحَمَلَهَا ٱلْإِنسَـٰنُ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ ظَلُومًا جَهُولًا
Indeed, We offered the Trust to the heavens and the earth and the mountains, and they declined to bear it and feared it; but man [undertook to] bear it. Indeed, he was unjust and ignorant.