وَلَا تَمْشِ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مَرَحًا ۖ إِنَّكَ لَن تَخْرِقَ ٱلْأَرْضَ وَلَن تَبْلُغَ ٱلْجِبَالَ طُولًا 37
Translations
And do not walk upon the earth exultantly. Indeed, you will never tear the earth [apart], and you will never reach the mountains in height.
Transliteration
Wa la tamshi fil-ardi maraha, innaka lan takhriqa al-arda wa lan tablugha al-jibala tula
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah condemns arrogance and haughtiness in one's gait and behavior, reminding believers that no matter how proud one becomes, they cannot surpass the divine creation—they cannot pierce through the earth nor reach the height of mountains. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret 'maraha' (pride/arrogance) as a rejection of vanity and boastfulness, emphasizing that human power and grandeur are fundamentally limited and insignificant compared to Allah's creation, thereby promoting humility before the Almighty.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Isra, which addresses moral conduct and etiquette during the Meccan period. It comes within a broader passage (17:23-39) detailing the rights of parents, proper conduct toward family and society, and ethical behavior. The context reflects guidance on balanced social behavior—neither miserly nor wasteful, neither arrogant nor servile.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'He who has in his heart the weight of a mustard seed of pride shall not enter Paradise.' (Sahih Muslim 91) Additionally, the Prophet taught that '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 humility alongside good character.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that true dignity lies not in proud displays or haughty behavior, but in humility and recognition of one's limited place in creation. For modern readers, it serves as a reminder that material success and physical capabilities should never fuel arrogance, as all strength ultimately belongs to Allah alone.
Related Ayahs
وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا۟ ٱلنَّفْسَ ٱلَّتِى حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا بِٱلْحَقِّ ۗ وَمَن قُتِلَ مَظْلُومًا فَقَدْ جَعَلْنَا لِوَلِيِّهِۦ سُلْطَـٰنًا فَلَا يُسْرِف فِّى ٱلْقَتْلِ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ مَنصُورًا
And do not kill the soul [i.e., person] which Allāh has forbidden, except by right. And whoever is killed unjustly - We have given his heir authority, but let him not exceed limits in [the matter of] taking life. Indeed, he has been supported [by the law].
وَجَعَلْنَا ٱلَّيْلَ وَٱلنَّهَارَ ءَايَتَيْنِ ۖ فَمَحَوْنَآ ءَايَةَ ٱلَّيْلِ وَجَعَلْنَآ ءَايَةَ ٱلنَّهَارِ مُبْصِرَةً لِّتَبْتَغُوا۟ فَضْلًا مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَلِتَعْلَمُوا۟ عَدَدَ ٱلسِّنِينَ وَٱلْحِسَابَ ۚ وَكُلَّ شَىْءٍ فَصَّلْنَـٰهُ تَفْصِيلًا
And We have made the night and day two signs, and We erased the sign of the night and made the sign of the day visible that you may seek bounty from your Lord and may know the number of years and the account [of time]. And everything We have set out in detail.
ٱنظُرْ كَيْفَ ضَرَبُوا۟ لَكَ ٱلْأَمْثَالَ فَضَلُّوا۟ فَلَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ سَبِيلًا
Look how they strike for you comparisons; but they have strayed, so they cannot [find] a way.
وَإِذَآ أَرَدْنَآ أَن نُّهْلِكَ قَرْيَةً أَمَرْنَا مُتْرَفِيهَا فَفَسَقُوا۟ فِيهَا فَحَقَّ عَلَيْهَا ٱلْقَوْلُ فَدَمَّرْنَـٰهَا تَدْمِيرًا
And when We intend to destroy a city, We command its affluent but they defiantly disobey therein; so the word [i.e., deserved decree] comes into effect upon it, and We destroy it with [complete] destruction.