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
كُلًّا نُّمِدُّ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ وَهَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ مِنْ عَطَآءِ رَبِّكَ ۚ وَمَا كَانَ عَطَآءُ رَبِّكَ مَحْظُورًا
To each [category] We extend - to these and to those - from the gift of your Lord. And never has the gift of your Lord been restricted.
أَمْ أَمِنتُمْ أَن يُعِيدَكُمْ فِيهِ تَارَةً أُخْرَىٰ فَيُرْسِلَ عَلَيْكُمْ قَاصِفًا مِّنَ ٱلرِّيحِ فَيُغْرِقَكُم بِمَا كَفَرْتُمْ ۙ ثُمَّ لَا تَجِدُوا۟ لَكُمْ عَلَيْنَا بِهِۦ تَبِيعًا
Or do you feel secure that He will not send you back into it [i.e., the sea] another time and send upon you a hurricane of wind and drown you for what you denied? Then you would not find for yourselves against Us an avenger.
ذَٰلِكَ جَزَآؤُهُم بِأَنَّهُمْ كَفَرُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا وَقَالُوٓا۟ أَءِذَا كُنَّا عِظَـٰمًا وَرُفَـٰتًا أَءِنَّا لَمَبْعُوثُونَ خَلْقًا جَدِيدًا
That is their recompense because they disbelieved in Our verses and said, "When we are bones and crumbled particles, will we [truly] be resurrected [in] a new creation?"
وَأَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ أَعْتَدْنَا لَهُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا
And that those who do not believe in the Hereafter - We have prepared for them a painful punishment.