إِلَىٰ فِرْعَوْنَ وَمَلَإِي۟هِۦ فَٱسْتَكْبَرُوا۟ وَكَانُوا۟ قَوْمًا عَالِينَ 46
Translations
To Pharaoh and his establishment, but they were arrogant and were a haughty people.
Transliteration
Ila Fir'awna wa malai'ihi fastakbaru wa kanu qawman 'aliin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to Prophet Musa and Harun being sent to Pharaoh and his chiefs, who responded with arrogance and rejection of the message. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, their استكبار (istikbar - arrogance) and their description as a قوم عالين (qawm 'aliin - exalted/mighty people) in their own eyes represents the spiritual blindness that prevents people from accepting divine truth. Their arrogance was not merely personal but collective, reflecting a society corrupted by power and false grandeur.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within the narrative of Surah Al-Mu'minun, which recounts the stories of previous prophets and their communities. It specifically references the mission of Musa and Harun to Pharaoh, highlighting the archetypal pattern of divine guidance being rejected by those intoxicated with worldly power and status. The surah was revealed in Mecca to comfort the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) with examples of past messengers facing similar opposition.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The most hated person to Allah is the most arrogant person.' (Sunan Ibn Majah) This relates thematically to Pharaoh's استكبار and the consequences of rejecting divine guidance through pride.
Themes
Key Lesson
Arrogance and worldly status are the greatest obstacles to accepting divine truth and guidance. We must examine our hearts for pride and remain humble before Allah's signs, lest we follow the path of Pharaoh and those who rejected the messengers.