وَقَالَ مُوسَىٰٓ إِنِّى عُذْتُ بِرَبِّى وَرَبِّكُم مِّن كُلِّ مُتَكَبِّرٍ لَّا يُؤْمِنُ بِيَوْمِ ٱلْحِسَابِ 27
Translations
But Moses said, "Indeed, I have sought refuge in my Lord and your Lord from every arrogant one who does not believe in the Day of Account."
Transliteration
Wa qāla Mūsā innī 'udhthu bi Rabbī wa Rabbikum min kulli mutakabbirin lā yu'minu bi yawmi al-hisāb
Tafsir (Explanation)
Musa (peace be upon him) seeks refuge in Allah, his Lord and the Lord of all people, from every arrogant person who denies the Day of Judgment. This statement reflects Musa's deep reliance on Allah and his rejection of Pharaoh's arrogance and disbelief. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this refuge-seeking (istia'dha) is both a spiritual protection and a clear declaration of truth against falsehood, highlighting that arrogance and denial of the afterlife are intrinsically linked.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Musa's dialogue with his people while under Pharaoh's oppression. Surah Ghafir portrays the believer from Pharaoh's household warning the people, and this verse shows Musa's steadfastness and trust in Allah despite facing the proud, disbelieving Pharaoh. The surah emphasizes that true power belongs to Allah alone, not to earthly tyrants.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The most hateful of people to Allah is the most proud' (related by Ibn Majah). Additionally, in Sahih Muslim, the Prophet warned against arrogance (kibr) as one of the major impediments to faith and righteousness.
Themes
Key Lesson
True strength lies in seeking Allah's protection through sincere faith rather than relying on worldly power or influence. Arrogance and rejection of accountability in the afterlife are spiritual diseases that blind hearts to truth—believers must consciously seek refuge from such attitudes in themselves and others.
Related Ayahs
ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا۟ بِٱلْكِتَـٰبِ وَبِمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا بِهِۦ رُسُلَنَا ۖ فَسَوْفَ يَعْلَمُونَ
Those who deny the Book [i.e., the Qur’ān] and that with which We sent Our messengers - they are going to know,
أَسْبَـٰبَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ فَأَطَّلِعَ إِلَىٰٓ إِلَـٰهِ مُوسَىٰ وَإِنِّى لَأَظُنُّهُۥ كَـٰذِبًا ۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ زُيِّنَ لِفِرْعَوْنَ سُوٓءُ عَمَلِهِۦ وَصُدَّ عَنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ ۚ وَمَا كَيْدُ فِرْعَوْنَ إِلَّا فِى تَبَابٍ
The ways into the heavens - so that I may look at the deity of Moses; but indeed, I think he is a liar." And thus was made attractive to Pharaoh the evil of his deed, and he was averted from the [right] way. And the plan of Pharaoh was not except in ruin.
وَكَذَٰلِكَ حَقَّتْ كَلِمَتُ رَبِّكَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ أَنَّهُمْ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ
And thus has the word [i.e., decree] of your Lord come into effect upon those who disbelieved that they are companions of the Fire.
إِلَىٰ فِرْعَوْنَ وَهَـٰمَـٰنَ وَقَـٰرُونَ فَقَالُوا۟ سَـٰحِرٌ كَذَّابٌ
To Pharaoh, Hāmān and Qārūn, but they said, "[He is] a magician and a liar."