وَٱسْتَفْتَحُوا۟ وَخَابَ كُلُّ جَبَّارٍ عَنِيدٍ 15
Translations
And they requested decision [i.e., victory from Allāh], and disappointed, [therefore], was every obstinate tyrant.
Transliteration
Wa-staftahu wa-khaba kullu jabbarin aneed
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes how the disbelievers sought victory (istaftahu - asked for decision/judgment from Allah), yet every arrogant and stubborn tyrant was disappointed and failed in their objectives. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this refers to the polytheists of Mecca who persistently opposed Prophet Ibrahim and sought to overcome him, but Allah's plan ultimately prevailed and they were disgraced. The ayah emphasizes that no amount of arrogance, strength, or obstinacy can overcome Allah's will and the truth He establishes.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within Surah Ibrahim, which recounts the narrative of Prophet Ibrahim's call to monotheism and the responses of his people. The broader context of verses 12-15 describes the disbelievers' rejection and their supplication for victory against the believers, followed by their ultimate failure. The surah was revealed in Mecca during a period of intense opposition to the message of tawheed.
Related Hadiths
The theme of arrogant rejectors being humiliated is reinforced in numerous hadiths. See Sunan Ibn Majah where the Prophet ﷺ mentioned that 'The most hated person to Allah is the most arrogant one among the people.' Additionally, Sahih Muslim contains narrations about how tyrants and the stubborn-hearted will face disgrace on the Day of Judgment.
Themes
Key Lesson
No matter how powerful or obstinate the enemies of truth appear, their schemes will ultimately fail and they will be humbled before Allah. Modern believers should find reassurance that steadfastness in faith and reliance on Allah's plan supersedes worldly strength and should not fear the opposition of the proud and haughty.
Related Ayahs
فِى سَمُومٍ وَحَمِيمٍ
[They will be] in scorching fire and scalding water
وَضَلَّ عَنْهُم مَّا كَانُوا۟ يَدْعُونَ مِن قَبْلُ ۖ وَظَنُّوا۟ مَا لَهُم مِّن مَّحِيصٍ
And lost from them will be those they were invoking before, and they will be certain that they have no place of escape.
أَوَلَمْ يَسِيرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَيَنظُرُوا۟ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۚ كَانُوٓا۟ أَشَدَّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةً وَأَثَارُوا۟ ٱلْأَرْضَ وَعَمَرُوهَآ أَكْثَرَ مِمَّا عَمَرُوهَا وَجَآءَتْهُمْ رُسُلُهُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ ۖ فَمَا كَانَ ٱللَّهُ لِيَظْلِمَهُمْ وَلَـٰكِن كَانُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ
Have they not traveled through the earth and observed how was the end of those before them? They were greater than them in power, and they plowed [or excavated] the earth and built it up more than they [i.e., the Makkans] have built it up, and their messengers came to them with clear evidences. And Allāh would not ever have wronged them, but they were wronging themselves.
وَإِذَا رَءَا ٱلَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُوا۟ شُرَكَآءَهُمْ قَالُوا۟ رَبَّنَا هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ شُرَكَآؤُنَا ٱلَّذِينَ كُنَّا نَدْعُوا۟ مِن دُونِكَ ۖ فَأَلْقَوْا۟ إِلَيْهِمُ ٱلْقَوْلَ إِنَّكُمْ لَكَـٰذِبُونَ
And when those who associated others with Allāh see their "partners," they will say, "Our Lord, these are our partners [to You] whom we used to invoke [in worship] besides You." But they will throw at them the statement, "Indeed, you are liars."