سُوْرَةُ الْاَعْرَافِ
Surah Al-A'raaf (7) — Ayah 146
سَأَصْرِفُ عَنْ ءَايَـٰتِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَتَكَبَّرُونَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ ٱلْحَقِّ وَإِن يَرَوْا۟ كُلَّ ءَايَةٍ لَّا يُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِهَا وَإِن يَرَوْا۟ سَبِيلَ ٱلرُّشْدِ لَا يَتَّخِذُوهُ سَبِيلًا وَإِن يَرَوْا۟ سَبِيلَ ٱلْغَىِّ يَتَّخِذُوهُ سَبِيلًا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ كَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا وَكَانُوا۟ عَنْهَا غَـٰفِلِينَ ﴿146﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
I shall turn away from My Ayât (verses of the Qur’ân) those who behave arrogantly on the earth, without a right, and (even) if they see all the Ayât (proofs, evidence, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), they will not believe in them. And if they see the way of righteousness (monotheism, piety, and good deeds), they will not adopt it as the Way, but if they see the way of error (polytheism, crimes and evil deeds), they will adopt that way, that is because they have rejected Our Ayât (proofs, evidence, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) and were heedless (to learn a lesson) from them.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
سَأَصْرِفُ
sa-aṣrifu
I will turn away
عَنْ
ʿan
from
ءَايَـٰتِىَ
āyātiya
My Signs
ٱلَّذِينَ
alladhīna
those who
يَتَكَبَّرُونَ
yatakabbarūna
are arrogant
فِى
fī
in
ٱلْأَرْضِ
l-arḍi
the earth
بِغَيْرِ
bighayri
without
ٱلْحَقِّ
l-ḥaqi
[the] right
وَإِن
wa-in
and if
يَرَوْا۟
yaraw
they see
كُلَّ
kulla
every
ءَايَةٍۢ
āyatin
sign
لَّا
lā
not
يُؤْمِنُوا۟
yu'minū
(will) they believe
بِهَا
bihā
in it
وَإِن
wa-in
And if
يَرَوْا۟
yaraw
they see
سَبِيلَ
sabīla
(the) way
ٱلرُّشْدِ
l-rush'di
(of) the righteousness
لَا
lā
not
يَتَّخِذُوهُ
yattakhidhūhu
(will) they take it
سَبِيلًۭا
sabīlan
(as) a way
وَإِن
wa-in
but if
يَرَوْا۟
yaraw
they see
سَبِيلَ
sabīla
(the) way
ٱلْغَىِّ
l-ghayi
(of) [the] error
يَتَّخِذُوهُ
yattakhidhūhu
they will take it
سَبِيلًۭا ۚ
sabīlan
(as) a way
ذَٰلِكَ
dhālika
That
بِأَنَّهُمْ
bi-annahum
(is) because they
كَذَّبُوا۟
kadhabū
denied
بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا
biāyātinā
Our Signs
وَكَانُوا۟
wakānū
and they were
عَنْهَا
ʿanhā
of them
غَـٰفِلِينَ
ghāfilīna
heedless
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
(Ayah 146) ➊ { سَاَصْرِفُ عَنْ اٰيٰتِيَ …:} The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "That person will not enter Paradise who has even a mustard seed's weight of arrogance in his heart." A man said: "A person likes that his clothes are good and his shoes are good (is this also arrogance)?" He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Indeed, Allah is beautiful and loves beauty. Arrogance is to reject the truth out of pride and to consider people insignificant and worthless." [ مسلم، الإیمان، باب تحریم الکبر و بیانہ : ۹۱، عن ابن مسعود رضی اللہ عنہ ] From this it is understood that those who, after hearing the verses of Allah, do not accept the truth due to their pride and sense of superiority, Allah also turns them away from accepting His verses. Here it is said: "I will turn away from My verses those..." meaning, I will punish them in such a way that they will not be able to understand My greatness, Shariah, and commands, and then, due to remaining ignorant, they will be humiliated in both this world and the Hereafter. (Also see Al-An'am: 110) Therefore, some of the Salaf have said: "An arrogant person cannot acquire knowledge, and whoever cannot bear the humiliation of seeking knowledge for even an hour, he remains ignorant and takes on everlasting humiliation." (Ibn Kathir) From the words of {’’ بِغَيْرِ الْحَقِّ ‘‘} it is understood that where it is appropriate, showing greatness is permissible, for example, in the battlefield against the disbelievers, Allah loves even a proud gait, which in ordinary circumstances He greatly dislikes.
➋ { وَ كَانُوْا عَنْهَا غٰفِلِيْنَ: } That is, all this will be a punishment for what they themselves have done, as it is said in another verse: «{ فَلَمَّا زَاغُوْۤا اَزَاغَ اللّٰهُ قُلُوْبَهُمْ}» [ الصف : ۵ ] "When they deviated, Allah caused their hearts to deviate." Shah Abdul Qadir (may Allah have mercy on him) writes: "After giving the tablets, it was also said that the nation should be bound to act, and it was also said that those who are unjust and not seekers of truth, I will turn their hearts away, they will not act upon it, that is, they will not be granted the ability to act upon these commands, and whatever they do with their own intellect will not be accepted." (Muwadhih)
➋ { وَ كَانُوْا عَنْهَا غٰفِلِيْنَ: } That is, all this will be a punishment for what they themselves have done, as it is said in another verse: «{ فَلَمَّا زَاغُوْۤا اَزَاغَ اللّٰهُ قُلُوْبَهُمْ}» [ الصف : ۵ ] "When they deviated, Allah caused their hearts to deviate." Shah Abdul Qadir (may Allah have mercy on him) writes: "After giving the tablets, it was also said that the nation should be bound to act, and it was also said that those who are unjust and not seekers of truth, I will turn their hearts away, they will not act upon it, that is, they will not be granted the ability to act upon these commands, and whatever they do with their own intellect will not be accepted." (Muwadhih)
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
146. 1. Arrogance means considering oneself superior in comparison to Allah’s signs and commands, and regarding people as inferior. This arrogance does not befit a human, because Allah is the Creator and he is His creation. Being a creation, to oppose the Creator and to neglect or turn away from His commands and guidance is in no way permissible. That is why arrogance is extremely disliked by Allah. In this verse, the consequence of arrogance is mentioned: that Allah keeps them away from the divine signs, and then they become so distant that no kind of sign succeeds in bringing them towards the truth. As stated in another place (translation): Those upon whom the word of your Lord has been established will not believe, even if every kind of sign comes to them, until they see the painful punishment.
146. 2. In this, a habit or psychology of those who turn away from Allah’s commands is described: when any matter of guidance comes before them, they do not accept it, but if they see anything of misguidance, they immediately adopt it and make it their way of action. The reality described by the Noble Quran can be observed in every era. Even today, we see everywhere and in every society, even in Muslim societies, that virtue is hiding its face and evil is being adopted eagerly by people.
146. 3. Here, the reason is being explained as to why people adopt evil more than good, and falsehood more than truth. The reason is the denial of Allah’s signs and neglect and turning away from them. This is common in every society.
146. 2. In this, a habit or psychology of those who turn away from Allah’s commands is described: when any matter of guidance comes before them, they do not accept it, but if they see anything of misguidance, they immediately adopt it and make it their way of action. The reality described by the Noble Quran can be observed in every era. Even today, we see everywhere and in every society, even in Muslim societies, that virtue is hiding its face and evil is being adopted eagerly by people.
146. 3. Here, the reason is being explained as to why people adopt evil more than good, and falsehood more than truth. The reason is the denial of Allah’s signs and neglect and turning away from them. This is common in every society.
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
146. I will turn away from My signs those who behave arrogantly on the earth without right [143]. Even if they see every sign, they will not believe in it. And if they see the way of guidance, they will not adopt it, but if they see the way of error, they will adopt it at once [143.1]. This is because they denied Our signs and were heedless of them.
[143]
Definition and Signs of Arrogance:
A comprehensive definition of arrogance is found in the following hadith. Abdullah bin Mas'ud ؓ says that the Prophet ﷺ said: "He will not enter Paradise who has even a mustard seed's weight of arrogance in his heart." A man said: Every person likes that his clothes are good and his shoes are good (is this arrogance?). The Prophet ﷺ said: "Allah is beautiful and loves beauty. Arrogance is to reject the truth and to look down upon people." [ مسلم، كتاب الايمان۔ باب تحريم الكبرو بيانه]
That is, one sign of arrogance is that the arrogant person does not care about Allah's commands and begins to consider himself above the position of servitude to Allah, as if he is neither Allah's servant nor is Allah his Lord. The second sign is that he begins to consider himself a superior creature compared to ordinary people and treats others as inferior to himself, even though there is no justification for this self-conceit. While living on Allah's earth and eating His sustenance, no one has the right to remain disobedient and arrogant towards Allah. That is why Allah has used the words "without right" here.
[143۔ 1]
The Effect of Arrogance on Human Dispositions:
The meaning of the entire sentence will be that the eyes of those who are arrogant without reason do not even turn towards the signs of Allah. Even if the entire universe is filled with such signs of Allah and countless such signs exist within their own bodies, or if Allah's verses are recited to them, their hearts do not accept any effect. And even if they witness an extraordinary miracle, they are ready to seek interpretations and explanations for it, but they do not accept guidance. However, if there is something misleading, something that follows their own desires, if Allah's verses are being mocked, or if weak Muslims are being ridiculed, then such things greatly appeal to them and seem good to them.
[143]
Definition and Signs of Arrogance:
A comprehensive definition of arrogance is found in the following hadith. Abdullah bin Mas'ud ؓ says that the Prophet ﷺ said: "He will not enter Paradise who has even a mustard seed's weight of arrogance in his heart." A man said: Every person likes that his clothes are good and his shoes are good (is this arrogance?). The Prophet ﷺ said: "Allah is beautiful and loves beauty. Arrogance is to reject the truth and to look down upon people." [ مسلم، كتاب الايمان۔ باب تحريم الكبرو بيانه]
That is, one sign of arrogance is that the arrogant person does not care about Allah's commands and begins to consider himself above the position of servitude to Allah, as if he is neither Allah's servant nor is Allah his Lord. The second sign is that he begins to consider himself a superior creature compared to ordinary people and treats others as inferior to himself, even though there is no justification for this self-conceit. While living on Allah's earth and eating His sustenance, no one has the right to remain disobedient and arrogant towards Allah. That is why Allah has used the words "without right" here.
[143۔ 1]
The Effect of Arrogance on Human Dispositions:
The meaning of the entire sentence will be that the eyes of those who are arrogant without reason do not even turn towards the signs of Allah. Even if the entire universe is filled with such signs of Allah and countless such signs exist within their own bodies, or if Allah's verses are recited to them, their hearts do not accept any effect. And even if they witness an extraordinary miracle, they are ready to seek interpretations and explanations for it, but they do not accept guidance. However, if there is something misleading, something that follows their own desires, if Allah's verses are being mocked, or if weak Muslims are being ridiculed, then such things greatly appeal to them and seem good to them.
