Al-Qur'an Surah Ibrahim Verse 15

Mufti Taqi Usmani

They sought final decision (by demanding the divine scourge), and (thus) every obstinate tyrant failed.

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

And both sides called for judgment, so every stubborn tyrant was doomed.

Ruwwad Translation Center

[The messengers] sought victory, and every obstinate tyrant was doomed.

A. J. Arberry

They sought a judgment; then was disappointed every froward tyrant --

Abdul Haleem

They asked God to decide, and every obstinate tyrant failed-

Abdul Majid Daryabadi

And they besought judgment, and disappointed was every tyrant obstinate.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

But they sought victory and decision (there and then), and frustration was the lot of every powerful obstinate transgressor.

Abul Ala Maududi

They sought Our judgement. And (thanks to that judgement) every obstinate tyrant opposed to the Truth was brought to naught.

Ahmed Ali

Then (the apostles) asked of God's assistance, and every arrogant tyrant was frustrated:

Ahmed Raza Khan

And they sought a decision, and every stubborn rebel was destroyed.

Ali Quli Qarai

They prayed for victory [against the infidels], and every obstinate tyrant was defeated,

Ali Ünal

They (both the Messengers and unbelievers) sought a judgment (through test of right and might), and in the end every stubborn tyrant was frustrated (made to fail),

Amatul Rahman Omar

They sought a judgment, (but when it came) every haughty person (and) enemy (of truth) met with no success (and was utterly disappointed).

English Literal

And they seeked victory/judgment , and every stubborn/obstinate tyrant/rebel failed/despaired .

Faridul Haque

And they sought a decision, and every stubborn rebel was destroyed.

Hamid S. Aziz

Then they sought to force a decision (to settle the matter in their favour); and disappointed was every rebel tyrant!

Hilali & Khan

But they (the Messengers) sought victory and help [from their Lord (Allah)], and every obstinate, arrogant dictator (who refuses to believe in the Oneness of Allah) was brought to a complete loss and destruction.

Maulana Mohammad Ali

And We shall certainly settle you in the land after them. This is for him who fears standing in My presence and fears My threat.

Mohammad Habib Shakir

And they asked for judgment and every insolent opposer was disappointed:

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall

And they sought help (from their Lord) and every froward potentate was bought to naught;

Muhammad Sarwar

They prayed for victory and the haughty transgressors were defeated.

Qaribullah & Darwish

They sought a judgment, then every tyrant was disappointed.

Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

And they sought victory and help; and every obstinate, arrogant dictator (who refuses to believe in the Oneness of Allah) was brought to a complete loss and destruction.

Wahiduddin Khan

When they sought Our Judgement, every stubborn oppressor was frustrated.

Talal Itani

And they prayed for victory, and every stubborn tyrant came to disappointment.

Tafsir jalalayn

And they sought victory, the messengers sought assistance from God against their people; and every tyrant, disdaining obedience to God, rebellious, obstinate to the truth, was brought to nothing;

Tafseer Ibn Kathir

وَاسْتَفْتَحُواْ

And they sought victory and help,

refers to the Messengers who sought the help and victory of their Lord over their nations, according to Abdullah bin Abbas, Mujahid and Qatadah.

Abdur-Rahman bin Zayd bin Aslam said that;

this Ayah refers to the nations, invoking Allah's victory against themselves!

Some idolators said,

اللَّهُمَّ إِن كَانَ هَـذَا هُوَ الْحَقَّ مِنْ عِندِكَ فَأَمْطِرْ عَلَيْنَا حِجَارَةً مِّنَ السَّمَأءِ أَوِ ايْتِنَا بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ

O Allah! If this (Qur'an) is indeed the truth (revealed) from You, then rain down stones on us from the sky or bring on us a painful torment. (8;32)

It is possible that both meanings are desired here, for the idolators (of Quraysh) invoked Allah against themselves on the day of Badr, and the Messenger of Allah invoked Him for victory and support.

Allah said to the idolators then,

إِن تَسْتَفْتِحُواْ فَقَدْ جَأءَكُمُ الْفَتْحُ وَإِن تَنتَهُواْ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ

(O disbelievers) if you ask for a judgment, now has the judgment come unto you; and if you cease (to do wrong), it will be better for you. (8;19)

Allah knows best.

Allah said next,

وَخَابَ كُلُّ جَبَّارٍ عَنِيدٍ



and every obstinate, arrogant dictator was brought to a complete loss and destruction.

those who were arrogant and rebelled against the truth.

Allah said in other Ayat,

أَلْقِيَا فِى جَهَنَّمَ كُلَّ كَفَّارٍ عَنِيدٍ

مَّنَّـعٍ لِّلْخَيْرِ مُعْتَدٍ مُّرِيبٍ

الَّذِى جَعَلَ مَعَ اللَّهِ إِلَـهاً ءَاخَرَ فَأَلْقِيَـهُ فِى الْعَذَابِ الشَّدِيدِ

(Allah will say to the angels);"Both of you throw into Hell every stubborn disbeliever - hinderer of good, transgressor, doubter, who set up another deity with Allah. Then both of you cast him in the severe torment." (50;24-26)

The Prophet said,

إِنَّهُ يُوْتَى بِجَهَنَّمَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ فَتُنَادِي الْخَلَيِقَ فَتَقُولُ إِنِّي وُكِّلْتُ بِكُلِّ جَبَّارٍ عَنِيد

On the Day of Resurrection, Jahannam (Hellfire) will be brought and it will call the creatures, saying, "I was given the responsibility of every rebellious tyrant."

Therefore, every tyrant has earned utter demise and loss when the Prophets invoked Allah, the Mighty, the Able for victory.

Allah said next