Transliteration:( Ayahsabu al-lai yaqdira 'alaihi ahad )
This verse was revealed concerning Usaid bin Kaleedah, a well-known wrestler whose strength was legendary. His strength was such that he could press a skin under his foot, and even if ten men tried to free it, they would be unable to. The skin would tear apart, but it would not be freed from under his foot.
When the Holy Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) preached Islam to him, he shared the glad tidings of Paradise and warned him about the punishment of Hell. Usaid, confident in his strength, replied that the angels of Hell would not be able to harm him. He arrogantly claimed that a single man like himself was enough to face them. In response to this arrogance, the verse was revealed.
Key Insights:
Human Arrogance and Allah's Power:
Allah's Control Over Man:
Rejecting the Spiritual Authorities:
In conclusion, this verse highlights the arrogance of relying on personal strength and the importance of acknowledging the spiritual guides that Allah has placed in our lives. It reminds us that true power lies with Allah alone and that we must remain humble in recognizing our dependence on His mercy and the guidance He has provided through His chosen servants.
The tafsir of Surah Balad verse 5 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Balad ayat 1 which provides the complete commentary from verse 1 through 10.
(90:5) Does he think that no one can overpower him?[6]
6. That is, is man, who is ever exposed to such hazards, involved in the delusion that he can do what he likes, and there is no superior power to seize and suppress him? The fact, however, is that even before the occurrence of the Hereafter in this world itself, he sees that his destiny every moment is being ruled by some other Being against Whose decrees all his plans and designs prove ineffective. A single jolt of the earthquake, a blast of wind, a flood in the river and a sea-storm are enough to show how weak and feeble man is against the divine forces. A sudden accident can reduce a strong and robust person to a cripple; one turn of the fortune deposes a mighty sovereign from the position of authority. When the fortunes of the nations, which have climbed to the very apex of glory and prosperity, change, they are humiliated and disgraced even in the world where no one could dare look at them in the face. How has then this man been deluded into thinking that no one else can have power over him.
Related Ayat(Verses)/Topics