Transliteration:( Innal lazeena yujaadi loona feee Aayaatil laahi bighairi sultaanin ataahum in fee sudoorihim illaa kibrum maa hum bibaaligheeh; fasta'iz billaahi innahoo Huwas Samee'ul Baseer )
"Surely, those who dispute [142] concerning the signs of Allah, without any authority they may have got, there is nothing in their hearts, but an ambition [143] of greatness, to which they shall not reach [144]. So, you ask refuge with Allah. Certainly, He is All-Hearing, All-Seeing [145]."
This refers to disbelievers like the Quraysh, who rejected the Qur’an’s signs without any valid proof. Their arguments were not based on scholarship or truth, but on stubborn denial.
It’s important to distinguish this from the genuine efforts of scholars who explain the Qur’an sincerely — their purpose is to clarify truth, not create mischief.
Those who rejected the Prophet ﷺ were motivated by pride and envy. They questioned:
"Why should we obey Muhammad when we are the leaders of the people?"
Their arrogance prevented them from recognizing the truth, even when it was clearly evident.
Waging jihad with dignity against disbelievers is praiseworthy.
Showing arrogance against fellow believers is forbidden.
Being arrogant towards the Prophet is disbelief — as seen in the case of Iblīs, who refused to bow to Adam and was ruined.
Though they aspired to supremacy, they were destined for disgrace. They never reached the greatness they imagined.
Their worldly ambitions were shattered, and in the Hereafter, they will be humiliated further.
The tafsir of Surah Muminun verse 56 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Muminun ayat 51 which provides the complete commentary from verse 51 through 56.
(40:56) Verily those who dispute regarding the Signs of Allah without any evidence that might have come to them, nothing but vain pride fills their hearts. Yet they shall never be able to satisfy the pride[75] with which they are puffed up.[76] So seek refuge with Allah.[77] Verily He is All-Hearing, All-Seeing.
75. That is, the real cause for their opposition without any argument and their irrational crooked argumentation is not that they do not understand the thruth and the themes of goodness and reform being presented before them in the form of the revelations of Allah; therefore, they dispute about them in good faith in order to understand them. But the actual reason for their wrong attitude is that their selfconceit does not permit any tolerance. They do not want that in Arabia the guidance and leadership of Muhammad (peace be upon him) should be accepted and acknowledged. And ultimately one day they themselves should have to accept the leadership of the person against whom they think they have a greater right to be the chiefs and leaders. That is why they are straining every nerve not to let Muhammad (peace be upon him) have his way, and they do not hesitate to use any mean device whatsoever for the purpose.
76. In other words it means: He whom Allah has made great, will remain great, and the efforts of the small people who are trying to establish their superiority will ultimately end in failure.
77. That is, just as Moses (peace be upon him) had become free from fear and anxiety after invoking Allah Almighty’s help and refuge against Pharaoh’s threats, so should you also seek His help and refuge against the threats and conspiracies of the chiefs of the Quraish, then should busy yourself in raising His word being free from every anxiety.
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