Can mankind rival mountains in terms of height ?

[Islam!!yay]

:salam2:

I read in Surah 17:37 that we can never rival the mountains in height? Was Allah SWT telling the people at that time that they cannot rival mountains in height or telling mankind that man can never rival the height of mountains? I ask cause i think of todays skyscapers like the tall burj Khalifa and there are talks in Saudi Arabia about an even taller building. And then there is the space elevator which is technically an elevator that goes all the way to space and it does that by a very long ribbon that stretches for miles up (not built yet). I dont mean to be disrespecful and i hope im not but Dont these structures somewhat rival mountains ? So please anyone with knowledge or suggestions please help.

Thank You

 

[Islam!!yay]

Noone has an answer ?

 

[Perseveranze]

You know there is a Hadith where the Prophet(pbuh) mentions about skyscrapers (basically people competing with each other to build tall buildings).

I'm pretty sure it's metaphorical statement, we know Moses(pbuh) climbed on top of the mountain, I'm sure there must've been other people at the time of the Prophet(pbuh) who had climbed the top of mountains. The Prophet(pbuh) himself used to meditate high in a mountain cave.

Anyways, this is the description of the verse -

(17:37) (14). Do not strut about in the land for you can neither cleave the earth nor attain the height of the mountains.

*43 This instruction warns against the ways of tyrants and vain people and is not merely meant for the individual but also for the collective conduct of the Muslim Community. It was because of this guidance that the rulers, governors and commanders of the Islamic State which was established on the basis of this Manifesto, were free from every tinge of tyranny, arrogance, haughtiness, pride and vanity, so much so that even in the battlefield they never uttered a word which had the slightest indication of any of these vain things. Their gait, dress, dwelling and conveyance showed humility. In short, their ways of conduct were not those of "big ones" but those of humble persons. That is why they never tried to overawe the people of a conquered city by show of pomp and pride.

This verse is seen as a metaphorical statement, basically telling man not to be ignorant.

If someone with more knowledge can explain in more detail it would be better.

 

[Aroosak]

As with all Surahs we need to read each ayah in the context of the whole Surah in order to understand the message in it. In this part of the surah it talks about actions that are hated by Allah t'ala. Right before, it talks about people that invent lies in dreams and after the ayah about the mountains it talks about condemnation of strutting in this earth. So the comparison with the mountains it was in metaphorical as someone mentioned before. It talks about people that think of themselves as if they were magnificent and high as mountains. It just warns us agains any type of arrogance.

May Allah make us all humble slaves inshAllah.