Tafsir of Al-Isra 17:27

This is a justification for the prohibition of extravagance by explaining that it binds the perpetrator to the rank of the devils. "Brothers" (ikhwan) is the plural of "brother" (akh), and it is intended here metaphorically to mean "the like of," meaning they resemble them in evil traits, of which extravagance is one. Or, it may be used metaphorically to mean "friends and followers," meaning they are their friends and followers in the aforementioned acts of extravagance and spending on sins; for they used to slaughter camels, gamble over them, and squander their wealth for the sake of reputation and all other forbidden things and frivolous distractions in which there is no good. It may also mean "companions," as previously stated, meaning they are their associates in the Fire, by way of a threat.

This is a continuation of the justification, meaning an exaggeration in denying the blessings of the Exalted Almighty. This is because his habit is to divert all the powers and abilities that God Almighty has given him toward purposes other than those for which they were created—such as various types of sins, spreading corruption on earth, misleading people, inciting them to disbelieve in God Almighty, denying the blessings overflowing upon them, and spending them on things other than what God Almighty has commanded.

In specifying this particular attribute for mention among his other ugly traits, there is an indication that extravagance—which is the act of spending the blessings of God Almighty on that which is not their proper destination—is a form of ingratitude (kufr), which stands in opposition to gratitude (shukr), which is spending them on that for which they were created. The mention of the title "Lordship" (Rububiyyah) hints at the completeness of his arrogance, as is not hidden. The words of some imply the possibility of interpreting "ingratitude" (kufr) here as that which is the opposite of faith (iman), but that is not the preferred view.