Tafsir of Al-Qasas 28:39

(And he and his soldiers acted arrogantly) meaning they viewed everyone else as insignificant in comparison to themselves and did not perceive greatness or pride except for their own selves; thus, they looked at others as kings look at slaves.

(In the earth) The majority hold that this refers to the land of Egypt. It is also said that it refers to the well-known celestial body opposite the heaven. Restricting it to this [the earth] serves to condemn them, for they acted arrogantly upon that which is the lowest of bodies, whereas it would have been more befitting for them to look at their own station and its lowliness, so as not to act arrogantly.

(Without right) meaning without justification, for their perspective was false. The perception that everyone is insignificant compared to oneself, and the perception of greatness and pride belonging exclusively to oneself to the exclusion of others, is not a "right" except for Allah, the Mighty and Majestic. Hence, Al-Zamakhshari said: "Arrogance by right belongs only to Allah Almighty, and every arrogant one besides Him, the Mighty and Majestic, is arrogant without right." In the Sacred Hadith (Hadith Qudsi), it is said: "Pride is My cloak and Greatness is My garment, so whoever disputes with Me regarding either of them, I will cast him into the Fire."

(And they thought that they would not be returned to Us) by resurrection for recompense. Regarding the word "thought" (zann), it is said: either it is to be taken literally, or it is an expression of their belief as a means of belittling them and exposing their folly. Hamzah, Al-Kisa'i, and Nafi' recited la yurja'un (they will not be returned) with a fatha on the ya and a kasra on the jim.