Surah 17:83
Show Full Scripture Context (17:83-84) — 2 Verses
وَإِذَآ أَنۡعَمۡنَا عَلَى ٱلۡإِنسَٰنِ أَعۡرَضَ وَنَـَٔا بِجَانِبِهِۦ وَإِذَا مَسَّهُ ٱلشَّرُّ كَانَ يَـُٔوسٗا
When We bless a person, he turns away and distances himself, but when evil touches him, he is in despair.
قُلۡ كُلّٞ يَعۡمَلُ عَلَىٰ شَاكِلَتِهِۦ فَرَبُّكُمۡ أَعۡلَمُ بِمَنۡ هُوَ أَهۡدَىٰ سَبِيلٗا
Say: ‘Each does according to his own disposition, but your Lord knows who is best guided (as to the) way.’
Allah tells us about the weakness that is inherent in man, except for those whom He protects at both times of ease and calamity. If Allah blesses a man with wealth, good health, ease, provision and help, and he gets what he wants, he turns away from the obedience and worship of Allah, and becomes arrogant. Mujahid said, "(It means) he goes away from Us." I say, this is like the Ayah:
When man is stricken with evil, which means disasters, accidents and calamities.
{he is in great despair.}, meaning that he thinks he will never have anything good again. As Allah says,
Ibn 'Abbas said, "According to his inclinations." Mujahid said, "According to his inclinations and his nature." Qatadah said, "According to his intentions." Ibn Zayd said, "According to his religion." All these suggestions are close in meaning. This Ayah - and Allah knows best - is a threat and a warning to the idolaters, like the Ayah:
{And say to those who do not believe: "Act according to your ability and way"} (11:121)
So Allah says:
meaning either us or you. Everyone will be rewarded in accordance with his deeds, for nothing whatsoever is hidden from Allah.
— from Tafsir Ibn Kathir (Page 74-76)