Surah 17

Surah 17:84

"Say: ‘Each does according to his own disposition, but your Lord knows who is best guided (as to the) way.’"
Turning away from Allah at Times of Base and despairing at Times of Calamity Verses 17:83-84
Show Full Scripture Context (17:83-84) — 2 Verses
Verse 83

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.

Verse 84

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:

{But when We have removed his harm from him, he passes on as if he had never invoked Us for a harm that touched him!} (10:12) and;

Quoted Scripture
"But when He brings you safe to land, you turn away."

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,

{And if We give man a taste of mercy from Us, and remove it from him, verily, He is despairing, ungrateful. But if We let him taste good after evil has touched him, he is sure to say: "Ills have departed from me." Surely, he is exultant, and boastful. Except those who show patience and do righteous good deeds: those, theirs will be forgiveness and a great reward.} (11:9-11)

Quoted Scripture
"Say: "Each one does according to Shakilatihi...""

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:

Quoted Scripture
"Say: "Each one does according to Shakilatihi, and your Lord knows best of him whose path is right.""

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)

About this Source & Scholarly Authority (Tafsir Ibn Kathir)

Universal Sunni Consensus: Tafsir al-Qur'an al-Azim by Hafiz Ibn Kathir (701–774 AH / 1301–1373 AD) is universally regarded across all major schools of Sunni Islam (traditional, Salafi, Ash'ari) as the most authoritative classical exegesis. It is prized because it relies on Tafsir bil-Ma'thur—interpreting the Quran using the Quran itself, authentic Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad, and recorded statements of the early Companions (Sahabah).

Standard English Edition: This text is from the standard 10-volume English abridgment published by Dar-us-Salam Publications (supervised by Shaykh Safiur-Rahman Al-Mubarakpuri), which is the official, most widely distributed English Quranic commentary in mosques and Islamic libraries worldwide today.