Fussilat (Explained in detail)

50. And indeed, if We give him a taste of Mercy from Us, after some adversity has touched him, he is sure to say: “This is due to my [merit]; [he becomes so arrogant that he says:] I think not that the Hour will be established. But if I am brought back to my Lord, surely, there will be for me the best [exalted state] with Him. Then, We verily, will show to the disbelievers what they have done and We shall make them taste a severe torment.

Seeking Mammon leads to neglect and at times denial of Resurrection. Man is intolerant and arrogant and upon his access to bounties becomes arrogant. Likewise, upon tasting afflictions, man loses his heart and cries out for assistance.

The blessed Verse makes a reference to one of the undesirable states of men who lack knowledge and faith, namely, arrogance and vanity, saying:

“Whenever we give him a taste of Mercy from Us, after some adversity has touched him, he is sure to say: ‘This is due to my merit.’”

Such miserable and arrogant person forgets that had it not been for Divine Favor, he would have been afflicted with adversity. It was in the same vein that arrogant Korah who was granted many a material gain for his trial refrained from doing good.

When he was asked to do good in return for Divine Favors, he claimed that he possessed his material possessions because of his knowledge and merits,

“He said: ‘This has been given to me only because of the knowledge I possess’”1 .

The blessed Verse further adds that such arrogance will lead him to denial of Resurrection and he will say:

“I do not think that the Hour will be established, but whenever I return to my Lord, surely, there will be for me the best [rewards and bounties.”

He says that his Lord has cherished him in this world and will surely grant him better rewards!