The Troops
IN THE NAME OF GOD, THE MOST GRACIOUS, THE DISPENSER OF GRACE[39:49]
NOW [thus it is:] when affliction befalls man, he cries out unto Us for help; but when We bestow upon him a boon by Our grace, he says [to himself], "I have been given [all] this by virtue of [my own] wisdom!"
Nay, this [bestowal of grace] is a trial: but most of them understand it not!

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* v.49 : Lit., “knowledge” – i.e., “my prosperity is due to my own ability and shrewdness”: see the first sentence of 28:78 and the corresponding note. But whereas there this “saying” or thought is attributed to the legendary Qārūn, in the present instance – which is by far the earlier in the chronology of Qur’anic revelation – it is said to be characteristic of man as such (see, e.g., 7:189-190, where this tendency is referred to in connection with the experience of parenthood).