Surah Al-Fajr — Ayah 15 (89:15)

English translation (Saheeh International)

And as for man, when his Lord tries him and [thus] is generous to him and favors him, he says, "My Lord has honored me."¹

1. - He is proud rather than grateful, attributing the favor to his own merit.

Brief commentary

Because the nations Allah destroyed were blessed with power and strength, Allah explains that blessing them with such is not proof of His being pleased with them. He says: As for the human, it is in his nature that when he is tested by his Lord and He favours him by blessing him with wealth, honour and offspring, he thinks that it is because of his nobility in the eyes of Allah. He says: “My Lord has favoured me because of me being worthy of being favoured.”