لَّا يَسْـَٔمُ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنُ مِن دُعَآءِ ٱلْخَيْرِ وَإِن مَّسَّهُ ٱلشَّرُّ فَيَـُٔوسٌ قَنُوطٌ 49
Translations
Man is not weary of supplication for good [things], but if evil touches him, he is hopeless and despairing.
Transliteration
Lā yasamul-insānu min duʿāʾil-khayri wa-in massahu ash-sharru fayaʾūsun qanūṭ
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the nature of human disposition: man never tires of praying for and seeking good, yet when afflicted with hardship, he becomes despondent and loses all hope. Ibn Kathir explains this reflects the human tendency toward ingratitude and impatience—quick to ask for blessings but quick to despair when tested. Al-Qurtubi notes this ayah highlights a fundamental character flaw in those who lack true faith and trust in Allah's wisdom, as believers understand that trials are temporary and serve divine purposes.
Revelation Context
Surah Fussilat is a Meccan surah revealed during a period when the Prophet faced intense opposition and rejection from the Quraysh. This ayah is part of a broader thematic discussion about human nature and the characteristics of those who reject faith. It reflects the Meccan period's emphasis on understanding human psychology and the consequences of spiritual negligence.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The greatest sin is despair of Allah's mercy' (reported by various scholars as a principle of Islamic teaching). Additionally, the hadith 'Whoever enters into despair has disbelieved in Allah's mercy' relates to the theme of qunūṭ (despair) mentioned in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to cultivate patience and trust in Allah during hardships, recognizing that despair is a spiritual disease that contradicts true faith. We should strive to maintain the same eagerness in seeking Allah's help during trials as we do in seeking His blessings, understanding that both prosperity and adversity are divine tests meant to purify our souls.
Related Ayahs
وَإِمَّا يَنزَغَنَّكَ مِنَ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنِ نَزْغٌ فَٱسْتَعِذْ بِٱللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ
And if there comes to you from Satan an evil suggestion, then seek refuge in Allāh. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Knowing.
ثُمَّ ٱسْتَوَىٰٓ إِلَى ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَهِىَ دُخَانٌ فَقَالَ لَهَا وَلِلْأَرْضِ ٱئْتِيَا طَوْعًا أَوْ كَرْهًا قَالَتَآ أَتَيْنَا طَآئِعِينَ
Then He directed Himself to the heaven while it was smoke and said to it and to the earth, "Come [into being], willingly or by compulsion." They said, "We have come willingly."
حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا مَا جَآءُوهَا شَهِدَ عَلَيْهِمْ سَمْعُهُمْ وَأَبْصَـٰرُهُمْ وَجُلُودُهُم بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ
Until, when they reach it, their hearing and their eyes and their skins will testify against them of what they used to do.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِٱلذِّكْرِ لَمَّا جَآءَهُمْ ۖ وَإِنَّهُۥ لَكِتَـٰبٌ عَزِيزٌ
Indeed, those who disbelieve in the message [i.e., the Qur’ān] after it has come to them... And indeed, it is a mighty Book.