(83) “When We bestow favor upon man, he turns away and draws aloof; but when evil touches him, he falls into despair.”

This is human nature as such, except for those whom Allah guides. When Allah bestows blessings upon man, he rejoices in them immoderately, turns away, and distances himself from his Lord, neither thanking nor remembering Him.

“But when evil touches him,” such as illness and the like, “he falls into despair” of any good. He loses all hope in his Lord and imagines that his present condition will last forever.

As for one whom Allah has guided, he humbles himself before his Lord when blessed and gives thanks for His favor; when afflicted, he beseeches Allah, hoping that He will restore his well-being and remove his hardship. In this way, the affliction becomes easier for him to bear.