(8) “When adversity touches a person, he calls upon his Lord, turning to Him. Then, when He bestows upon him a blessing from Himself, he forgets what he had previously called upon Him about and sets up rivals to Allah in order to lead others away from His path. Say, ‘Enjoy your disbelief for a little while; you are indeed one of the inhabitants of the Fire.’”

Allah Most High tells of His generosity, kindness, and beneficence toward His servant, and of His servant’s lack of gratitude. When adversity touches him—whether illness, poverty, peril at sea, or some other distress—he knows that none can save him in that situation except Allah. He therefore calls upon Him humbly, turns to Him, implores Him to remove the affliction that has befallen him, and persists in his supplication.

“Then, when Allah bestows upon him a blessing from Himself” by removing his adversity and distress, “he forgets what he had previously called upon Him about.” That is, he forgets the adversity for which he called upon Allah and carries on as though no harm had ever touched him, persisting in his polytheism.

“And sets up rivals to Allah in order to lead others away from His path.” That is, he goes astray himself and leads others astray, for leading others astray follows from being astray oneself. Thus, the cause entailing both is mentioned to indicate its necessary consequence.

“Say” to this insolent man who has exchanged Allah’s blessing for disbelief: “Enjoy your disbelief for a little while; you are indeed one of the inhabitants of the Fire.” The enjoyment you receive will be of no avail when your ultimate destination is the Fire.

“Have you considered that, if We let them enjoy themselves for years, and then there came to them what they had been promised, their past enjoyment would be of no avail to them?”