But if We let him taste from Our Favor after distress had affected him, he will surely say: “Bad times have left me”; indeed, he becomes exultingly boastful.
Verses describe the general mentality of mankind. To become exultantly boastful during the good times and despair in the bad times is the mentality of disbelievers. The odd-believer, endowed with intelligence, always remembers Lord Allah so that he will not have any distress. He will praise the Lord with his soul: “Praise is to Lord Allah in every situation except in the state of Hell,” as explained in verses 3:190-191. Verses 41:50-51 say: “If We taste him from Our Favor after distress has affected him, he will surely say: ‘This is due to me, and I don’t think the Last Hour will occur; and if I will be returned to my Lord, indeed for me there will be with Him the best.’ But We will surely inform those who disbelieved about what they did, and We will surely make them taste an encircling punishment. And when We bestow Favor upon man, he turns away on his side instead of coming to Us; but when evil touches him, then he is involved in prolonged prayers.” Verse 17:83 says: “And when We bestow Favor upon mankind, he turns away on his side instead of coming to Us; and when evil touches him, he is ever despairing.” Read together 32:21-22. See explanation 3:14-15; 4:79; 10:12, and 21-22.