سُوْرَةُ الْفَجْرِ

Surah Al-Fajr (89) — Ayah 16

The Dawn · Meccan · Juz 30 · Page 593

وَأَمَّآ إِذَا مَا ٱبْتَلَىٰهُ فَقَدَرَ عَلَيْهِ رِزْقَهُۥ فَيَقُولُ رَبِّىٓ أَهَـٰنَنِ ﴿16﴾
But when He tries him by straitening his means of life, he says: "My Lord has humiliated me!"
وَأَمَّآ wa-ammā But
إِذَا idhā when
مَا does
ٱبْتَلَىٰهُ ib'talāhu He try him
فَقَدَرَ faqadara and restricts
عَلَيْهِ ʿalayhi for him
رِزْقَهُۥ riz'qahu his provision
فَيَقُولُ fayaqūlu then he says
رَبِّىٓ rabbī My Lord
أَهَـٰنَنِ ahānani (has) humiliated me

Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

The tafsir of this verse may be read with the following verses.

Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

16. 1. That is, when He tests by putting in hardship, then he expresses a bad opinion about Allah.

Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

16. And when He tries him and restricts his provision, he says, "My Lord has humiliated me." [12]

[12]
The Test of Increase and Decrease in Sustenance, Both Are Trials for Man:

Allah Almighty tests man in both ways: through abundance of blessings and wealth, to see whether man shows gratitude for Allah’s blessings; and through constriction of sustenance, to see whether man remains patient in such times and stays content and pleased with Allah’s decree. However, man’s values regarding wealth and property are strange and incorrect. When blessings are showered upon him, he does not consider himself to be under trial, rather he thinks that Allah is being especially kind to him these days. And when a period of hardship comes, even then he does not think that he is being tested, rather he thinks that Allah has humiliated him. In other words, in his view, the standard of honor and disgrace is only the increase or decrease of wealth and property. If someone has more wealth and property, he is considered honorable, and if he is poor, then he is considered disgraced.