Yunus 10:12 · Jonas · Arabic, translation, recitation

Other English translations

Abdel Haleem (Oxford)+

"When trouble befalls man he cries out to Us, whether lying on his side, sitting, or standing, but as soon as We relieve him of his trouble he goes on his way as if he had never cried out to Us to remove his trouble. In this way the deeds of such heedless people are made attractive to them."

Pickthall (classic)+

"And if misfortune touch a man he crieth unto Us, (while reclining) on his side, or sitting or standing, but when We have relieved him of the misfortune he goeth his way as though he had not cried unto Us because of a misfortune that afflicted him. Thus is what they do made (seeming) fair unto the prodigal."

Yusuf Ali (classic)+

"When trouble toucheth a man, He crieth unto Us (in all postures)- lying down on his side, or sitting, or standing. But when We have solved his trouble, he passeth on his way as if he had never cried to Us for a trouble that touched him! thus do the deeds of transgressors seem fair in their eyes!"

Tafsīr · classical commentary

Ibn Kathir

Abridged English, public domain

Man remembers Allah at Times of Adversity and forgets Him at Times of Prosperity

Allah tells us about man and how he becomes annoyed and worried when he is touched with distress.

وَإِذَا مَسَّهُ الشَّرُّ فَذُو دُعَآءٍ عَرِيضٍ

(but when evil touches him, then he has recourse to long supplications.)41:51 `Long supplications' also means many supplications. When man suffers adversity he becomes worried and anxious. So he supplicates more. He prays to Allah to lift and remove the adversity. He prays while standing, sitting or laying down. When Allah removes his adversity and lifts his distress, he turns away and becomes arrogant. He goes on as if nothing were wrong with him before.

مَرَّ كَأَن لَّمْ يَدْعُنَآ إِلَى ضُرٍّ مَّسَّهُ

(He passes on as if he had never invoked Us for a harm that touched him!) Allah then criticized and condemned those who have these qualities or act this way, so He said:

كَذلِكَ زُيِّنَ لِلْمُسْرِفِينَ مَا كَانُواْ يَعْمَلُونَ

(Thus it is made fair seeming to the wasteful that which they used to do.) But those on whom Allah has bestowed good guidance and support are an exception.

إِلاَّ الَّذِينَ صَبَرُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ الصَّـلِحَاتِ

(Except those who have patience believe and do righteous good deeds.) 11:11 The Prophet said:

«عَجَبًا (لِأَمْرِ) الْمُؤْمِنِ لَا يَقْضِي اللهُ لَهُ قَضَاءً إِلَّا كَانَ خَيْرًا لَهُ، إِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ ضَرَّاءُ فَصَبَرَ كَانَ خَيْرًا لَهُ، وَإِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ سَرَّاءُ فَشَكَرَ كَانَ خَيْرًا لَهُ، وَلَيْسَ ذَلِكَ لِأَحَدٍ إِلَّا لِلْمُؤْمِن»

(How wonderful is the case of a believer; there is good for him in everything and this is not the case with anyone except a believer. If prosperity attends him, he expresses gratitude to Allah, and that is good for him. And if adversity befalls him, he endures it patiently and that is also good for him.)

Tafsir Saʿdi

English translation, public domain

Всевышний поведал о природе человека, который начинает усердно взывать к Нему, когда его постигает болезнь или другое несчастье. Он обращается к Нему во всех положениях: стоя, сидя или лежа. Он настойчиво добивается того, чтобы Аллах избавил его от неприятностей. Но стоит Ему избавить его от беды, как он беспечно отворачивается от Него, словно несчастье никогда не постигало его, словно Аллах никогда не избавлял его от неприятностей. Разве может быть еще большая несправедливость?!! Человек просит Аллаха удовлетворить его просьбу, а когда добивается желаемого, не обращает внимание на свои обязанности перед Ним, словно он не имеет никаких обязанностей перед Ним. Это - не что иное, как обольщение сатаны, который приукрашивает в глазах людей дурные деяния, порицаемые как разумом, так и подсознанием. А обольстить ему удается только тех, кто преступает границы дозволенного.