Surah 39. Az-Zumar, Ayah 49

Lit., "knowledge" - i.e., "my prosperity is due to my own ability and shrewdness": see the first sentence of 28:78 and the corresponding note. But whereas there this "saying" or thought is attributed to the legendary Qarun, in the present instance - which is by far the earlier in the chronology of Qur'anic revelation - it is said to be characteristic of man as such (see, e.g., {7:189-190}, where this tendency is referred to in connection with the experience of parenthood).

Cf. xxxviii. 78, and n . 3408. Prosperity may be a trial as much as adversity.

Cf. xxxix. 8 above.

Cf. xxx. 33 and n. 3545.