Surah Al-Adiyat 100:6
سُورَةُ العَادِيَاتِ · Meccan · Verse 6 of 11
إِنَّ ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ لِرَبِّهِۦ لَكَنُودٌۭ
Translation
man is ungrateful to his Lord––
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Worldly Mirror
Surah al-Adiyat opens with a powerful declaration about human nature, stating, "إِنَّ ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ لِرَبِّهِۦ لَكَنُودٌۭ" (Indeed, mankind is ungrateful to his Lord). This verse, spoken directly by Allah, addresses humankind (though some scholars like Ibn al-Jawzi state it refers specifically to the disbeliever, others like Sayyid Qutb and Wahba al-Zuhayli consider it a general characteristic of humanity unless transformed by faith). The immediate context describes the swift, strong charging of horses, often understood as those of warriors in Allah's cause, before turning to this statement about the human condition. The tone is a stark, almost rebuking, revelation of a deeply ingrained human tendency: ingratitude.
The Meaning of "Kanūd"
The key word here is "لَكَنُودٌ" (lakanoūd). It's more than just simple ingratitude. As Wahba al-Zuhayli explains, it signifies being "كفور بطبعه للنعمة, كثير الجحد لها" (by nature ungrateful for blessings, often denying them). Ibn al-Jawzi presents several shades of meaning, including one who "يأكل وحده, ويمنع رِفْده, ويضرب عبده" (eats alone, withholds aid, and beats his servant), or one who "يَعُدُّ المصيبات, وينسى النِّعَم" (counts misfortunes and forgets blessings). Dr. Israr Ahmad beautifully highlights this by contrasting humans with animals: an animal might sacrifice itself for its owner, who is not its creator, yet the conscious, intelligent human often fails to show gratitude to their true Creator and Sustainer. This "kanūd" nature is a deep denial of blessings and a failure to acknowledge the Giver.
A Mirror for Our Hearts
This verse holds a profound mirror for our inner selves and our interactions with the world. It reveals a tendency within us to focus on what we lack or the difficulties we face, often overlooking the countless blessings we receive daily. Sayyid Qutb eloquently describes how this ingratitude (kufraan an-ni'mah) manifests in our actions and words. It's often rooted in a deep love for wealth and worldly gain, which can make us stingy and blind us to our true purpose, as al-Munir points out, connecting it to the later verse (100:8) about the intense love of wealth. Our drive to accumulate more, hoping for greater success, often only increases our accountability, as Tazkirul Quran observes, rather than bringing true fulfillment.
A Call to Change
The Quran does not merely diagnose a problem; it offers a spiritual remedy. This verse serves as a spiritual diagnosis, inviting us to examine our hearts. Are we genuinely grateful for Allah's grace, or are we often "kanūd"? Sayyid Qutb stresses that it is faith (iman) that transforms this inherent human tendency. Faith shifts our perspectives and priorities, changing ingratitude into acknowledgment and gratitude, and stinginess into generosity. It reconnects us to a vaster, eternal reality beyond our limited worldly desires. This reflection calls us to move beyond self-centeredness and worldly pursuits, preparing instead for the ultimate accounting, as the subsequent verses of Surah al-Adiyat powerfully remind us. It is a profound invitation to self-awareness, repentance, and a conscious cultivation of gratitude and generosity.
Sources: Sayyid Qutb (Fi Zilal al-Quran), Tazkirul Quran, Israr Ahmad (Bayan ul Quran), al-Munir (Wahba al-Zuhayli), Ibn al-Jawzi (Zad al-Masir)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Al-Adiyat 100:6 is discussed in 9 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Al-Adiyat 100:6 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.