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The second story in Surah Al-Kahf is about two friends. One blessed with abundance.

Allah Most High says:

وَٱضْرِبْ لَهُم مَّثَلًۭا رَّجُلَيْنِ جَعَلْنَا لِأَحَدِهِمَا جَنَّتَيْنِ مِنْ أَعْنَـٰبٍۢ وَحَفَفْنَـٰهُمَا بِنَخْلٍۢ وَجَعَلْنَا بَيْنَهُمَا زَرْعًۭا

كِلْتَا ٱلْجَنَّتَيْنِ ءَاتَتْ أُكُلَهَا وَلَمْ تَظْلِم مِّنْهُ شَيْـًۭٔا ۚ وَفَجَّرْنَا خِلَـٰلَهُمَا نَهَرًۭا

Tell them the parable of two men: for one of them We made two gardens of grape vines, surrounded them with date palms and put corn fields in between; [18:32] Both gardens yielded fruit and did not fail in any way; We made a streamflow through them[18:33]

The friend less fortunate but rich in faith

لَّـٰكِنَّا۠ هُوَ ٱللَّهُ رَبِّى وَلَآ أُشْرِكُ بِرَبِّىٓ أَحَدًۭا

But, for me, He is God, my Lord, and I will never set up any partner with Him [18:38]

إِن تَرَنِ أَنَا۠ أَقَلَّ مِنكَ مَالًۭا وَوَلَدًۭا

Although you see I have less wealth and offspring than you [18:39]

The wealthy friend, Instead of being humble and grateful for what Allah had given him, was boastful, and as a result, his blessings were removed.

وَأُحِيطَ بِثَمَرِهِۦ فَأَصْبَحَ يُقَلِّبُ كَفَّيْهِ عَلَىٰ مَآ أَنفَقَ فِيهَا وَهِىَ خَاوِيَةٌ عَلَىٰ عُرُوشِهَا وَيَقُولُ يَـٰلَيْتَنِى لَمْ أُشْرِكْ بِرَبِّىٓ أَحَدًۭا

And so it was; his fruit was completely destroyed, and there he was, wringing his hands over what he had invested in, as it drooped on its trellises, and saying, ‘I wish I had not set up any partner to my Lord’ [18:42]

The interesting part about this verse is that the man regrets associating partners with Allah, even though there is no explicit idol worship. This teaches us that feeling entitled to our gifts can lead to a false sense of self-reliance. When we attribute blessings to our own efforts and capabilities rather than to the One who bestowed them upon us, we risk falling into a subtle form of shirk.

How often do we feel entitled to our successes? The many ‘I’s’ in our lives – ‘I got the job,’ ‘I studied hard,’ ‘I worked for it’ – when in reality, it is by Allah’s will that any of it is possible.

Who are we even without the mercy of ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ ?

Peace & blessings upon the Nabi of Allah.