Strain not thine eyes. (Wistfully) at what We have bestowed on some(2009) of them, nor grieve over them:(2010) but lower thy wing (in gentleness)(2011) to the believers.
2009 It may be that other people have worldly goods which worldly men envy. Do they necessarily bring happiness? Even the temporary pleasure that they may give is not unmixed with spiritual poisons, and even so, will not last. The man of God looks with wistful eyes at other things-the favour and countenance of Allah. 2010 The Prophet of Allah, in his human love and sympathy, may grieve over certain classes of people who are puffed up with false notions and callous to the Message of Allah. But he should not make himself unhappy. There is no flaw in Allah's Plan, and it must prevail. This was addressed in the first instance to Al Mustafa, but in a minor degree, it applies to all righteous men. (R). 2011 The metaphor is from a bird who lowers her wing in tender solicitude for her little ones. Cf. 1 7:24, where it is applied to "lowering the wing" to aged parents.