قُلْ بِفَضْلِ ٱللَّهِ وَبِرَحْمَتِهِۦ فَبِذَٰلِكَ فَلْيَفْرَحُوا۟ هُوَ خَيْرٌ مِّمَّا يَجْمَعُونَ 58
Translations
Say, "In the bounty of Allāh and in His mercy - in that let them rejoice; it is better than what they accumulate."
Transliteration
Qul bifadlillahi wa birrahmatih, fa bithalika falyafrahu, huwa khayrun mimma yajmaun
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah commands the Prophet (peace be upon him) to proclaim that joy and happiness should be found in Allah's favor and mercy rather than in material accumulation. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir explain that this ayah teaches believers to recognize that divine grace and compassion are infinitely superior to worldly possessions, encouraging contentment and gratitude. The ayah redirects human desires from materialism toward spiritual fulfillment and reliance on Allah's bounties.
Revelation Context
Revealed in Mecca during a period when the Prophet and early Muslims faced material hardship and social opposition. This ayah addresses the broader Meccan context of emphasizing spiritual wealth over material concerns, reinforcing the theme that true joy comes from faith and divine favor rather than earthly accumulation.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Richness is not in abundance of possessions, but richness is contentment of the soul' (Sahih Bukhari 6446). Additionally, the Prophet emphasized: 'Look at those below you and do not look at those above you, for it is more fitting that you should not disdain the favors of Allah' (Sahih Muslim 2963), which aligns with this ayah's message about recognizing divine blessings.
Themes
Key Lesson
True happiness and fulfillment arise from recognizing and being grateful for Allah's blessings rather than from accumulating material wealth. Believers are encouraged to shift their perspective on success from external possessions to internal spiritual satisfaction and reliance on divine mercy.
Related Ayahs
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ حَقَّتْ عَلَيْهِمْ كَلِمَتُ رَبِّكَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ
Indeed, those upon whom the word [i.e., decree] of your Lord has come into effect will not believe,
۞ لِّلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا۟ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ وَزِيَادَةٌ ۖ وَلَا يَرْهَقُ وُجُوهَهُمْ قَتَرٌ وَلَا ذِلَّةٌ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلْجَنَّةِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَـٰلِدُونَ
For them who have done good is the best [reward] - and extra. No darkness will cover their faces, nor humiliation. Those are companions of Paradise; they will abide therein eternally.
قُلْ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِن كُنتُمْ فِى شَكٍّ مِّن دِينِى فَلَآ أَعْبُدُ ٱلَّذِينَ تَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَـٰكِنْ أَعْبُدُ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِى يَتَوَفَّىٰكُمْ ۖ وَأُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
Say, [O Muḥammad], "O people, if you are in doubt as to my religion - then I do not worship those which you worship besides Allāh; but I worship Allāh, who causes your death. And I have been commanded to be of the believers
قُلِ ٱنظُرُوا۟ مَاذَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ وَمَا تُغْنِى ٱلْـَٔايَـٰتُ وَٱلنُّذُرُ عَن قَوْمٍ لَّا يُؤْمِنُونَ
Say, "Observe what is in the heavens and the earth." But of no avail will be signs or warners to a people who do not believe.