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
وَإِذَآ أَذَقْنَا ٱلنَّاسَ رَحْمَةً مِّنۢ بَعْدِ ضَرَّآءَ مَسَّتْهُمْ إِذَا لَهُم مَّكْرٌ فِىٓ ءَايَاتِنَا ۚ قُلِ ٱللَّهُ أَسْرَعُ مَكْرًا ۚ إِنَّ رُسُلَنَا يَكْتُبُونَ مَا تَمْكُرُونَ
And when We give the people a taste of mercy after adversity has touched them, at once they conspire against Our verses. Say, "Allāh is swifter in strategy." Indeed, Our messengers [i.e., angels] record that which you conspire.
ثُمَّ بَعَثْنَا مِنۢ بَعْدِهِم مُّوسَىٰ وَهَـٰرُونَ إِلَىٰ فِرْعَوْنَ وَمَلَإِي۟هِۦ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا فَٱسْتَكْبَرُوا۟ وَكَانُوا۟ قَوْمًا مُّجْرِمِينَ
Then We sent after them Moses and Aaron to Pharaoh and his establishment with Our signs, but they behaved arrogantly and were a criminal people.
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.
وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَنظُرُ إِلَيْكَ ۚ أَفَأَنتَ تَهْدِى ٱلْعُمْىَ وَلَوْ كَانُوا۟ لَا يُبْصِرُونَ
And among them are those who look at you. But can you guide the blind although they will not [attempt to] see?