Brief Verse Interpretation / Tafsir
These Quranic verses tell us that Allah decides whatever happens on earth and in our lives. This realization should give us comfort that the administration of the whole universe is in the hands of the Supreme Almighty, and our responsibility is only to lead life as we have been directed to.
Quranic Verses
22. No calamity befalls on the earth or in yourselves but is inscribed in the Book of Decrees (Al-Lauh Al-Mahfooz), before We bring it into existence. Verily, that is easy for Allah.
23. In order that you may not grieve at the things that you fail to get, nor rejoice over that which has been given to you. And Allah likes not prideful boasters.
— Quran [Surah Al-Hadid, Verses 22, 23]
Reflections from these verses
- We as Muslims should accept Allah’s Decree both as it manifests itself around us and in our lives. It should be a relief to us that we aren’t the masters of our own destiny. We are only going to be tested about whether we reacted to it as true Momins – being patient in adversity and grateful in prosperity. (See the article on Qada wal-qadar “Dealing with Life’s Challenges and Difficulties”)
- The verse helps us overcome anxiety regarding our responsibility for our life and the events that come to pass. It helps us beat depression about things not working out the way we planned them; and gives relief from anguish connected with the why of what is happening around.
- The verse also shows how fruitless it is to indulge in lengthy analysis after an event, of the various possibilities that could have materialized if an alternative course had been taken.
- We are being assured that it’s pointless to grieve about what we missed of fortune, because if it had been destined for us, we wouldn’t have missed it.
- Complaining about the situation or experience intended for us, however disagreeable, is also futile, for we couldn’t have escaped it whatever we might have done to avoid it.
- Allah in His absolute Wisdom subjects us to varying fortunes to check us so that we avoid boasting before people about what He (SWT) has favored us with. For it isn’t we who earned it by our efforts. It came our way because Allah destined it for us.
- What Allah has granted us shouldn’t make us arrogant with others. Neither should we entertain the delusion that our intelligence and efforts excelling those of others, made us worthy of our good fortune. Pride is a vice that Allah wants us to discard.
— End
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The verse tells us not to rejoice over the good things given to us which means not to be proud about it,but we can still thank Allah for the good things given to us……right?
Assalamu alakum,
Right. the moment we thank Allah we acknowledge that the good things have come from Him and Him alone. This immediately makes us humble and conscious of our dependance on Him. The word ‘rejoice’ is to be understood as feeling proud, thinking that after all we deserved what we got and believing that it will last throughout our life. That is, we should be prepared to accept whatever Allah sends to us and not be disappointed when we don’t get what we expect.
Subhanallah……Thankyou for these words of wisdom. May God give me strength to understand what He has given me and the directions I must follow to achieve it.
Truly u’r increasing us in knowledge and inspiring us as well. You are making me understand my religion all the more. Thank u so so much.
No one should think that it is of no use to try to do something (say a good thing) when everything is predetermined by Allah as apparently appeared in ayat no.22. In fact this ayat describes that Allah has the full control not only the present but also the future phenomenon. So only He has authority to predetermine what will happen in future including the present. Allah has given the power to mankind to do good as well bad. And He shows the guidance to do good. He has given the knowledge to mankind to understand what is good & what is bad (91:8). So everybody is accountable to Him for each of his thinking &
deeds (17:36, )
It does not curtail the the use of mind and will given to humans.Allah has emphasized repeatedly that He is The Master and in total control of the total creation and the Universe.The repetition is to help us to strengthen our belief and faith.No wonder Allah is Rehman and Rahim.
Infact Iqrasense is really does best. They transforms our social and spitual lives to reflect true guidance. May Allah bless them.
Barakallahu Feeh. Words of wisdom. Very informative interpretation of above verses.
JazakAllahu Khaeran Kaseera