Tafsir of Ar-Rum 30:36-37

Surah Ar-Rum (The Romans): Verses 36-37

[36] And when We let the people taste mercy, they rejoice therein. But if a misfortune befalls them because of what their hands have put forth, behold, they despair.

[37] Have they not seen that Allah extends provision for whom He wills and restricts it? Indeed in that are signs for a people who believe.

Regarding His saying: {And when We let the people taste mercy, they rejoice therein}

This verse follows the discussion of the polytheist whose association of partners with God is evident. It then addresses the one whose worship of God is only for worldly gain.

1. The Nature of Their Worship: If God grants them something, they are pleased; if He withholds it, they become angry and despair. A servant should not be like this. Rather, one should worship God in both hardship and ease.
2. Two Types of Worshipers:
   • Some worship God only in hardship, as stated: {And when a misfortune touches people, they call upon their Lord} (Ar-Rum: 33).
   • Others worship Him when He grants them blessings, as stated here: {And when We let the people taste mercy, they rejoice therein}.
3. Analogy: The first type is like one who serves out of compulsion, fearing punishment. The second is like one who serves as a hired laborer expecting a wage. Neither of these two types belongs to the steadfast ones who are registered in the ledgers of those who receive their sustenance whether there is work or not. Similarly, these two groups are not among the true believers who have their provision secured with their Lord.

A Related Issue:

The phrase {they rejoice therein} points to the lowness of their ambition and the narrowness of their vision. Their joy is focused on what has reached them, not on the One from Whom it has reached them.

• Addressing a Potential Contradiction: If someone asks, "Joy in mercy is commanded in His saying: {Say: In the bounty of Allah and in His mercy—in that let them rejoice} (Yunus: 58). Why are they blamed here for rejoicing in mercy?"
• The Answer: In the commanded verse (Yunus), they are told to rejoice in mercy as attributed to Allah (i.e., as a favor from God). Here, they rejoice in the mercy itself, as if their joy would be the same even if the rain came from a source other than God.
• Analogy of the King: If a king places a loaf of bread on the dining cloth for a prince, or orders servants to place a dish of food near him, the prince rejoices because it is from the King. If the King gives a loaf or a dish of food to a poor person without paying attention to him, the poor person rejoices simply because he received a loaf or a dish. The prince rejoices in the source; the poor person rejoices in the object itself.

Regarding His saying: {But if a misfortune befalls them because of what their hands have put forth...}

When mentioning blessings, God did not mention a cause for them, as this increases good conduct (Ihsan). When mentioning punishment, He mentioned a cause, as this confirms justice.

Regarding His saying: {behold, they despair.}

The word {إذا} (when/immediately) here signifies suddenness. It means they do not endure the hardship even for a short time, hoping that Allah might relieve them, or that He might remind them of what they have done.

Regarding His saying: {Have they not seen that Allah extends provision for whom He wills and restricts it? Indeed in that are signs for a people who believe.}

This means: Do they not know that everything originates from Allah? The truly realized person should not focus his gaze on what appears (the provision) but on the One who provides (Allah). Therefore, such a person will not experience a change in his state (of contentment); rather, he will possess constant joy. However, this is the station of the true, realized monotheist believer. That is why He said: {Indeed in that are signs for a people who believe.}

[38] So give the relative his due, and the needy, and the wayfarer. That is best for those who desire the Countenance of Allah. And it is those who will be successful.