Tafsir of Al-Hadeed 57:22

{No disaster strikes upon the earth...}

"Disaster upon the earth": Such as drought and blights affecting crops and fruits. "And in yourselves": Such as illnesses and death. "{In a Book}": In the Preserved Tablet (al-Lawh). "{Before We bring it into being}": Meaning the souls or the disasters. "{Indeed, that}": That is, the ordaining of that and recording it in a Book. "{Is easy for Allah}": Even if it is difficult for the servants.

Then He explains the reason and the wisdom behind it, saying: "{In order that you do not despair... nor exult}": Meaning that when you know everything is ordained and written with Allah, your despair over what is lost and your exultation over what is gained will diminish. For whoever knows that what he possesses is inevitably destined will not let his grief become excessive when he loses it, because he has prepared his soul for that. Likewise, whoever knows that a portion of good is coming to him and that its arrival is inevitable will not let his joy become excessive when he attains it.

"{And Allah does not like everyone who is self-deluded and boastful}": Because whoever exults in a worldly share and considers himself great will become self-deluded, boastful of it, and arrogant toward people.

Note: It is recited as bima atakum (what He has given you) and atakum (what has come to you), from al-ita’ (giving) and al-ityan (coming). In the reading of Ibn Mas’ud, it is bima utitum (what you have been given).

If you ask: No one can control themselves when harm befalls them or when they attain a benefit, so as not to grieve or rejoice. I say: The intended meaning is the grief that leads one to lose patience and submission to Allah’s command, and the hope for the reward of the patient; and the exultation that causes transgression and distracts from gratitude. As for the grief that a human can hardly avoid while remaining submissive, or the joy in Allah’s blessing and acknowledging it with gratitude, there is no harm in these.

"{Those who are stingy}": This is a substitute (badal) for His saying: "Everyone who is self-deluded and boastful." It is as if He said: "He does not love those who are stingy." He means: those who exult with the exultation of transgression when they are provided with wealth and a share of the world. Because of their love for it, its preciousness to them, and its greatness in their eyes, they withhold it from the rights of Allah and are stingy with it. It does not suffice them that they are stingy, but they also incite people to stinginess, encourage them to withhold, and make it seem attractive to them. All of this is the result of their exultation and insolence when they acquire it.

"{And whoever turns away}": From the commands and prohibitions of Allah, and does not refrain from what He has forbidden regarding despair over the lost and exultation over the gained: then Allah is free of need of him. Note: It is recited as bil-bukhl (with stinginess). Nafi’ recited: Fa-innallaha al-ghani (For Allah is the Free of Need), and it is written as such in the codices of the people of Medina and the Levant.

{We have already sent Our messengers with clear evidences and sent down with them the Scripture and the balance that the people may maintain [their affairs] in justice. And We sent down iron, wherein is great military might and benefits for the people, and so that Allah may make evident those who support Him and His messengers unseen. Indeed, Allah is Powerful and Exalted in Might.}