Surah Taa-Haa (20) — Ayah 2

(Ayah 2){مَاۤ اَنْزَلْنَا عَلَيْكَ الْقُرْاٰنَ لِتَشْقٰۤى : ’’ شَقِيَ يَشْقٰي شَقَاوَةً وَ شَقَاءً‘‘} on the pattern of {’’رَضِيَ يَرْضَي‘‘} is the opposite of happiness. There are two types of happiness: worldly and of the hereafter. Similarly, there are two types of misery: worldly and of the hereafter. The misery of the hereafter is wretchedness and misfortune, as the disbelievers will say: «{ رَبَّنَا غَلَبَتْ عَلَيْنَا شِقْوَتُنَا }» [ المؤمنون : ۱۰۶ ] "Our Lord! Our misfortune overwhelmed us." Worldly misery is to be entangled in such matters that cause hardship and fatigue, as it is said {’’ فُلاَنٌ أَشْقَي مِنْ رَائِضِ مُهْرٍ ‘‘} "He is caught in more hardship and trouble than the one who trains a mare's foal." The commentators have mentioned two meanings of this verse, and both are correct. One is that after the revelation of the Qur'an, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was always concerned that everyone should become Muslim. For this, he would endure so much hardship day and night in inviting and preaching, and would be so grieved at the indifference of the disbelievers, that Allah Almighty comforted you that why do you take so much hardship and worry that you fall into distress? We have not sent down this Qur'an upon you for misery, but for your happiness. It is not your responsibility to make all people Muslims. Your task is to give advice; then whoever fears Allah will accept it, and you are not responsible for others. The mention of the Prophet's (peace be upon him) grief and sorrow over people not becoming Muslim, and Allah comforting him, is found in many verses, for example: «{ فَلَعَلَّكَ بَاخِعٌ نَّفْسَكَ عَلٰۤى اٰثَارِهِمْ اِنْ لَّمْ يُؤْمِنُوْا بِهٰذَا الْحَدِيْثِ اَسَفًا }» [ الکہف : ۶ ] "So perhaps you would kill yourself in grief over them, if they do not believe in this statement." And He said: «{ لَعَلَّكَ بَاخِعٌ نَّفْسَكَ اَلَّا يَكُوْنُوْا مُؤْمِنِيْنَ }» [ الشعراء : ۳ ] "Perhaps you would kill yourself with grief because they do not become believers." The second meaning of this verse is that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) would exert himself greatly in worship, especially in standing (in prayer), so Allah Almighty commanded moderation in this and said: «{ فَاقْرَءُوْا مَا تَيَسَّرَ مِنَ الْقُرْاٰنِ }» [ المزمل : ۲۰ ] that is, O Prophet! Stand (in prayer) as much as you easily can. For details, see the last section of Surah Al-Muzzammil.

2. 1. This means that We did not reveal the Quran so that you would grieve excessively over their disbelief and put yourself in hardship and sorrow due to their lack of faith, as is indicated in this verse. (فَلَعَلَّكَ بَاخِعٌ نَّفْسَكَ عَلٰٓي اٰثَارِهِمْ اِنْ لَّمْ يُؤْمِنُوْا بِهٰذَا الْحَدِيْثِ اَسَفًا) 18. Al-Kahf:6) So if these people do not believe in this matter, will you then destroy yourself with grief following after them? Rather, We have revealed the Quran for admonition and remembrance so that the inclination towards Our oneness, which is hidden in every human's subconscious, may become clear and manifest. Thus, here "shaqā’" is in the meaning of "‘anā’" and "ta‘ab", that is, hardship and fatigue.

2. We have not sent down this Qur’an to you so that you should be distressed [2].

[2]
One should recite only as much Quran as can be read with heartfelt joy:

That is, this Quran was not revealed so that you would take upon yourself the burden of concern for the guidance of all the worlds. Your duty is only to convey Allah’s message to the people. Then, whoever has even a little fear of Allah in his heart will surely accept the guidance of this Quran, and it will serve as a reminder for him. And those who have become fearless of Allah—if they do not accept its guidance, then you should not be distressed about this, nor should you exhaust yourself in their sorrow. The purpose of the Quran’s revelation is certainly not to put you in hardship. In some narrations, it is mentioned that in those days, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and the noble Companions ؓ used to stand at night and recite a great deal of Quran. Seeing his effort and devotion, the disbelievers used to say, “What has been revealed is the Quran; poor Muhammad ﷺ has fallen into hardship.” At that time, this verse was revealed. And the answer to the words of the disbelievers was also given: for those who fear Allah, this is not a hardship, but rather an admonition and a reminder. It is a mercy, it is light. And whoever wishes to recite as much Quran as he desires with eagerness and joy, let him recite that much. If someone recites more, he does so out of his own pleasure and desire, not considering it a burden or hardship.