Surah Ar-Room (30) — Ayah 36

(Ayah 36) ➊ {وَ اِذَاۤ اَذَقْنَا النَّاسَ رَحْمَةً فَرِحُوْا بِهَا …:} In this verse, the attribution of letting people taste mercy is made to Himself, that is, "when We let people taste any mercy," and the cause of adversity is declared to be the earning of their own hands, meaning their deeds. For its explanation, refer to the commentary of Surah An-Nisa, verse (79): «{ مَاۤ اَصَابَكَ مِنْ حَسَنَةٍ فَمِنَ اللّٰهِ وَ مَاۤ اَصَابَكَ مِنْ سَيِّئَةٍ فَمِنْ نَّفْسِكَ}». Similarly, for letting them taste mercy, the word {’’ اِذَاۤ ‘‘} ("when") is used, and for adversity, the word {’’ اِنْ ‘‘} ("if") is used, which denotes doubt. In this, there is an indication that adversity is very little compared to mercy. (Razi)

➋ In the verse, the ingratitude, narrow-mindedness, and faint-heartedness of man is described, that when even a little blessing from Allah's side (the tanween of {’’ رَحْمَةً ‘‘} is for indefiniteness and smallness) is granted, he becomes arrogant over it. His gait, manner, and every movement express his pride. At that time, he neither considers the Creator nor His creation, nor does he remember that this blessing is not permanent but is bound to be taken away in any case. And if, due to his own deeds, any adversity befalls him, he suddenly (immediately) becomes hopeless and loses courage, thinking that now there is no one who can remove his affliction. This is the state of the disbeliever, that in hardship he becomes despondent, and in comfort and luxury, he becomes arrogant and proud. Many those weak in faith are also like this. But the true believer's state is the opposite; when he is blessed with comfort and ease, he gives thanks to Allah, and when afflicted with hardship or difficulty, he acts with patience and endurance. (See Surah Hud: 9 to 11) Suhaib (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: [ عَجَبًا لِأَمْرِ الْمُؤْمِنِ إِنَّ أَمْرَهُ كُلَّهُ خَيْرٌ وَلَيْسَ ذَاكَ لِأَحَدٍ إِلَّا لِلْمُؤْمِنِ إِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ سَرَّاءُ شَكَرَ فَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَّهُ وَإِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ ضَرَّاءُ صَبَرَ فَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَّهُ ] [ مسلم، الزھد والرقائق، باب المؤمن أمرہ کلہ خیر : ۲۹۹۹ ] "How wonderful is the affair of the believer! For his every matter is good, and this is for no one except the believer. If happiness reaches him, he gives thanks, and that is good for him; and if adversity befalls him, he is patient, and that is also good for him."

36-1 This is the same subject that was mentioned in Surah Hud, and which is the habit of the majority of people: that in comfort they are happy, and in hardship they become hopeless. The people of faith are exempt from this. In hardship, they are patient, and in comfort, they are grateful to Allah, that is, they do righteous deeds. Thus, both conditions become a source of goodness and reward for them.

And when We let them taste mercy, they exult [40] in it; but when adversity befalls them because of what their own hands have sent forth, they fall into despair.

[40]
The Narrow-mindedness and Frivolity of Man:

In this verse, the ingratitude, narrow-mindedness, and frivolity of man are mentioned. It is man's habit that when days of prosperity come upon him, he becomes excessively elated. His appearance, gait, and speech all reveal his arrogance. At that time, he neither pays heed to his Creator nor to the creation of God, and he begins to think that he alone possessed some special qualities that granted him this comfort and luxury. Then, when bad days befall him, he again resorts to ingratitude towards Allah and begins to speak words of despair regarding Allah's mercy. In contrast, the state of a believer is entirely opposite. When days of prosperity come to him, he expresses gratitude to Allah and humbles himself before Him even more than before. And when days of hardship come, he endures this period with utmost patience and perseverance, and continues to express gratitude to Allah in every circumstance.