Quranic theme
Rejoice
السرور
22 verses
When a new chapter of scripture descends, the hypocrites mockingly ask if it strengthened anyone's faith, but the believers receive the words with increased conviction and immediate rejoicing (9:124). The Quran frames joy not merely as an emotion, but as a spiritual response to divine favor, revelation, and ultimate victory. While material wealth prompts some to exult in the present life, the text consistently draws a contrast between this fleeting comfort and the permanent joy anchored in God's promises.
What causes believers to rejoice in this world?
Spiritual milestones and divine assistance form the core of a believer's joy. Beyond rejoicing in the revelation itself, those who were previously given the Scripture are described as rejoicing in what was revealed to the Prophet, even as opposing factions deny parts of it (13:36). This happiness extends to the physical world through the family unit, as believers are taught to pray for their spouses and offspring to be a direct source of joy, asking God to make them examples for the mindful (25:74).
The Quran also ties joy to historical events and God’s active help in the world. Following the defeat of the Byzantines, the text prophesies their future victory in a few years, declaring that on that day, "the believers will rejoice at God’s help" (30:2-5).
How does worldly exultation differ from true gladness?
The Quran draws a sharp line between believers rejoicing in faith and the misplaced satisfaction of those attached only to the material world. God distributes provision as He wills—abundantly to some and sparingly to others—yet those who revel purely in the life of this world grasp only a fleeting comfort compared to the Life to come (13:26).
This misplaced joy is notably a trait of the hypocrites. When good fortune reaches the Prophet, it grieves them, but if misfortune strikes, they claim they had taken precautions and "go away rejoicing" (9:50). Their happiness hinges on the temporary setbacks of the believers rather than any lasting spiritual foundation.
How is joy experienced in the Hereafter?
In the next life, joy transforms from a fleeting emotion into a permanent state of existence. Those who believed and performed good deeds will "delight in a Garden" (30:15). Commenting on this verse, al-Tabari notes (Tafsir al-Tabari, 20/82) that the Arabic word used for this delight signifies a profound, encompassing joy and happiness. Ibn Kathir further describes this condition in Paradise as a joy that "no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human heart has imagined" (Tafsir Ibn Kathir, 13/231).
This ultimate happiness is granted immediately to those killed in God’s way. Far from being dead, they are alive and well provided for, entirely happy with the favor God has given them (3:169-170). As al-Wahidi explains regarding their state (Al-Tafsir al-Basit, 6/171), their rejoicing (istibshar) is specifically the joy of receiving glad tidings. They look back toward the living, rejoicing that for those they have left behind who have yet to join them, there will be no fear, nor will they grieve (3:170).
Verses
All 22 verses, in mushaf order.
وَلَا تَحْسَبَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ قُتِلُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ أَمْوَٰتًۢا ۚ بَلْ أَحْيَآءٌ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ يُرْزَقُونَ
[Prophet], do not think of those who have been killed in God’s way as dead. They are alive with their Lord, well provided for,
فَرِحِينَ بِمَآ ءَاتَىٰهُمُ ٱللَّهُ مِن فَضْلِهِۦ وَيَسْتَبْشِرُونَ بِٱلَّذِينَ لَمْ يَلْحَقُوا۟ بِهِم مِّنْ خَلْفِهِمْ أَلَّا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ
happy with what God has given them of His favour; rejoicing that for those they have left behind who have yet to join them there is no fear, nor will they grieve;
إِن تُصِبْكَ حَسَنَةٌ تَسُؤْهُمْ ۖ وَإِن تُصِبْكَ مُصِيبَةٌ يَقُولُوا۟ قَدْ أَخَذْنَآ أَمْرَنَا مِن قَبْلُ وَيَتَوَلَّوا۟ وَّهُمْ فَرِحُونَ
If you [Prophet] have good fortune, it will grieve them, but if misfortune comes your way, they will say to themselves, ‘We took precautions for this,’ and go away rejoicing.
وَإِذَا مَآ أُنزِلَتْ سُورَةٌ فَمِنْهُم مَّن يَقُولُ أَيُّكُمْ زَادَتْهُ هَـٰذِهِۦٓ إِيمَـٰنًا ۚ فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ فَزَادَتْهُمْ إِيمَـٰنًا وَهُمْ يَسْتَبْشِرُونَ
When a sura is revealed, some [hypocrites] say, ‘Have any of you been strengthened in faith by it?’ It certainly does strengthen the faith of those who believe and they rejoice,
ٱللَّهُ يَبْسُطُ ٱلرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَقْدِرُ ۚ وَفَرِحُوا۟ بِٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَمَا ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَا فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ إِلَّا مَتَـٰعٌ
God gives abundantly to whoever He will, and sparingly to whoever He will- and though they may revel in the life of this world, it is but a fleeting comfort compared with the Life to come.
وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَاتَيْنَـٰهُمُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ يَفْرَحُونَ بِمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ ۖ وَمِنَ ٱلْأَحْزَابِ مَن يُنكِرُ بَعْضَهُۥ ۚ قُلْ إِنَّمَآ أُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَعْبُدَ ٱللَّهَ وَلَآ أُشْرِكَ بِهِۦٓ ۚ إِلَيْهِ أَدْعُوا۟ وَإِلَيْهِ مَـَٔابِ
Those to whom We sent the Scripture rejoice in what has been revealed to you [Prophet]; some factions deny parts of it. Say, ‘I am commanded to worship God, and not join anything with Him in worship: to Him I call [others] and to Him I shall return.’
وَٱلَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَٰجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّـٰتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ وَٱجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا
those who pray, ‘Our Lord, give us joy in our spouses and offspring. Make us good examples to those who are aware of You’.
غُلِبَتِ ٱلرُّومُ
The Byzantines have been defeated
فِىٓ أَدْنَى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَهُم مِّنۢ بَعْدِ غَلَبِهِمْ سَيَغْلِبُونَ
in a nearby land. They will reverse their defeat with a victory
فِى بِضْعِ سِنِينَ ۗ لِلَّهِ ٱلْأَمْرُ مِن قَبْلُ وَمِنۢ بَعْدُ ۚ وَيَوْمَئِذٍ يَفْرَحُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ
in a few years’ time––God is in command, first and last. On that day, the believers will rejoice
بِنَصْرِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ يَنصُرُ مَن يَشَآءُ ۖ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
at God’s help. He helps whoever He pleases: He is the Mighty, the Merciful.
فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ فَهُمْ فِى رَوْضَةٍ يُحْبَرُونَ
those who believed and did good deeds will delight in a Garden,
وَإِذَآ أَذَقْنَا ٱلنَّاسَ رَحْمَةً فَرِحُوا۟ بِهَا ۖ وَإِن تُصِبْهُمْ سَيِّئَةٌۢ بِمَا قَدَّمَتْ أَيْدِيهِمْ إِذَا هُمْ يَقْنَطُونَ
When We give people a taste of Our blessing, they rejoice, but when something bad happens to them- because of their own actions- they fall into utter despair.
ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى يُرْسِلُ ٱلرِّيَـٰحَ فَتُثِيرُ سَحَابًا فَيَبْسُطُهُۥ فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ كَيْفَ يَشَآءُ وَيَجْعَلُهُۥ كِسَفًا فَتَرَى ٱلْوَدْقَ يَخْرُجُ مِنْ خِلَـٰلِهِۦ ۖ فَإِذَآ أَصَابَ بِهِۦ مَن يَشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِۦٓ إِذَا هُمْ يَسْتَبْشِرُونَ
It is God who sends out the winds; they stir up the clouds; He spreads them over the skies as He pleases; He makes them break up and you see the rain falling from them. See how they rejoice when He makes it fall upon whichever of His servants He wishes,
وَإِن كَانُوا۟ مِن قَبْلِ أَن يُنَزَّلَ عَلَيْهِم مِّن قَبْلِهِۦ لَمُبْلِسِينَ
though before it is sent they may have lost all hope.
إِنَّ أَصْحَـٰبَ ٱلْجَنَّةِ ٱلْيَوْمَ فِى شُغُلٍ فَـٰكِهُونَ
The people of Paradise today are happily occupied-
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوا۟ رَبُّنَا ٱللَّهُ ثُمَّ ٱسْتَقَـٰمُوا۟ تَتَنَزَّلُ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ أَلَّا تَخَافُوا۟ وَلَا تَحْزَنُوا۟ وَأَبْشِرُوا۟ بِٱلْجَنَّةِ ٱلَّتِى كُنتُمْ تُوعَدُونَ
As for those who say, ‘Our Lord is God,’ and take the straight path towards Him, the angels come down to them and say, ‘Have no fear or grief, but rejoice in the good news of Paradise, which you have been promised.
ٱدْخُلُوا۟ ٱلْجَنَّةَ أَنتُمْ وَأَزْوَٰجُكُمْ تُحْبَرُونَ
‘Enter Paradise, you and your spouses: you will be filled with joy.’
فَوَقَىٰهُمُ ٱللَّهُ شَرَّ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْيَوْمِ وَلَقَّىٰهُمْ نَضْرَةً وَسُرُورًا
So God will save them from the woes of that Day, give them radiance and gladness,
وُجُوهٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ مُّسْفِرَةٌ
on that Day some faces will be beaming,
ضَاحِكَةٌ مُّسْتَبْشِرَةٌ
laughing, and rejoicing,
إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ فِىٓ أَهْلِهِۦ مَسْرُورًا
He used to live among his people well pleased.