قُلْ بِفَضْلِ اللَّهِ وَبِرَحْمَتِهِ فَبِذَٰلِكَ فَلْيَفْرَحُوا هُوَ خَيْرٌ مِمَّا يَجْمَعُونَ
Qul, bi-fadhlillāhi wabi-raHmatihi fabi-dhālika yafrahū huwa khayrum-mimā yajma‘ūn
In the grace of Allah and in His mercy, in that let them rejoice; it is better than that which they gather.
Sūrat Yūnus (No. 10), Āyat 58
This verse follows the verse that talks about the Holy Qur’an being a healing and a guidance and mercy for believers. Then Allah says in the above verse that it [the Qur’an] is by the grace and mercy of Allah. The guidance provided in it changed the course of humanity, and holding on to it can transform the lives of the believers. Thus they should rejoice in it, rather than in the material things that they have amassed.
To be happy about something is to appreciate it and get a positive feeling from it. Think of what makes you happy in this world. Usually it is from that which means a lot to you, that which makes you feel good and warm inside, that which leaves you with peace of mind, feeling better than you did before. Often the happiness is fleeting, and is soon replaced with negative emotions. That is because we are expecting to derive happiness from material and transient sources, sources that cannot be relied upon. To expect complete happiness from such sources is an illusion. Ultimately anything that is not from God is fickle and unreliable.
When we seek happiness from spiritual rather than material sources, our happiness is much stronger and longer lasting. We are sheltered from disappointments and let downs which sometimes come from worldly sources of happiness. Our happiness takes on a different hue, coloring our lives with inner strength and tranquility. That really is the true happiness that man keeps searching for.
Increase your joy in the Qur’an by understanding that it is God’s communication to you. Savor its beauties and depths, and take from it what you need to keep afloat in this stormy world. Appreciate it and know that nothing else is more worthy of rejoicing than God’s words to you. It is no wonder that the Holy Prophet (s) has said: Whoever has been given the Qur’an and then thinks that someone has been given better than he has, has belittled a mighty thing, and has magnified an insignificant thing. (MH, H. #16145)
Sources: Tafsīr Namune, Aytaullah Nasir Makarim Shirazi (ed).
Tafsire Noor – Aghae Muhsin Qara’ati; Mizanul Hikmah, Muhammadi Rayshahri