Al-Qur'an Surah Ar-Rum Verse 36

Mufti Taqi Usmani

When We give people a taste of mercy, they are happy with it, and if they are touched by an evil because of what their hands sent ahead, they are at once in despair.

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

If We give people a taste of mercy, they become prideful ˹because˺ of it. But if they are afflicted with an evil for what their hands have done, they instantly fall into despair.

Ruwwad Translation Center

When We give people a taste of mercy, they rejoice in pride. But when they are afflicted with evil because of what their hands have done, they fall into utter despair.

A. J. Arberry

And when We let men taste mercy, they rejoice in it; but if some evil befalls them for that their own hands have forwarded, behold, they despair.

Abdul Haleem

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.

Abdul Majid Daryabadi

And when We cause mankind to taste of mercy they exult thereat; then if an evil befalleth them because of that which their hands have sent forth, lo! they despair.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

When We give men a taste of Mercy, they exult thereat; and when some evil afflicts them because of what their (own) hands have sent forth, behold, they are in despair!

Abul Ala Maududi

When We make people have a taste of Our Mercy, they exult in it; and when any misfortune befalls them in consequence of their deeds, then lo and behold, they despair.

Ahmed Ali

When We give men a taste of Our benevolence they start rejoicing in it. When misfortune befalls them as a result of what they have done themselves, they begin to despair.

Ahmed Raza Khan

And when We give people the taste of mercy they rejoice at it; and if an ill fortune reaches them because of what their hands have sent ahead – thereupon they lose hope!

Ali Quli Qarai

When We let people taste [Our] mercy, they boast about it; but should an ill visit them because of what their hands have sent ahead, behold, they become despondent!

Ali Ünal

When We favor people with a taste of mercy, they rejoice in it (without thinking of Him Who bestows it). But if an evil befalls them because of what they themselves have committed, look how they lose all hope!

Amatul Rahman Omar

And when We let people enjoy Our mercy they rejoice over it. But no sooner does an evil befall them, because of their own evil deeds, then they grow despondent.

English Literal

And if We made the people taste/experience mercy, they became happy/delighted with it, and if a sin/crime (harm) hits/strikes them because (of) what their hands advanced/introduced , then they, they despair.

Faridul Haque

And when We give people the taste of mercy they rejoice at it; and if an ill fortune reaches them because of what their hands have sent ahead - thereupon they lose hope!

Hamid S. Aziz

Or, have We sent down upon them an authority so that it speaks of that which they associate with Him?

Hilali & Khan

And when We cause mankind to taste of mercy, they rejoice therein, but when some evil afflicts them because of (evil deeds and sins) that their (own) hands have sent forth, lo! They are in despair!

Maulana Mohammad Ali

So as to be ungrateful for that which We have given them. So enjoy yourselves a while -- you will soon come to know.

Mohammad Habib Shakir

And when We make people taste of mercy they rejoice in it, and if an evil befall them for what their hands have already wrought, lo! they are in despair.

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall

And when We cause mankind to taste of mercy they rejoice therein; but if an evil thing befall them as the consequence of their own deeds, lo! they are in despair!

Muhammad Sarwar

When people receive mercy, they are happy with it. However, when hardship befalls them because of their own deeds, they despair.

Qaribullah & Darwish

When We give people a taste of mercy, they rejoice in it, but when evil befalls them through the forwarding of their own hands, they become despondent.

Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

And when We cause mankind to taste of mercy, they rejoice therein; but when some evil afflicts them because of what their hands have sent forth, behold, they are in despair!

Wahiduddin Khan

When We give mankind a taste of Our blessing, they rejoice therein: but if they encounter tribulation because of their own actions -- they fall into despair.

Talal Itani

When We give people a taste of mercy, they rejoice in it. But when adversity befalls them, because of what their hands have perpetrated, they begin to despair.

Tafsir jalalayn

And when We let people, that is, [people such as] the disbelievers of Mecca and others, taste some mercy, some grace, they exult in it, an exultation of arrogance. But if some evil, some hardship, befalls them for what their own hands have sent ahead, behold! they despair, of mercy. It is in the nature of a believer to give thanks in times of grace and to hope [for mercy] from his Lord in times of hardship.

Tafseer Ibn Kathir

And when We cause mankind to taste of mercy, they rejoice therein; but when some evil afflicts them because of what their hands have sent forth, behold, they are in despair!

This is a denunciation of man for the way he is, except for those whom Allah protects and helps, for when man is given blessings, he is proud, and says;

ذَهَبَ السَّيِّيَاتُ عَنِّي إِنَّهُ لَفَرِحٌ فَخُورٌ

"Ills have departed from me." Surely, he is exultant, and boastful. (11;10)

He rejoices over himself and boasts to others, but when difficulties befall him, He despairs of ever having anything good again.

Allah says;

إِلاَّ الَّذِينَ صَبَرُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ الصَّـلِحَاتِ

Except those who show patience and do righteous good deeds.

They are patient during times of difficulty and do good deeds at times of ease.

It was reported in the Sahih;

عَجَبًا لِلْمُوْمِنِ لَا يَقْضِي اللهُ لَهُ قَضَاءً إِلاَّ كَانَ خَيْرًا لَهُ إِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ سَرَّاءُ شَكَرَ فَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَهُ وَإِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ ضَرَّاءُ صَبَرَ فَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَه

How wonderful is the affair of the believer. Allah does not decree anything for him but it is good for him. If good things happen to him, he gives thanks, and that is good for him; and if bad things happen to him, he bears that with patience, and that is good for him.