وَتَضحَكونَ وَلا تَبكونَ

And laugh and not weep.

EXPOSITION

When hearing the Quran^{‎[1]Or alternatively when hearing about the Day of Judgement (Razi, 29/287).} the polytheists used to laugh at the Prophet mockingly, whilst they should have wept in regret over what they had done and the punishment that it promised them.^{‎[2]Tabrisi, 9/278; Tabari, 27/48.}

Comparing this verse to what preceded (That it is He who makes [men] laugh, and weep (verse 43)), we realise that whilst the capability and capacity to act come from God, it is ultimately man’s own choice how he acts. Similarly, while man may not control what happens to him, he decides how he reacts to it.

INSIGHTS FROM HADITH

1. It is reported from Ibn Abbas that after these final verses of this surah were revealed, the Prophet was never seen laughing until the end of his life.^{‎[3]Suyuti, 6/131; Qurtubi, 17/124; Mizan, 19/45.} This narration is problematic because the surah is a rather early Meccan one and that means the Prophet would not have laughed ever for most of his prophethood and there is no reason to attribute such a stoic demeanour to him. In any case, if such a trait were true, it should have been more widely reported.

INSIGHTS FROM OTHER TRADITIONS

1. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.^{‎[4]Romans 12:15.}

[1] Or alternatively when hearing about the Day of Judgement (Razi, 29/287).
[2] Tabrisi, 9/278; Tabari, 27/48.
[3] Suyuti, 6/131; Qurtubi, 17/124; Mizan, 19/45.
[4] Romans 12:15.