وَأَنَّهُ هُوَ أَضحَكَ وَأَبكىٰ

That it is He who makes [men] laugh, and weep.

EXPOSITION

Continuing with the notion that everything is from God, He declares that He is the cause of the events that make a person either laugh or weep.^{‎[1]Tibyan, 9/436.} This verse is also a reminder to remember God during both times. Neither joy nor sorrow should lead one to forget God, no affliction visits the earth or yourselves but it is in a book before We bring it about – that is indeed easy for Allah – so that you may not grieve for what escapes you, nor exult for what comes your way (57:22-23). In some branches of Buddhism this state of mind is known as zen, which has been popularised in western culture. The principle is sound; one must be able to control oneself and be in such a state of soul-consciousness that they do not allow worldly affairs, its celebrations, and grievances distract them from their path and purpose; men whom neither trading nor bargaining distracts from the remembrance of Allah (24:37).

Zamakhsharī and some others have argued that the verse means God has created the capacity to laugh and cry.^{‎[2]Zamakhshari, 4/428; Alusi, 14/67; Tabrisi, 9/276.} Tabatabai criticises this, saying there is no contradiction between a person being the one who laughs or weeps and God being the one who makes him laugh or weep. To perform an action and to bring it into existence are two different things. Nor does this rob a person of their choice or free will. Rather, a person chooses to laugh or cry, but this happens in lieu of the will of God.^{‎[3]Mizan, 19/49. See also Nemuneh, 22/560; Tantawi, 14/85-86.}

REVIEW OF TAFSĪR LITERATURE

It has been said that the verse refers to the hereafter where the people of paradise will laugh with joy and the people of hell will cry out of sorrow;^{‎[4]Tabrisi, 9/276; Tabari, 27/44.} or that He makes the believers laugh in paradise and cry in this world,^{‎[5]Thalabi, 9/156.} and many other opinions,^{‎[6]For some of these see for example Qurtubi, 17/117.} but it is more appropriate to consider these as simply examples of the general purport of the verse.

INSIGHTS FROM OTHER TRADITIONS

1. Surely, God will not cast away a perfect man, nor will He strengthen the evildoers, until He fills your mouth with laughing, and your lips with rejoicing.^{‎[7]Job 8:21.}
2. And Sarah said, ‘God has made me laugh. All who hear will laugh with me.’^{‎[8]Genesis 21:6.}

[1] Tibyan, 9/436.
[2] Zamakhshari, 4/428; Alusi, 14/67; Tabrisi, 9/276.
[3] Mizan, 19/49. See also Nemuneh, 22/560; Tantawi, 14/85-86.
[4] Tabrisi, 9/276; Tabari, 27/44.
[5] Thalabi, 9/156.
[6] For some of these see for example Qurtubi, 17/117.
[7] Job 8:21.
[8] Genesis 21:6.