So that you do not despair over what has eluded you, nor exult over what He has given you.
“So that you do not despair over what has eluded you, nor exult over what He has given you.”
O people! That is so that you do not grieve over anything you miss out on, and so that you do not show happiness that leads to arrogance over every blessing Allah has given you. Indeed, Allah does not love anyone who is arrogant and boastful over what Allah has granted him.
The plain meaning, from Al-Mukhtasar fi at-Tafsir
لِّكَيْلَا تَأْسَوْا۟ عَلَىٰ مَا فَاتَكُمْ وَلَا تَفْرَحُوا۟ بِمَآ ءَاتَىٰكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ مُخْتَالٍ فَخُورٍ
In order that you not despair over what has eluded you and not exult in pride over what He has given you. And Allah does not like everyone self-deluded and boastful -
What does Quran 57:23 mean?
This is a purpose clause, and the sentence it belongs to starts in the verse before: no calamity strikes the earth or yourselves except that it was in a Book before We brought it about — so that you do not grieve over what escaped you or exult over what you were given. Knowing that things are written is not offered here as an explanation of events. It is offered as a way to stop being thrown by them.
Written from Al-Mukhtasar fi at-Tafsir