al-Farah is interpreted in three ways:
1. al-Farah is used in the sense of becoming arrogant and rebellious; as in the following verses:
Do not exult (that is, do not become arrogant and rebellious)! Indeed, Allah does not like those who exult (that is, those who become arrogant and rebellious). (al-Qasas 28:76)
Indeed, he exults (that is, becomes arrogant and rebellious). (Hūd 11:10)
This is because you used to exult on the earth without right (that is, you used to act arrogantly and rebelliously). (al-Mu'min 40:75)
2. By al-Farah, contentment (riḍā [being pleased / satisfaction / acceptance]) is intended; as in the following verses:
But they rejoiced in the worldly life (that is, they were content with the present / immediate life). But the worldly life is not, compared to the Hereafter, except [brief] enjoyment. (al-Ra'd 13:26)
Every faction rejoices in what it has (that is, is content with it). (al-Rūm 30:32)
They rejoiced in what knowledge they had (that is, they were content with the knowledge they possessed). (al-Mu'min 40:83)
3. The term al-Farah is used in the sense of joy (rejoicing) itself; as in the following verse:
And when you are on ships and they sail with them by a good wind and they rejoice therein (that is, they are glad)... (Yūnus 10:22)