Anwar Al-Quran

Verses 166–173

3. Aal-i-Imraan · The Family of Imraan

Madinan200 verses

وَمَآ أَصَٰبَكُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْتَقَى ٱلْجَمْعَانِ فَبِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ وَلِيَعْلَمَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

3:166What befell you on the day when the two hosts met, was by Allah’s permission, so that He may ascertain the faithful,1

وَلِيَعْلَمَ ٱلَّذِينَ نَافَقُوا۟ ۚ وَقِيلَ لَهُمْ تَعَالَوْا۟ قَٰتِلُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ أَوِ ٱدْفَعُوا۟ ۖ قَالُوا۟ لَوْ نَعْلَمُ قِتَالًۭا لَّٱتَّبَعْنَٰكُمْ ۗ هُمْ لِلْكُفْرِ يَوْمَئِذٍ أَقْرَبُ مِنْهُمْ لِلْإِيمَٰنِ ۚ يَقُولُونَ بِأَفْوَٰهِهِم مَّا لَيْسَ فِى قُلُوبِهِمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا يَكْتُمُونَ

3:167and ascertain the hypocrites. [When] they were told: ‘Come, fight in the way of Allah, or defend [yourselves], they said, ‘If we knew any fighting, we would have surely followed you.’ That day they were nearer to unfaith than to faith. They say with their mouths what is not in their hearts, and Allah knows well whatever they conceal.2

ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوا۟ لِإِخْوَٰنِهِمْ وَقَعَدُوا۟ لَوْ أَطَاعُونَا مَا قُتِلُوا۟ ۗ قُلْ فَٱدْرَءُوا۟ عَنْ أَنفُسِكُمُ ٱلْمَوْتَ إِن كُنتُمْ صَٰدِقِينَ

3:168Those who said of their brethren, while they themselves sat back: ‘Had they obeyed us, they would not have been killed.’ Say, ‘Then keep death off from yourselves, if you are truthful.’

وَلَا تَحْسَبَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ قُتِلُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ أَمْوَٰتًۢا ۚ بَلْ أَحْيَآءٌ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ يُرْزَقُونَ

3:169Do not suppose those who were slain in the way of Allah to be dead; no, they are living and provided for near their Lord,

فَرِحِينَ بِمَآ ءَاتَىٰهُمُ ٱللَّهُ مِن فَضْلِهِۦ وَيَسْتَبْشِرُونَ بِٱلَّذِينَ لَمْ يَلْحَقُوا۟ بِهِم مِّنْ خَلْفِهِمْ أَلَّا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ

3:170exulting in what Allah has given them out of His grace, and rejoicing for those who have not yet joined them from [those left] behind them, that they will have no fear, nor will they grieve.

۞ يَسْتَبْشِرُونَ بِنِعْمَةٍۢ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَفَضْلٍۢ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُضِيعُ أَجْرَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

3:171They rejoice in Allah’s blessing and grace, and that Allah does not waste the reward of the faithful.

ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسْتَجَابُوا۟ لِلَّهِ وَٱلرَّسُولِ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَآ أَصَابَهُمُ ٱلْقَرْحُ ۚ لِلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا۟ مِنْهُمْ وَٱتَّقَوْا۟ أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ

3:172Those who responded to Allah and the Apostle [even] after they had been wounded—for those of them who have been virtuous and Godwary there shall be a great reward.

ٱلَّذِينَ قَالَ لَهُمُ ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّ ٱلنَّاسَ قَدْ جَمَعُوا۟ لَكُمْ فَٱخْشَوْهُمْ فَزَادَهُمْ إِيمَٰنًۭا وَقَالُوا۟ حَسْبُنَا ٱللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ ٱلْوَكِيلُ

3:173—Those to whom the people said, ‘All the people have gathered against you, so fear them.’ That only increased them in faith, and they said, ‘Allah is sufficient for us, and He is an excellent trustee.’3

Tafsir

Commentary on this passage

Verse 167

1.The battle of Uhud was of great importance in Islamic history and the Holy Quran has not left any aspect of the battle unexplained. The Holy Quran has stated about their perverse mentality and also announced; they had practically given the proof of their weakness and besides this Allah has announced - if you are true believers of Allah, then set off to the battlefield and fight in the way of Allah, and if you are a man of your word, then be faithful to your soul but they were not prepared to be martyred in the way of Allah. Hypocrites derived that they did not listen to them and lost their lives in the way of Allah. Allah, the Almighty replied - Do not think them as dead. They are alive and are receiving sustenance from Allah and they are fortunate to obtain Allah’s grace and mercy. They are waiting for their other companions and they have no fear nor do they grieve. Those who responded in Uhud, had no effects of their wounds and at every instance were prepared for the call of the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) and responded: we are here. When they grew aware of the size of the enemy’s army, they gave reference to Allah’s Power. They live for Allah and die for Allah. This is an example set for each and every Muslim of every period, that the past generation showed their weakness and arne to be frightened of the enemy strength. History keeps repeating itself. Allah warns: if you demonstrate your cowardice, you will face censure and regret in the hereafter. But alas! the present generation of hypocrites seek to decrease the courage of Muslims in spite of such warning. In the past, Ali (a.s.) has given reference of Allah’s strength and today too, he is the slave of Allah, the Almighty completely prepared to respond the challenge of material power by the help of Allah.

Footnotes

Explanations of words and phrases in these verses

  1. 1

    This permission is in the meaning of knowledge. Otherwise Allah can never permit the infidels that they may harm the believers. Except that permission denotes not stopping them forcibly. The result of which shall only be knowledge.

  2. 2

    It does not mean that we are ignorant of the techniques of warfare. But they meant to say that they were under the impression that there will not be a confrontation. It is only a verbal argument, that is why we did not participate in it.

  3. 3

    Returning from Ohad Abu Sufyan decided that since the Muslims were defeated they should be exterminated totally. So he decided to return to Ohad. The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) also called out to his companions. The injured warriors of Ohad became ready. Abu Sufyan tried to spread the rumour through Ibne Masood Ashjaee that Abu Sufyan had a large army and it would be difficult to face them. By chance this man told this lie to Ali (a.s.). He (a.s.) said Hasbonallaha wa Nemal wakil. (Allah is sufficient for us and most excellent is the Protector). The Almighty Allah revealed the same words in the ayat. 4. First ‘Naas’ implies people like Ibne Masood, and second ‘Naas’ stands for Abu Sufyan etc. the Almighty Allah destroyed them all.

  4. Benefit

    The word ‘Nafagoo’ indicates that they had not completely become hypocrites. Because a group of hypocrites had already retraced their steps.