Surah Ali 'Imran 3:121-129 - Quran Translation Commentary

121. And¹⁵² remember when you set forth at daybreak from your household to assign to the faithful their positions for the battle. And Allah is Hearer, Knower .

122. At that time two of your groups¹⁵³ were about to show weakness, although Allah was their protector. And in Allah should the faithful put their trust.

123. And undoubtedly Allah had provided you with help in Badr¹⁵⁴ when you were contemptibly weak. So fear Allah in order that you may be thankful.

124. When you were saying to the faithful: Is it not enough that Allah should help you with three thousand angels (specially) sent down?¹⁵⁵

125. Nay, but if you observe patience and are God-fearing and (the enemy) attack you suddenly, your Lord will help you with five thousand angels, having special marks¹⁵⁶.

126. And Allah made it but a message of good tidings for you; and an assurance to your hearts; (in any case) there is no help except from Allah, the powerful, the wise¹⁵⁷.

127. (Your help) In order that he might cut off a part of those who disbelieve or overwhelm them so that they return frustrated.

128. In this matter you have no authority,¹⁵⁸ He may forgive them or He may punish them, for indeed they are wrong-doers.

129. And to Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and in the earth. He forgives whom He pleases and punishes whom He pleases¹⁵⁹. And Allah is Forgiving, most merciful.

Commentary

152. From here a review of the conditions and events of the Battle of Uhud begins. ‘Uhud’is a hill three to four miles away from Madina in the north. This battle was fought in its valley in the month of shawwal, in the year 03 A.H. (625 A.D.) The infidels of Macca had come as aggressors to launch an attack on Madina. They had camped near the Mount of Uhud. The prophet (Peace be upon him) consulted Muslims whether resistance be offered’outside Madina or from within the city. Many advised that the enemy be engaged outside the city limits, while the chief of the munafiqueen (hypocrites) Abdullah bin Ubai suggested that the fight be given from within the city. After consultation. the prophet decided to offer resistance outside the city and he set forth with an army of one thousand Muslims. Abdullah bin Ubai. however. returned with his three hundred companions. from midway because his opinion was not accepted. The Prophet was thus left with only seven hundred Muslims, and they too were mostly ill-equipped and illarmed. The prophet proceeded further and offered a fight at Uhud to the infidels, who were three thousand in number and were fully armed and well-equipped.

153. Refers to Banu Salmah of the tribe of Khazraj and Banu Haritha of the tribe of Aus. In the battle of Uhud the infidels were three thousand in number and Muslims were only one thousand. Out of this three hundred were removed by the chief of the hypocrites, Abdullah bin Ubai, who separated from the Muslims. This event adversely affected the morale of the two groups among Muslims, to which a reference has been made in this verse. Quran has taken an exception to this and has stated that in the path of Allah for Muslims the deciding authority is only Allah, therefore full trust be placed in His help.

154. The battle of Badr was fought in the month of Ramadan in 02 A.H. (624 A.D.), in which Muslims were victorious.

Vally of Qanat North Mape of the battle of Uhud Madina The Battle field The Army of the infidels The Muslim Army Vally of Aqiq, Madina Army of the infidels From where Khalid attacked Muslims The Battle fidel Archers’ hill Muslim army The mount of Uhud

“Uhad loves us and we love Uhud” (Hadith) The Mount of Uhud – There miles away from Madina The Battle was fought here in Shawwal. 03 A. H. ( 625 A.D.)

155. This thing was stated by the prophet at the time when Abdullah bin Ubai, with his three hundred companions, separated from the Muslim army. At that time to boost the morale of the Muslims, the prophet said: Is it not enough for you that in the place of these three hundred men Allah may send three thousand angels for your help?

156. This was stated by Allah in support of the Prophet that you would not be helped by three thousand angels but by five thousand angels, provided you remain steadfast and remain righteous. Accordingly this promise of Allah was fulfilled and Muslims defeated the infidels. But after inflicting the defeat, a squad of Muslims disobeyed the directions of the Prophet and engaged themselves in collecting the booty, leaving their positions, which resulted in the reversal of the Muslim army.

By the angels having marks is meant that the angels that would come for their help would be having a mark of jihad in the path of Allah and they would be sent down specifically for this purpose.

157. That is: This promise of help through the angels was a sort of glad tidings. Even if this glad tidings were not to be given, you should have known that the help and victory come from Allah only. He is the most Supreme and He may grant supremacy to whomsoever He may please. And he is Wise, therefore none of His acts are without wisdom.

158. The addressee is the Prophet. By authority here is meant the authority to decide who is liable for punishment from Allah. It means that those people who are your enemies today may not remain so after some time. It is likely that Allah may grant them the guidance of repenting and they may embrace Islam and Allah may then forgive them and it is also possible that on account of their wrongdoing they may be deprived of repenting and may become liable for Divine punishment. The hint of repentance in this verse was, subsequently came to be a reality. Accordingly these enemies of Islam who had fought in this battle against the Prophet, e:g. Abu Sufyan. Khalid bin Walid, Safwan bin Umayyah, etc. later on embraced Islam and became the supporters of the Prophet.

159. For explanation. please see Note No. 478. Surah Baqarah.