In the previous episode, I mentioned two lessons from the verses about the Battle of Uhud. The first was that we should not speak on behalf of God or hypothesize about Him, unless we have an explicit message from Him. The second lesson was that, whether we like them or not, we humans are all going to be exposed to life events that are alternating in nature so that the secrets in our nature are revealed. Now, I would like to continue with more lessons, and as before, all of the relevant verses are included at the end of the article as a quick reference.
Third Remark
In times of comfort, it is easy for people to speak bravely, and to suggest ideas of great endeavors. When it is time to put those words into action, however, you may see the owner of those great ideas suddenly producing pretexts in order to stay out of the action. One such event took place at another time, when people were telling each other "we wish we knew what is most beloved action to God, so that we go about doing it". Then the verse (61/2) was revealed: "O you who have believed, why do you say what you do not do?" (Sahih / Tirmidhi, 3309).
So, Allah is not only warning the believers to be careful about their audacity but also discouraging them from pinpointing what is most pleasing to Him. That is, instead of worrying about what they can do in the future, they should concentrate on what they can do at the moment. Instead of discussing which action is most pleasing to Him, they should follow the guidance perceived in their hearts, without generalizing their motivations to other people.
Apparently, before the Battle of Uhud, similar talks took place regarding bravery on the way of God and facing the death thereof with courage. After the war, however, All-Hearing and All-Seeing Lord informed the believers of their status before, during and after the event.
And you had certainly wished for death [i.e., martyrdom] before you encountered it, and you have [now] seen it [before you] while you were looking on. Muhammad is not but a messenger. [Other] messengers have passed on before him. So if he was to die or be killed, would you turn back on your heels [to unbelief]? And he who turns back on his heels will never harm Allah at all; but Allah will reward the grateful. (3/143-144)
Fourth Remark
One of the hot topics after Jesus's departure from this life was the fate of the call initiated by him. Jesus pbuh had not claimed to have brought a new religion, but was a Jew. Nevertheless, he had called people to embrace the spirit of the divine message, instead of getting fixated on the words. He had also brought messages from God regarding changes and amendments to the religious laws decreed by Him before. Jesus's short stay among people and the brief duration of his mission had not transformed into a movement as it is now. So, when he passed, was all of that a nice memory to be cherished or was it a movement to be undertaken with commitment? This question was answered by Jesus himself when he re-appeared to the disciples on the Sunday after the tormenting events of crucifixion. Yes, it was a message to be spread; yes, it was a duty to be undertaken with commitment.
The same sentiments and thoughts were in the air, when it was announced during the war that prophet Muhammad was slain. This announcement had bewildered the believers, and they did not know what to do. Their personal lives, the lives of their comrades, the religion of God represented by a handful of people getting crushed by massive army of the wrongdoers, the truthfulness of Islam and the ugly nature of the oppression from the disbelievers, the promised help from God, the disappearance of the prophet... In that confusion, one of the believers finally spotted the prophet, and shouted with all his might that the prophet was alive, which acted like a touch of life. However, the trauma was real, and it needed to be dealt with. So, God made it clear for the believers that they are expected to continue to call people to truth and live it themselves, no matter what happens:
Muhammad is not but a messenger. [Other] messengers have passed on before him. So if he was to die or be killed, would you turn back on your heels [to unbelief]? And he who turns back on his heels will never harm Allah at all; but Allah will reward the grateful. (3/144)
Verses from the chapter Âl-Imran related to the Battle of Uhud:
121. And [remember] when you, [O Muhammad], left your family in the morning to post the believers at their stations for the battle [of Uhud] - and Allah is Hearing and Knowing -
122. When two parties among you were about to lose courage, but Allah was their ally; and upon Allah the believers should rely.
123. And already had Allah given you victory at [the battle of] Badr while you were few in number. Then fear Allah ; perhaps you will be grateful.
124. [Remember] when you said to the believers, "Is it not sufficient for you that your Lord should reinforce you with three thousand angels sent down?
125. Yes, if you remain patient and conscious of Allah and the enemy come upon you [attacking] in rage, your Lord will reinforce you with five thousand angels having marks [of distinction]
126. And Allah made it not except as [a sign of] good tidings for you and to reassure your hearts thereby. And victory is not except from Allah , the Exalted in Might, the Wise -
127. That He might cut down a section of the disbelievers or suppress them so that they turn back disappointed.
128. Not for you, [O Muhammad, but for Allah], is the decision whether He should [cut them down] or forgive them or punish them, for indeed, they are wrongdoers.
129. And to Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. He forgives whom He wills and punishes whom He wills. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
139. So do not weaken and do not grieve, and you will be superior if you are [true] believers.
140. If a wound should touch you - there has already touched the [opposing] people a wound similar to it. And these days [of varying conditions] We alternate among the people so that Allah may make evident those who believe and [may] take to Himself from among you martyrs - and Allah does not like the wrongdoers -
141. And that Allah may purify the believers [through trials] and destroy the disbelievers.
142. Or do you think that you will enter Paradise while Allah has not yet made evident those of you who fight in His cause and made evident those who are steadfast?
143. And you had certainly wished for death [i.e., martyrdom] before you encountered it, and you have [now] seen it [before you] while you were looking on.
144. Muhammad is not but a messenger. [Other] messengers have passed on before him. So if he was to die or be killed, would you turn back on your heels [to unbelief]? And he who turns back on his heels will never harm Allah at all; but Allah will reward the grateful.
145. And it is not [possible] for one to die except by permission of Allah at a decree determined. And whoever desires the reward of this world – We will give him thereof; and whoever desires the reward of the Hereafter – We will give him thereof. And We will reward the grateful.
146. And how many a prophet [fought and] with him fought many godly men. But they never lost assurance due to what afflicted them in the cause of Allah, nor did they weaken or submit. And Allah loves the steadfast.
147. And their words were not but that they said, "Our Lord, forgive us our sins and the excess [committed] in our affairs and plant firmly our feet and give us victory over the disbelieving people."
148. So Allah gave them the reward of this world and the good reward of the Hereafter. And Allah loves the doers of good.
149. O you who have believed, if you obey those who disbelieve, they will turn you back on your heels, and you will [then] become losers.
150. But Allah is your protector, and He is the best of helpers.
151. We will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve for what they have associated with Allah of which He had not sent down [any] authority. And their refuge will be the Fire, and wretched is the residence of the wrongdoers.
152. And Allah had certainly fulfilled His promise to you when you were killing them [i.e., the enemy] by His permission until [the time] when you lost courage and fell to disputing about the order [given by the Prophet] and disobeyed after He had shown you that which you love. Among you are some who desire this world, and among you are some who desire the Hereafter. Then He turned you back from them [defeated] that He might test you. And He has already forgiven you, and Allah is the possessor of bounty for the believers.
153. [Remember] when you [fled and] climbed [the mountain] without looking aside at anyone while the Messenger was calling you from behind. So Allah made you suffer distress upon distress so you would not grieve for that which had escaped you [of victory and spoils of war] or [for] that which had befallen you [of injury and death]. And Allah is [fully] Acquainted with what you do.
154. Then after distress, He sent down upon you security [in the form of] drowsiness, overcoming a faction of you, while another faction worried about themselves, thinking of Allah other than the truth – the thought of ignorance, saying, "Is there anything for us [to have done] in this matter?" Say,"Indeed, the matter belongs completely to Allah." They conceal within themselves what they will not reveal to you. They say, "If there was anything we could have done in the matter, we [i.e., some of us] would not have been killed right here." Say, "Even if you had been inside your houses, those decreed to be killed would have come out to their death beds." [It was] so that Allah might test what is in your breasts and purify what is in your hearts. And Allah is Knowing of that within the breasts.
155. Indeed, those of you who turned back on the day the two armies met [at Uhud] – it was Satan who caused them to slip because of some [blame] they had earned. But Allah has already forgiven them. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Forbearing.
156. O you who have believed, do not be like those who disbelieved and said about their brothers when they traveled through the land or went out to fight, "If they had been with us, they would not have died or have been killed," so Allah makes that [misconception] a regret within their hearts. And it is Allah who gives life and causes death, and Allah is Seeing of what you do.
157. And if you are killed in the cause of Allah or die – then forgiveness from Allah and mercy are better than whatever they accumulate [in this world].
158. And whether you die or are killed, unto Allah you will be gathered.
159. So by mercy from Allah, [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult them in the matter. And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah. Indeed, Allah loves those who rely [upon Him].
160. If Allah should aid you, no one can overcome you; but if He should forsake you, who is there that can aid you after Him? And upon Allah let the believers rely.
161. It is not [attributable] to any prophet that he would act unfaithfully [in regard to war booty]. And whoever betrays, [taking unlawfully], will come with what he took on the Day of Resurrection. Then will every soul be [fully] compensated for what it earned, and they will not be wronged.
162. So is one who pursues the pleasure of Allah like one who brings upon himself the anger of Allah and whose refuge is Hell? And wretched is the destination.
163. They are [varying] degrees in the sight of Allah, and Allah is Seeing of whatever they do.
164. Certainly did Allah confer [great] favor upon the believers when He sent among them a Messenger from themselves, reciting to them His verses and purifying them and teaching them the Book [i.e., the Quran] and wisdom, although they had been before in manifest error.
165. Why [is it that] when a [single] disaster struck you [on the day of Uhud], although you had struck [the enemy in the battle of Badr] with one twice as great, you said, "From where is this?" Say, "It is from yourselves [i.e., due to your sin]." Indeed, Allah is over all things competent.
166. And what struck you on the day the two armies met [at Uhud] was by permission of Allah that He might make evident the [true] believers
167. And that He might make evident those who are hypocrites. For it was said to them, "Come, fight in the way of Allah or [at least] defend." They said, "If we had known [there would be] fighting, we would have followed you." They were nearer to disbelief that day than to faith, saying with their mouths what was not in their hearts. And Allah is most knowing of what they conceal –
168. Those who said about their brothers while sitting [at home], "If they had obeyed us, they would not have been killed."Say, "Then prevent death from yourselves, if you should be truthful."
169. And never think of those who have been killed in the cause of Allah as dead. Rather, they are alive with their Lord, receiving provision,
170. Rejoicing in what Allah has bestowed upon them of His bounty, and they receive good tidings about those [to be martyred] after them who have not yet joined them – that there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.
171. They receive good tidings of favor from Allah and bounty and [of the fact] that Allah does not allow the reward of believers to be lost –
172. Those [believers] who responded to Allah and the Messenger after injury had struck them. For those who did good among them and feared Allah is a great reward –
173. Those to whom people [i.e., hypocrites] said, "Indeed, the people have gathered against you, so fear them." But it [merely] increased them in faith, and they said, "Sufficient for us is Allah, and [He is] the best Disposer of affairs."
174. So they returned with favor from Allah and bounty, no harm having touched them. And they pursued the pleasure of Allah, and Allah is the possessor of great bounty.
175. That is only Satan who frightens [you] of his supporters. So fear them not, but fear Me, if you are [indeed] believers.
176. And do not be grieved, [O Muhammad], by those who hasten into disbelief. Indeed, they will never harm Allah at all. Allah intends that He should give them no share in the Hereafter, and for them is a great punishment.
177. Indeed, those who purchase disbelief [in exchange] for faith – never will they harm Allah at all, and for them is a painful punishment.
178. And let not those who disbelieve ever think that [because] We extend their time [of enjoyment] it is better for them. We only extend it for them so that they may increase in sin, and for them is a humiliating punishment.
179. Allah would not leave the believers in that [state] you are in [presently] until He separates the evil from the good. Nor would Allah reveal to you the unseen. But [instead], Allah chooses of His messengers whom He wills, so believe in Allah and His messengers. And if you believe and fear Him, then for you is a great reward.
142. Or do you think that you will enter Paradise while Allah has not yet made evident those of you who fight in His cause and made evident those who are steadfast?
143. And you had certainly wished for death [i.e., martyrdom] before you encountered it, and you have [now] seen it [before you] while you were looking on.
144. Muhammad is not but a messenger. [Other] messengers have passed on before him. So if he was to die or be killed, would you turn back on your heels [to unbelief]? And he who turns back on his heels will never harm Allah at all; but Allah will reward the grateful.
145. And it is not [possible] for one to die except by permission of Allah at a decree determined. And whoever desires the reward of this world – We will give him thereof; and whoever desires the reward of the Hereafter – We will give him thereof. And We will reward the grateful.
146. And how many a prophet [fought and] with him fought many godly men. But they never lost assurance due to what afflicted them in the cause of Allah, nor did they weaken or submit. And Allah loves the steadfast.
147. And their words were not but that they said, "Our Lord, forgive us our sins and the excess [committed] in our affairs and plant firmly our feet and give us victory over the disbelieving people."
148. So Allah gave them the reward of this world and the good reward of the Hereafter. And Allah loves the doers of good.
149. O you who have believed, if you obey those who disbelieve, they will turn you back on your heels, and you will [then] become losers.
150. But Allah is your protector, and He is the best of helpers.
151. We will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve for what they have associated with Allah of which He had not sent down [any] authority. And their refuge will be the Fire, and wretched is the residence of the wrongdoers.
152. And Allah had certainly fulfilled His promise to you when you were killing them [i.e., the enemy] by His permission until [the time] when you lost courage and fell to disputing about the order [given by the Prophet] and disobeyed after He had shown you that which you love. Among you are some who desire this world, and among you are some who desire the Hereafter. Then He turned you back from them [defeated] that He might test you. And He has already forgiven you, and Allah is the possessor of bounty for the believers.
153. [Remember] when you [fled and] climbed [the mountain] without looking aside at anyone while the Messenger was calling you from behind. So Allah made you suffer distress upon distress so you would not grieve for that which had escaped you [of victory and spoils of war] or [for] that which had befallen you [of injury and death]. And Allah is [fully] Acquainted with what you do.
154. Then after distress, He sent down upon you security [in the form of] drowsiness, overcoming a faction of you, while another faction worried about themselves, thinking of Allah other than the truth – the thought of ignorance, saying, "Is there anything for us [to have done] in this matter?" Say,"Indeed, the matter belongs completely to Allah." They conceal within themselves what they will not reveal to you. They say, "If there was anything we could have done in the matter, we [i.e., some of us] would not have been killed right here." Say, "Even if you had been inside your houses, those decreed to be killed would have come out to their death beds." [It was] so that Allah might test what is in your breasts and purify what is in your hearts. And Allah is Knowing of that within the breasts.
155. Indeed, those of you who turned back on the day the two armies met [at Uhud] – it was Satan who caused them to slip because of some [blame] they had earned. But Allah has already forgiven them. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Forbearing.
156. O you who have believed, do not be like those who disbelieved and said about their brothers when they traveled through the land or went out to fight, "If they had been with us, they would not have died or have been killed," so Allah makes that [misconception] a regret within their hearts. And it is Allah who gives life and causes death, and Allah is Seeing of what you do.
157. And if you are killed in the cause of Allah or die – then forgiveness from Allah and mercy are better than whatever they accumulate [in this world].
158. And whether you die or are killed, unto Allah you will be gathered.
159. So by mercy from Allah, [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult them in the matter. And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah. Indeed, Allah loves those who rely [upon Him].
160. If Allah should aid you, no one can overcome you; but if He should forsake you, who is there that can aid you after Him? And upon Allah let the believers rely.
161. It is not [attributable] to any prophet that he would act unfaithfully [in regard to war booty]. And whoever betrays, [taking unlawfully], will come with what he took on the Day of Resurrection. Then will every soul be [fully] compensated for what it earned, and they will not be wronged.
162. So is one who pursues the pleasure of Allah like one who brings upon himself the anger of Allah and whose refuge is Hell? And wretched is the destination.
163. They are [varying] degrees in the sight of Allah, and Allah is Seeing of whatever they do.
164. Certainly did Allah confer [great] favor upon the believers when He sent among them a Messenger from themselves, reciting to them His verses and purifying them and teaching them the Book [i.e., the Quran] and wisdom, although they had been before in manifest error.
165. Why [is it that] when a [single] disaster struck you [on the day of Uhud], although you had struck [the enemy in the battle of Badr] with one twice as great, you said, "From where is this?" Say, "It is from yourselves [i.e., due to your sin]." Indeed, Allah is over all things competent.
166. And what struck you on the day the two armies met [at Uhud] was by permission of Allah that He might make evident the [true] believers
167. And that He might make evident those who are hypocrites. For it was said to them, "Come, fight in the way of Allah or [at least] defend." They said, "If we had known [there would be] fighting, we would have followed you." They were nearer to disbelief that day than to faith, saying with their mouths what was not in their hearts. And Allah is most knowing of what they conceal –
168. Those who said about their brothers while sitting [at home], "If they had obeyed us, they would not have been killed."Say, "Then prevent death from yourselves, if you should be truthful."
169. And never think of those who have been killed in the cause of Allah as dead. Rather, they are alive with their Lord, receiving provision,
170. Rejoicing in what Allah has bestowed upon them of His bounty, and they receive good tidings about those [to be martyred] after them who have not yet joined them – that there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.
171. They receive good tidings of favor from Allah and bounty and [of the fact] that Allah does not allow the reward of believers to be lost –
172. Those [believers] who responded to Allah and the Messenger after injury had struck them. For those who did good among them and feared Allah is a great reward –
173. Those to whom people [i.e., hypocrites] said, "Indeed, the people have gathered against you, so fear them." But it [merely] increased them in faith, and they said, "Sufficient for us is Allah, and [He is] the best Disposer of affairs."
174. So they returned with favor from Allah and bounty, no harm having touched them. And they pursued the pleasure of Allah, and Allah is the possessor of great bounty.
175. That is only Satan who frightens [you] of his supporters. So fear them not, but fear Me, if you are [indeed] believers.
176. And do not be grieved, [O Muhammad], by those who hasten into disbelief. Indeed, they will never harm Allah at all. Allah intends that He should give them no share in the Hereafter, and for them is a great punishment.
177. Indeed, those who purchase disbelief [in exchange] for faith – never will they harm Allah at all, and for them is a painful punishment.
178. And let not those who disbelieve ever think that [because] We extend their time [of enjoyment] it is better for them. We only extend it for them so that they may increase in sin, and for them is a humiliating punishment.
179. Allah would not leave the believers in that [state] you are in [presently] until He separates the evil from the good. Nor would Allah reveal to you the unseen. But [instead], Allah chooses of His messengers whom He wills, so believe in Allah and His messengers. And if you believe and fear Him, then for you is a great reward.
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