Ali 'Imran 3:117–177

(The likeness of that which they spend in this life of the world) He says: the likeness of what the Jews spend when they are following Judaism (is as the likeness of a biting, icy wind which smites the harvest of a people who have wronged themselves) by not giving what is due to Allah from it, (and devastateth it) ruined it; likewise, idolatry destroys one's spending just as wind destroys the harvest. (Allah wronged them not) by thwarting the benefit of their harvest and spending, (but they did wrong themselves) through disbelief and withholding what is due to Allah from the harvest.

Allah then forbade the believers from among the Helpers to speak with the Jews or divulge secrets to them, saying: (O ye who believe! Take not) the Jews (for intimates) confidants (others than your own folk) the sincere believers, (who would spare no pains to ruin you; they love to hamper you) they love for you to sin and become idolaters as they themselves have become. (Hatred is revealed by (the utterance of) their mouths) through vilification and defamation, (but that which their breasts hide is greater) but what they hide in their hearts of hatred and enmity is even greater. (We have made plain for you the revelations) the signs of their resentful envy (if you will understand) what is recited to you; it is also said that this means: We have made the revelations, i.e. the commands and prohibitions, clear so that you know what I command you.

(Lo! Ye are) O group of believers (those who love them) who love the Jews because of the ties of marriage and suckling (though they love you not) because of the Religion, (and ye believe in all the Scripture) you acknowledge all the revealed Books and messengers while they do not. (When they) the hypocrites among the Jews (fall in with you they say: We believe) in Muhammad and the Qur'an and we acknowledge that his traits and description are in our Scripture; (but when they go apart) and meet with each other (they bite their finger tips at you, for rage. Say: Perish in your rage! Lo! Allah is Aware of what is hidden in (your) breasts) He is Aware of what is in your heart of hatred and enmity.

(If a lucky chance) conquest and booty (befall you, it is evil unto them) the Jews and hypocrites do not like it, (and if disaster) drought, killing and defeat (strike you they rejoice thereat) they like it. (But if you persevere) in the face of their harm (and keep from evil) transgressing against Allah (their guile) their enmity and deeds (will never harm you. Lo! Allah is Surrounding) Allah knows (what they do) of contravention and enmity.

(And remember when thou settedst forth at daybreak from thy housefolk) when you left Medina for Uhud (to assign to the believers their positions for the battle) against their enemies, (Allah was Hearer) of your speech, (Knower) of what befell you and of your leaving the positions which were assigned to you.

(When two parties of you almost) two tribes of believers, the Banu Salamah and Banu Harithah, hid the fact that they almost (fell away) shrank away from fighting against the enemy on the Day of Uhud, (and Allah was their Protecting Friend) He preserved them and prevented them from doing so. (In Allah do believers put their trust) the believers ought to put their trust in Allah when it comes to help and conquest.

(Allah had already given you the victory at Badr) on the day of the Battle of Badr, (when ye were contemptible) few in number: 313 men. (So observe your duty to Allah) fear Allah regarding the matter of war and do not disobey the leader who is in charge of you (in order that ye may be thankful) in order that you are thankful for his help and blessing.

(And when thou didst say unto the believers) on the Day of Uhud: (Is it not sufficient for you) regarding your enemy (that your Lord should support) that your Lord should help you (you with three thousand angels sent down?) from heaven to help you.

(Nay) it is sufficient to you, (but if you persevere) in war with your Prophet, (and keep from evil) and keep from contravening and disobeying Him, (and) the people of Mecca (attack you suddenly) from the direction of Mecca, (your Lord will help you) against your enemy (with five thousand angels sweeping on) 5,000 marked angels; it is also said this means: 5,000 angels wearing turbans of wool.

(Allah ordained this) Allah mentioned this help (only as a message of good cheer for you) that you shall triumph, (and that thereby your hearts might be at rest. Victory) by means of the help of angels (cometh only from Allah, the Mighty) in His vengeance against those who do not believe in Him, (the Wise) in giving triumph and sovereignty to whomever He will; it is also said (the Wise) means: the Wise in that which befell you on the Day of Uhud.

(That He may cut off a part) He says: if He sends His help, it is only in order to kill a group (of those who disbelieve) the unbelievers of Mecca, (or overwhelm them) defeat them (so that they retire, frustrated) not having gained the upper hand or booty.

(It is no concern at all of thee (Muhammad)) repentance and punishment are not in your hands whereby you pray against those who were defeated on the Day of Uhud, the archers and others (whether He relent towards them) He says: if Allah chooses to relent towards them and forgive them (or punish them) because of their leaving their positions; (for they are evil-doers) for leaving their positions. It is also said that this was revealed about two tribes, the 'Asabah and Dhakwan, against whom the Prophet (pbuh) prayed when they killed some of his Companions.

(Unto Allah belongeth whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth) of created beings. (He forgiveth whom He will) whoever deserves to be forgiven, (and punisheth whom He will) whoever deserves to be punished. (Allah is Forgiving) of those who repent, (Merciful) towards him who dies in a state of repentance.

(O ye who believe!) i.e. Thaqif. (Devour not usury, doubling) the silver coin (and quadrupling) the appointed period for repayment. (Observe your duty to Allah) fear Allah regarding the consumption of usury, (that ye may be successful) so that you be saved from Allah's wrath and punishment.

(And ward off (from yourselves) the Fire) fear the Fire regarding the consumption of usury which was (prepared) created (for disbelievers) in Allah and in the prohibition of usury.

(And obey Allah and the messenger) concerning the prohibition of usury and its avoidance, (that ye may find mercy) in order that mercy encompasses you such that you are saved and not punished.

(And vie one with another for forgiveness from your Lord) hasten to repent of usury and from all transgressions and reach for forgiveness from your Lord, (and for a Paradise) by means of righteous works and avoidance of usury (as wide as are the heavens and the earth) if they were to be joined to each other, (prepared) created (for those who ward off (evil)) ward off disbelief, idolatry, indecencies, and the consumption of usury;

And then He showed who they were, saying: (Those who spend (of that which Allah hath given them) in ease and in adversity) He says: those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is times of comfort and in times of hardship, (those who control their wrath) those who check their anger, keeping their hot-temperedness to themselves (and are forgiving towards mankind) towards slaves; (Allah loveth the good) He loves those who are kind towards slaves and freemen.

The following was then revealed about a man from the Helpers because he stared at, touched and kissed the wife of a man from Thaqif, saying: (And those who, when they do an evil thing) a transgression (or wrong themselves) by staring at [women], touching or kissing (remember Allah) fear Allah (and implore forgiveness for their sins) repent of their sins (�-who forgiveth sins save Allah only?) the sins of he who repents (-and will not knowingly) i.e. knowing that it is a transgression against Allah (repeat (the wrong) they did).

(The reward of such will be forgiveness) of their sins (from their Lord, and Gardens beneath) beneath its trees and habitations (which rivers) of wine, water, honey and milk (flow, wherein they will abide for ever) in Paradise, never to die or leave it, (a bountiful reward for workers!) the reward of those who repent is Paradise and all that which was mentioned.

(Systems) with reward and forgiveness for those who repent and punishment and destruction for those who do not repent (have passed away before you) have passed in bygone nations. (Do but travel in the land and see) and reflect upon (the nature of the consequence) how the ultimate end was (for those who did deny) the messengers and did not repent of their disbelief.

(This is a declaration for mankind) this Qur'an shows for mankind what is lawful and unlawful, (a guidance) from error (and an admonition) a counsel and proscription (unto those who ward off (evil)) ward off disbelief, idolatry and indecencies.

Allah then comforted them about that which befell them on the Day of Uhud, saying: (Faint not) do not weaken in front of your enemies (nor grieve) about that which you missed of booty on the Day of Uhud, for Allah will reward you in the Hereafter, just as you should not grieve about the killings and wounds inflicted on you, (for ye will overcome them) the ultimate result will be yours through triumph and domination (if ye are (indeed) believers) that triumph and domination is from Allah.

(If ye have received a blow) if you were harmed on the Day of Uhud, (the (disbelieving) people) the people of Mecca (have received) on the Day of Badr (a blow) harm (the like thereof) like the harm you received on the Day of Uhud: (These are (only) the vicissitudes) the days of the life of this world (which We cause to follow one another for mankind) sometimes the believers have the upper hand over the unbelievers and sometimes it is the unbelievers who have the upper hand over the believers, (to the end that Allah may know) that He may see (those who believe) at the time of jihad (and may choose witnesses from among you) He honours whom He wills among you with martyrdom; (and Allah loveth not wrong-doers) He loves not the idolaters, their religion or their domination.

(And that Allah may prove) may forgive (those who believe) for that which befalls them in jihad, (and may blight the disbelievers) and may destroy the unbelievers in war.

(Or deemed ye) do you think, O group of believers (that you would enter Paradise) without fighting (while yet Allah knoweth not) has not seen (those of you who really strive) in the way of Allah on the Day of Uhud, (nor knoweth those (of you) who are steadfast?) has not see those who are steadfast in the fight against their enemies on the Day of Uhud.

(And verily ye used to wish for death) in war (before ye met it (in the field)) on the Day of Uhud. (Now ye have seen it) you have seen fighting and war on the Day of Uhud, (with your eyes!) you saw the swords of the unbelievers, ran away from them and did not remain unshaken with your Prophet!

When they said to the Messenger of Allah (pbuh): �O Prophet of Allah! We heard that you were killed, this is why we ran from the enemy,� Allah revealed the following: (Muhammad is but a messenger, messengers (the like of whom) have passed away before him) before him other messengers have passed away. (Will it be that, when he) Muhammad (dieth or is slain) in the way of Allah, (you will turn back on your heels?) you will return to your old religion. (He who turneth back) returns to his old religion (does no hurt to Allah) such return will not harm Allah, (and Allah will reward the thankful) He will reward the believers for their faith and jihad.

(No soul can ever die except by Allah's leave) except by Allah's will and decree (and at a term appointed) a man's lifespan and sustenance are both registered at an appointed term, and none shall take place before its due time. (Whoso desireth) with his works and jihad (the reward of the world) the benefit of this worldly life, (We bestow on him thereof) We shall give him from this worldly life what he desires but he does not have any share in the Hereafter; (and whoso desireth) with his works and jihad (the reward of the Hereafter) the benefit of the Hereafter, (We bestow on him thereof) We shall give him of the Hereafter what he desires. (We shall reward the thankful) reward the believers for their faith and jihad.

(And with how many a prophet have there been a number of devoted men who fought (beside him)) against scores of unbelievers. (They quailed not) the believers did not weaken (for aught that befell them in the way of Allah) in terms of death and injury; it is also said that this means: how many prophets were killed alongside scores of believers, but the believers did not weaken due to that which befell them in the way of Allah-the killing of their prophets-in obedience of Allah, (nor did they weaken) they did not lack strength to fight their enemies, (nor were they brought low) they did not abase themselves before their enemy; it is also said that this means: they did not surrender to their enemy. (Allah loveth the steadfast) in fighting their enemy alongside their Prophet.

(Their cry) the cry of the believers after the killing of their prophet (was only that they said: Our Lord) O our Lord! (Forgive us for our sins) sins other than the enormities (and wasted efforts) by committing grave sins, i.e. enormities, (make our foothold sure) in war, (and give us victory over the disbelieving folk).

(So Allah gave them the reward of the world) conquest and booty (and the good reward of the Hereafter) Paradise. (Allah loveth those whose deeds are good) Allah loves believers in the act of jihad.

(O ye who believe) meaning: Hudhayfa [Ibn al-Yaman] and 'Ammar [Ibn Yasir]! (If ye obey those who disbelieve) i.e. Ka'b [Ibn al-Ashraf] and his followers, (they will make you turn back on your heels) they will make you return to your old religion: disbelief, (and ye turn back as losers) duped for loosing both this worldly life and the Hereafter and also for receiving Allah's punishment.

(But Allah is your Protector) He preserves you and will make you triumphant against them, (and He is the best of helpers) He is the strongest of helpers.

Allah then mentioned the defeat of the unbelievers on the Day of Uhud, saying: (We shall cast terror) fear of you such that they run from you (into the hearts of those who disbelieve) the unbelievers of Mecca (because they ascribe unto Allah partners, for which no warrant hath been revealed) either in a Scripture nor taught by a messenger. (Their habitation) their dwelling-place (is the Fire, and hapless the abode of the wrong-doers) the dwelling-place of the unbelievers is the Fire.

Allah then mentions His promise to the believers on the Day of Uhud, saying: (Allah verily made good His promise unto you) on the Day of Uhud (when ye routed them) when you killed them at the beginning of the fight (by His leave) by His command and help, (until (the moment) when your courage failed you) to fight against the enemy, (and ye disagreed about the order) you disagreed about the question of war (and ye disobeyed) the Prophet by leaving your positions, (after He had shown you that for which ye long) victory and booty. (Some of you) some of the archers (desired the world) with their jihad and fighting. This refers to those who abandoned their positions and rushed to gather the booty, (and some of you desired the Hereafter) with their jihad and fighting. This refers to 'Abdullah Ibn Jubayr and his fellow believers who remained at their positions until they were killed. (Therefore He made you flee from them) defeated and made them triumph over you, (that He might try you) that He might test you with the archers' disobedience. (Yet now He hath forgiven you) He did not exterminate you. (Allah is a Lord of Kindness to believers) in that He did not exterminate them, i.e. the archers.

Then Allah mentioned how they turned their back on the Prophet (pbuh) because of their fear of the enemy, saying: (When ye climbed) the hill after being defeated (and paid no heed to anyone) paid no heed to the Prophet and did not wait for him, (while the messenger) Muhammad, (in your rear, was calling you (to fight)) he was behind you, O group of believers, saying: I am Allah's Messenger, stop and fight! (Therefore He rewarded you grief for (his) grief) in addition to the grief wrought upon you by Khalid Ibn al-Walid, He also inflicted on you the grief of death and defeat, (that (He might teach) you not to sorrow either for that which ye missed) of booty (or for that which befell you) and that you do not sorrow for that which befell you of deaths and injuries. (Allah is Informed of what ye do) in jihad as well as in defeat.

Allah then mentioned His blessings upon them, saying: (Then, after grief, He sent down security for you) from the enemy. (As slumber did it overcome a party of you) such that those among you who had sincerity and certitude slept, (while (the other) party, who were anxious on their own account) who were overcome with anxiousness about themselves. This refers to Mu'attib Ibn Qushayr, the hypocrite, and his fellows who were not overcome by sleep, (thought wrongly of Allah) that He would not come to the help of His Messenger and his Companions, (the thought of ignorance) as they did think of Him in the time of ignorance [before the advent of Islam]. (They said: Have we any part in the cause) any part in triumph and domination? (Say) O Muhammad: (The cause) triumph and domination (belongeth wholly to Allah) they are in the Hand of Allah. (They hide within themselves (a thought) which they reveal not unto you) for fear that they would be killed, (saying: Had we had any part in the cause we should not have been slain here. Say) to the hypocrites, O Muhammad: (Even though ye had been in your houses) in Medina, (those appointed to be slain would have gone forth to the places where they were to lie) where they were to be killed at Uhud. ((All this has been) in order that Allah might try) test (what is in your breasts) what is in the breast of the hypocrites (and prove) bring to the fore (what is in your hearts) of hypocrisy. (Allah is Aware of what is hidden in the breasts (of men)) He knows what is in people's hearts of good and evil, i.e. the hearts of hypocrites; it is also said that it refers to the hearts of the archers.

Allah then mentioned those who fled on the Day of Uhud, saying (Lo! those of you who turned back) defeated, meaning: 'Uthman Ibn 'Affan and his fellow believers (on the day when the two hosts) the hosts of Muhammad and Abu Sufyan (met, Satan alone it was who caused them to backslide) Satan enticed them to believe that Muhammad was killed and thus fled to a place about six parasangs (farasikh) from the scene. They were six people in all, (because of some of that which they have earned) because of leaving their positions. (Now Allah hath forgiven them) since He did not exterminate them. (Lo! Allah is Forgiving) of those who repented among them. (Clement) for He did not hasten their punishment.

Then Allah said to the Companions of Muhammad: (O ye who believe!) in Muhammad and the Qur'an. (Be not) in war (as those who disbelieved) in secret, i.e. 'Abdullah Ibn Ubayy and his followers who returned to Medina (and said of their brethren) the hypocrites (who went abroad in the land) who journeyed with the Companions of Muhammad (or were fighting in the field) or went with their Prophet in a fighting expedition: (If they had been (here) with us) in Medina (they would not have died) on their journey (or been killed) during the fighting expedition; (that Allah may make it) make that doubt (anguish) grief (in their hearts. Allah giveth life) on the journey (and causeth death) settlement; (and Allah is Seer of what ye do) of what you say.

(And what though ye be slain in Allah's way) O group of hypocrites (or die therein?) in your own homes while being sincere. (Surely pardon from Allah) of your sins (and mercy) by being spared punishment (are better than all that they amass) in this world of wealth.

(What though ye be slain) on a journey or in settlement (or die) in a fighting expedition, (when unto Allah you are gathered?) after you die.

(It was by the mercy of Allah that thou wert lenient with them (O Muhammad), for if thou hadst been stern) harsh in speech (and fierce of heart) coarse with them (they would have dispersed from round about thee. So pardon them) pardon your Companions for that which may ensue from them (and ask forgiveness for them) from that transgression which ensues from them (and consult with them upon the conduct of affairs) in matter of war. (And when thou art resolved) to do something, (then put your trust in Allah) to give you triumph and domination. (Lo! Allah loveth those who put their trust) in Him.

(If Allah is your helper) as on the Day of Badr (none can overcome you) none of your enemy shall overcome you, (and if He withdraw His help from you) as on the Day of Uhud, (who is there who can help you) He will make that no one overcomes your enemy? (In Allah let believers put their trust) the believers should put their trust in Allah that He will give them triumph and domination.

Then Allah mentioned their surmise about the Prophet (pbuh) that he was not going to divide any of the booty among them, and because of this they left their positions, saying: (It is not for any Prophet) it is not permissible for any prophet (to deceive) to cheat his community regarding booty; it is also possible that the meaning is: it is not permissible for a community to deceive its prophet. (Whoso deceiveth) as regards any of the booty (will bring his deceit with him) carried on his neck (on the Day of Resurrection. Then every soul will be paid in full what it hath earned) that which it has deceived and also other things; (and they will not be wronged) their good works will not be diminished and their evil deeds will not be increased.

(Is one who followth the pleasure of Allah) in taking the fifth and shunning deceit (as one who hath earned condemnation from Allah) as one who deserves Allah's wrath due to his deception, (whose habitation) i.e. the dwelling of the deceiver (is the Fire, a hapless journey's end?) where he shall end up.

(There are degrees (of grace and reprobation) with Allah) He says: those who leave deceit have different ranks with Allah in Paradise; but those who deceive will occupy different levels in hell, (and Allah is Seer of what ye do) whether it is deception or other things.

Allah then mentions his blessings on them, saying: (Allah verily hath shown grace to the believers by sending unto them a messenger) of the Children of Adam whose lineage is well known (of their own) an Arab, like them, from the tribe of the Quraysh (who reciteth unto them His revelations) the Qur'an containing commands and prohibitions, (and causeth them to grow) he purifies them by means of the attestation of Allah's divine Oneness from idolatry as well as by cleansing them from their sins, (and teacheth them the Scripture) the Qur'an (and wisdom) the lawful and the prohibited; (although before) the advent of Muhammad and the Qur'an (they were in flagrant error) they were adherents of disbelief.

He then mentioned their misfortune on the Day of Uhud, saying: (And was it so, when a disaster smote you) on the Day of Uhud, (though you had smitten (them with a disaster) twice (as great)) as you inflicted on the people of Mecca, on the Day of Badr, a disaster twice that inflicted on you on the Day of Uhud, (that ye said: How is this?) how can this befall us when we are Muslims. (Say) O Muhammad: (It is from yourselves) it is due to the transgression you committed yourselves when you left your positions. (Lo! Allah is Able to do all things) whether it is punishment or something else.

(That which befell you) of deaths and injuries, (on the day when the two armies) the army of Muhammad and that of Abu Sufyan (met, was by permission of Allah) by His will and decree; (that He might know the true believers) that He might see the believers in jihad;

(And that He might know the hypocrites) and that He might see the hypocrites, 'Abdullah Ibn Ubayy and his followers, returning to Medina, (unto whom it was said) 'Abdullah Ibn Jubayr said to them: (Come) to Uhud and (fight in the way of Allah, or defend yourselves) and your wives and children against the enemy, or increase the number of believers. (They answered: If we knew) there was (aught of fighting we would follow you) to Uhud. (On that day they were nearer disbelief than faith) or the believers; it is also said that this means: their return to disbelief and the disbelievers was closer than their return to faith and the believers. (They utter with their mouths a thing which is not in their hearts) to corroborate it. (Allah is best aware of what they hide) of disbelief and hypocrisy.

They are (Those who, while they sat at home) and refrained from jihad, (said of their brethren) the hypocrites in Medina: (If they) i.e. Muhammad and his Companions by remaining in Medina (had been guided by us they would not have been slain) in their military expedition. (Say) O Muhammad, to the hypocrites: (Then avert death from yourselves if ye are truthful) in your claim.

(Think not) consider not (of those, who are slain in the way of Allah) on the Day of Badr and Uhud, (as dead) like any other dead people. (Nay, they are living) they are like the living. (With their Lord they have provision) they are given gifts.

(Jubilant (are they) because of that which Allah hath bestowed upon them of His bounty) of His honouring, (rejoicing for the sake of those who have not joined them but are left behind:) rejoicing because their brothers who are still in this world will join them because they have been given the good news that they will (that there shall no fear come upon them) when others are struck with fear (neither shall they grieve) when others grieve.

(They rejoice because of favour from Allah) because of a reward from Allah (and kindness) and honour, (and that Allah wasteth not) thwarts not (the wage of the believers) regarding jihad, i.e. that which befalls them in the course of jihad.

Allah then mentioned their accompaniment of the Prophet (pbuh) in the lesser Badr (Badr al-Sughra), saying: (As for those who heard the call of Allah) answered Allah by obeying Him (and His messenger) by accompanying him in the lesser Badr (after the harm) on the Day of Uhud (befell them (in the fight); for such of them as do right) by accompanying the Prophet (pbuh) at the lesser Badr (and ward off (evil)) ward off contravention against Allah and disobeying the Messenger, (there is great reward) abundant reward in Paradise,

It was also revealed about them: (Those unto whom men said) said to Nu'aym Ibn Mas'ud al-Ashja'i: (Lo! the people) Abu Sufyan and his men (have gathered against you) at the Lutaymah, the latter being a market near Mecca, (therefore fear them) fear going out to fight them. (But) this only (increased the faith of them) emboldened them even more (and they cried: Allah is sufficient for us!) Allah is sufficient to give victory. (Most Excellent is He in Whom we trust!) our trust is in Allah.

(So they returned with grace) reward (and favour from Allah,) and profit from that which they traded in the market place; it is also said that this means: booty (and no harm) fighting or defeat (touched them) in going and returning. (They followed the good pleasure of Allah) by accompanying the Prophet (pbuh) at the lesser Badr, (and Allah) by driving the enemy from them (is of Infinite Bounty) favour.

(It is only the devil) the one who was scaring you with ways of the devil, i.e. Nu'aym Ibn Mas'ud. Allah called him a devil because he was a follower of Satan and his whisperings (who would make (men) fear his partisans) He says: he makes you fear his partisans: the unbelievers. (Fear them not) in your sortie; (fear Me) if you stay back, (if you are true believers) if you believe in His bringing back the dead to life.

Then Allah mentioned how the hypocrites hastened to ally themselves with the Jews, saying: (Let not their conduct grieve thee) O Muhammad, or sadden you, (who run easily) who hasten (to disbelief) the hastening of the hypocrites to ally themselves with the Jews, (for Lo! they injure Allah not at all) they will not harm Allah by hastening to join the Jews as allies. (It is Allah's will) Allah wants (to assign them) i.e. the Jews and hypocrites (no portion) no share (in the Hereafter) in Paradise, (and theirs will be an awful doom) as awful as can be.

(Those who purchase disbelief at the price of faith) those who preferred disbelief to faith: the hypocrites (harm Allah not at all) they do not harm Allah by choosing disbelief, (but theirs will be a painful doom) whose agony will spread to their hearts.