Al-W¥^idÏ's Asb¥b al-Nuz‰l - The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies ...

Chapter 3: Surah Al ‘Imran
(Faint not nor grieve…) [3:139].
Said Ibn ‘Abbas: “The Companions of the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give him peace, were
defeated at the Battle of Uhud. As they were in this situation, Khalid ibn al-Walid came forward leading
a group of horsemen from the idolaters intending to climb over the hill to gain position of height over
the Muslims. When he saw what was happening, the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give him
peace, said: ‘O Allah! Make that they are not above us. O Allah! We have no strength or might except
through You. O Allah! No one worships You in this land except this group’. Allah then revealed these
verses. A group of Muslim marksmen took the initiative, climbed the hill and targeted the horses of the
idolaters until they defeated them, hence His saying (for ye will overcome them…)”. 42
(If ye have received a blow, the (disbelieving) people have received a blow the like thereof)
[3:140].
Said Rashid ibn Sa‘d: “When the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give him peace, returned from
Uhud, sad and dejected, women whose husbands and sons were killed went to him crying and slapping
their faces. Seeing this, the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give him peace, exclaimed: ‘Is this
how Your Messenger is treated’ And Allah, exalted is He, revealed this verse (If ye have received a blow,
the (disbelieving) people have received a blow the like thereof)”.
(Muhammad is but a messenger, messengers (the like of whom) have passed away before
him) [3:144].
Said ‘Atiyyah al-‘Awfi: “In the Battle of Uhud, people ran away and some of them said: ‘Muhammad has
been killed, why not surrender to them, they are your brothers after all’ But some said: ‘If Muhammad
is killed, why do you not continue what your Prophet was doing until you join him’ Allah, exalted is
He, then revealed (Muhammad is but a messenger, messengers (the like of whom) have passed away before
him) up to His saying (And with how many a prophet have there been a number of devoted men who fought
(beside him). They quailed not for aught that befell them in the way of Allah, nor did they weaken… So Allah
gave them the reward of the world…)”.
(We shall cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve) [3:151].
Said al-Sudd: “After Uhud, Abu Sufyan and the idolaters headed toward Mecca. But after they traversed
a certain distance, they felt regret, saying: ‘Evil is that which we have done! We massacred them such that
none of them remained except those who fled from the battlefield and then we left them alone. Go back
and exterminate them’. But when they decided to do so, Allah, exalted is He, cast terror in their hearts
which made them decide against what they had resolved to do. Allah, exalted is He, then revealed this
verse”. 43
(Allah verily made good His promise unto you…) [3:152].
Said Muhammad ibn Ka‘b al-Qurazi: “When the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give him
peace, returned to Medina after that with which they were afflicted at Uhud, some of his Companions
said: ‘From whence did this come to us when Allah has promised us victory’ And so Allah, exalted is
He, revealed this verse (Allah verily made good His promise unto you) up to His saying (Some of you de-
42
Tabari, :103; Durr, :330.
43
Tabari, 2:83; Tabari, :124.
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