3: The Family of Amran (Āl Imran)
Revealed at Madinah
The name of this chapter is taken from the mention of ‘Imrān in v. 33, who is Amran of the Bible, the father of Moses and Aaron. It deals with the departure of prophethood from the Mosaic dispensation. It opens with a rule of interpretation for Divine books, which is that any allegorical statement must be interpreted so as not to contradict the clear principles laid down by Divine revelation. This is a preliminary to a discussion of Christian doctrines, which are based on wrong interpretations of certain allegorical statements. The chapter then deals with: the last Divine elect of the Israelites, including Jesus, after whom the spiritual kingdom was granted to the Muslims, religious controversy with the Jews and Christians, and their opposition to Islam, testimony to the truth of Islam in previous scriptures, the need for Muslim unity, the need for Muslims to show perseverance in suffering as in the battle of Uhud, and how they will triumph in the end after their struggles. Almost the entire chapter was revealed in 3 A.H.
Section 1 (Verses 3:1–3:9): Rule of Interpretation
3:2
اللّٰہُ لَاۤ اِلٰہَ اِلَّا ہُوَ ۙ الۡحَیُّ الۡقَیُّوۡمُ ؕ﴿۲﴾
Allah, (there is) no god but He, the Ever-living, the Self-subsisting, by Whom all subsist.
As this chapter controverts Christian doctrines, it fittingly opens with two attributes of the Divine Being, the Ever-living and the Self-subsisting, which refute the doctrine of the divinity of Jesus Christ. The statement that there is no god but He contains an ideal expression of the religion of Islam in four words.
3:3
نَزَّلَ عَلَیۡکَ الۡکِتٰبَ بِالۡحَقِّ مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَیۡنَ یَدَیۡہِ وَ اَنۡزَلَ التَّوۡرٰىۃَ وَ الۡاِنۡجِیۡلَ ۙ﴿۳﴾
He has revealed to you the Book with truth, verifying what is (already) before it, and He revealed the Torah and the Gospel
“With truth” signifies that the Quran was revealed suitably to the requirements of wisdom and justice, and to the exigencies of the case; in other words, it was revealed at a time when revelation was sorely needed by humanity.
3:4
مِنۡ قَبۡلُ ہُدًی لِّلنَّاسِ وَ اَنۡزَلَ الۡفُرۡقَانَ ۬ؕ اِنَّ الَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوۡا بِاٰیٰتِ اللّٰہِ لَہُمۡ عَذَابٌ شَدِیۡدٌ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ عَزِیۡزٌ ذُو انۡتِقَامٍ ﴿۴﴾
before, a guidance for the people, and He sent the Criterion. Those who disbelieve in the messages of Allah — for them is a severe punishment. And Allah is Mighty, the Lord of retribution.
The Torah and the Gospel were undoubtedly a guidance before the Quran; but even as they now exist, they afford guidance in many respects with a mixture of error, and contain numerous prophecies fulfilled in the advent of Prophet Muhammad.
3:5
اِنَّ اللّٰہَ لَا یَخۡفٰی عَلَیۡہِ شَیۡءٌ فِی الۡاَرۡضِ وَ لَا فِی السَّمَآءِ ؕ﴿۵﴾
Surely nothing in the earth or in the heaven is hidden from Allah.
3:6
ہُوَ الَّذِیۡ یُصَوِّرُکُمۡ فِی الۡاَرۡحَامِ کَیۡفَ یَشَآءُ ؕ لَاۤ اِلٰہَ اِلَّا ہُوَ الۡعَزِیۡزُ الۡحَکِیۡمُ ﴿۶﴾
He it is Who shapes you in the wombs as He pleases. There is no god but He, the Mighty, the Wise.
3:7
ہُوَ الَّذِیۡۤ اَنۡزَلَ عَلَیۡکَ الۡکِتٰبَ مِنۡہُ اٰیٰتٌ مُّحۡکَمٰتٌ ہُنَّ اُمُّ الۡکِتٰبِ وَ اُخَرُ مُتَشٰبِہٰتٌ ؕ فَاَمَّا الَّذِیۡنَ فِیۡ قُلُوۡبِہِمۡ زَیۡغٌ فَیَتَّبِعُوۡنَ مَا تَشَابَہَ مِنۡہُ ابۡتِغَآءَ الۡفِتۡنَۃِ وَ ابۡتِغَآءَ تَاۡوِیۡلِہٖ ۚ وَ مَا یَعۡلَمُ تَاۡوِیۡلَہٗۤ اِلَّا اللّٰہُ ۘؔ وَ الرّٰسِخُوۡنَ فِی الۡعِلۡمِ یَقُوۡلُوۡنَ اٰمَنَّا بِہٖ ۙ کُلٌّ مِّنۡ عِنۡدِ رَبِّنَا ۚ وَ مَا یَذَّکَّرُ اِلَّاۤ اُولُوا الۡاَلۡبَابِ ﴿۷﴾
He it is Who has revealed the Book to you; some of its verses are decisive — they are the basis of the Book — and others are allegorical. Then those in whose hearts is perversity follow the part of it which is allegorical, seeking to mislead, and seeking to give it (their own) interpretation. And none knows its interpretation except Allah, and those firmly rooted in knowledge. They say: We believe in it, it is all from our Lord. And none are mindful except those who have understanding.
The Quran establishes certain principles in clear words which are to be taken as the basis, while there are statements made in allegorical words or susceptible to different meanings, the interpretation of which must be in consonance with the other parts and the spirit of the Book. When a certain principle is laid down in unmistakable words, any statement carrying a doubtful significance, or one which is apparently opposed to that principle, must be interpreted subject to the principle enunciated. The subject is appropriately dealt with here as a prelude to a controversy with the Christians, who attribute divinity to Jesus on the basis of certain ambiguous words or allegorical statements, without heeding the fundamental principles established by the earlier prophets.
3:8
رَبَّنَا لَا تُزِغۡ قُلُوۡبَنَا بَعۡدَ اِذۡ ہَدَیۡتَنَا وَ ہَبۡ لَنَا مِنۡ لَّدُنۡکَ رَحۡمَۃً ۚ اِنَّکَ اَنۡتَ الۡوَہَّابُ ﴿۸﴾
Our Lord, do not make our hearts to deviate after You have guided us and grant us mercy from Yourself; surely You are the most liberal Giver.
3:9
رَبَّنَاۤ اِنَّکَ جَامِعُ النَّاسِ لِیَوۡمٍ لَّا رَیۡبَ فِیۡہِ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ لَا یُخۡلِفُ الۡمِیۡعَادَ ٪﴿۹﴾
Our Lord, surely You are the Gatherer of people on a day about which there is no doubt. Surely Allah will not fail in (His) promise.
Section 2 (Verses 3:10–3:20): Unity of God as Basis of all Religions
3:10
اِنَّ الَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوۡا لَنۡ تُغۡنِیَ عَنۡہُمۡ اَمۡوَالُہُمۡ وَ لَاۤ اَوۡلَادُہُمۡ مِّنَ اللّٰہِ شَیۡئًا ؕ وَ اُولٰٓئِکَ ہُمۡ وَقُوۡدُ النَّارِ ﴿ۙ۱۰﴾
Those who disbelieve, neither their wealth nor their children will avail them at all against Allah. And they will be fuel for fire —
3:11
کَدَاۡبِ اٰلِ فِرۡعَوۡنَ ۙ وَ الَّذِیۡنَ مِنۡ قَبۡلِہِمۡ ؕ کَذَّبُوۡا بِاٰیٰتِنَا ۚ فَاَخَذَہُمُ اللّٰہُ بِذُنُوۡبِہِمۡ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ شَدِیۡدُ الۡعِقَابِ ﴿۱۱﴾
as was the case of the people of Pharaoh, and those before them! They rejected Our messages, so Allah destroyed them on account of their sins. And Allah is Severe in retribution.
3:12
قُلۡ لِّلَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوۡا سَتُغۡلَبُوۡنَ وَ تُحۡشَرُوۡنَ اِلٰی جَہَنَّمَ ؕ وَ بِئۡسَ الۡمِہَادُ ﴿۱۲﴾
Say to those who disbelieve: You will be defeated, and driven together to hell; and evil is the resting-place.
This is one of the passages in which the punishment of this life, which is defeat, is spoken of in the same breath with the punishment of the Hereafter, which is hell.
3:13
قَدۡ کَانَ لَکُمۡ اٰیَۃٌ فِیۡ فِئَتَیۡنِ الۡتَقَتَا ؕ فِئَۃٌ تُقَاتِلُ فِیۡ سَبِیۡلِ اللّٰہِ وَ اُخۡرٰی کَافِرَۃٌ یَّرَوۡنَہُمۡ مِّثۡلَیۡہِمۡ رَاۡیَ الۡعَیۡنِ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ یُؤَیِّدُ بِنَصۡرِہٖ مَنۡ یَّشَآءُ ؕ اِنَّ فِیۡ ذٰلِکَ لَعِبۡرَۃً لِّاُولِی الۡاَبۡصَارِ ﴿۱۳﴾
Indeed there was a sign for you in the two armies (which) met together in encounter — one party fighting in the way of Allah and the other disbelieving, whom they saw twice as many as themselves with the sight of the eye. And Allah strengthens with His aid whom He pleases. There is surely a lesson in this for those who have eyes.
The reference here is to the battle of Badr. The actual strength of the two parties was: Quraish about 1000, Muslims 313. The Muslims saw the disbelievers to be twice as many as themselves, and therefore they appeared fewer in their eyes as compared with their actual numbers. The battle of Badr is here stated to be a sign of the truth of the Holy Prophet, not only because of the prophecies of victory contained in the Quran, but also because of the clear prophecy in the Bible in the book of Isaiah, 21:13–17. It speaks of future events in the land of Arabia, which clearly came to pass in the emigration of the Muslims to Madinah and the defeat, one year later, of the army of the Quraish.
3:14
زُیِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ حُبُّ الشَّہَوٰتِ مِنَ النِّسَآءِ وَ الۡبَنِیۡنَ وَ الۡقَنَاطِیۡرِ الۡمُقَنۡطَرَۃِ مِنَ الذَّہَبِ وَ الۡفِضَّۃِ وَ الۡخَیۡلِ الۡمُسَوَّمَۃِ وَ الۡاَنۡعَامِ وَ الۡحَرۡثِ ؕ ذٰلِکَ مَتَاعُ الۡحَیٰوۃِ الدُّنۡیَا ۚ وَ اللّٰہُ عِنۡدَہٗ حُسۡنُ الۡمَاٰبِ ﴿۱۴﴾
The love of desires is made attractive to people — of women and sons and hoarded treasures of gold and silver and well-bred horses and cattle and crop produce. This is the provision of the life of this world. And Allah — with Him is the good goal (of life).
3:15
قُلۡ اَؤُنَبِّئُکُمۡ بِخَیۡرٍ مِّنۡ ذٰلِکُمۡ ؕ لِلَّذِیۡنَ اتَّقَوۡا عِنۡدَ رَبِّہِمۡ جَنّٰتٌ تَجۡرِیۡ مِنۡ تَحۡتِہَا الۡاَنۡہٰرُ خٰلِدِیۡنَ فِیۡہَا وَ اَزۡوَاجٌ مُّطَہَّرَۃٌ وَّ رِضۡوَانٌ مِّنَ اللّٰہِ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ بَصِیۡرٌۢ بِالۡعِبَادِ ﴿ۚ۱۵﴾
Say: Shall I tell you of what is better than these? For those who guard against evil are Gardens with their Lord, in which rivers flow, to abide in them, and pure companions and Allah’s goodly pleasure. And Allah is Seer of the servants.
For the companions in paradise see 2:25 footnote 3. Among the blessings of paradise is Allah’s goodly pleasure, which is elsewhere said to be the greatest of all the blessings of paradise (9:72). The addition of this word here shows that the blessings of paradise are spiritual.
3:16
اَلَّذِیۡنَ یَقُوۡلُوۡنَ رَبَّنَاۤ اِنَّنَاۤ اٰمَنَّا فَاغۡفِرۡ لَنَا ذُنُوۡبَنَا وَ قِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ ﴿ۚ۱۶﴾
Those who say: Our Lord, we believe, so forgive our sins and save us from the punishment of the fire.
3:17
اَلصّٰبِرِیۡنَ وَ الصّٰدِقِیۡنَ وَ الۡقٰنِتِیۡنَ وَ الۡمُنۡفِقِیۡنَ وَ الۡمُسۡتَغۡفِرِیۡنَ بِالۡاَسۡحَارِ ﴿۱۷﴾
The patient and the truthful and the obedient and those who spend (on good works) and those who ask Divine protection in the morning times.
Seeking of Divine protection (istighfār) is really a prayer to attain to sinlessness. The righteous servants of God are here spoken of as possessing the great qualifications of steadfastness, truthfulness, obedience to God, spending in Allah’s way, and finally as resorting to istighfār or Divine protection, which shows that it is one of the highest stages to which the spiritual pilgrim aspires.
3:18
شَہِدَ اللّٰہُ اَنَّہٗ لَاۤ اِلٰہَ اِلَّا ہُوَ ۙ وَ الۡمَلٰٓئِکَۃُ وَ اُولُوا الۡعِلۡمِ قَآئِمًۢا بِالۡقِسۡطِ ؕ لَاۤ اِلٰہَ اِلَّا ہُوَ الۡعَزِیۡزُ الۡحَکِیۡمُ ﴿ؕ۱۸﴾
Allah bears witness that there is no god but He, and (so do) the angels and those possessed of knowledge, maintaining justice. There is no god but He, the Mighty, the Wise.
Allah bears witness to His Unity through nature, which is His handiwork, and also by His word made known through revelation. The angels bear witness by their working within man, whose nature bears testimony to Divine Unity. Those who have a true knowledge of the holy scriptures of any religion also bear testimony to the great truth of the Unity of Allah. The Unity of Allah is, in fact, the common principle which is recognized by all religions. The words maintaining justice most likely qualify those possessed of knowledge, the meaning being that every possessor of knowledge, to whatever religion he may belong, bears witness to the grand truth of Divine Unity if he maintains justice in bearing witness.
3:19
اِنَّ الدِّیۡنَ عِنۡدَ اللّٰہِ الۡاِسۡلَامُ ۟ وَ مَا اخۡتَلَفَ الَّذِیۡنَ اُوۡتُوا الۡکِتٰبَ اِلَّا مِنۡۢ بَعۡدِ مَا جَآءَہُمُ الۡعِلۡمُ بَغۡیًۢا بَیۡنَہُمۡ ؕ وَ مَنۡ یَّکۡفُرۡ بِاٰیٰتِ اللّٰہِ فَاِنَّ اللّٰہَ سَرِیۡعُ الۡحِسَابِ ﴿۱۹﴾
Surely the (true) religion with Allah is Islam. And those who were given the Book differed only after knowledge had come to them, out of envy among themselves. And whoever disbelieves in the messages of Allah — Allah indeed is Quick at reckoning.
The meaning is that the principle of submission to God, thereby entering into peace, has always been the true religion. According to the Holy Quran, Islām was the religion of all the prophets. The Israelite prophets who followed Moses are spoken of as the prophets who submitted themselves (to Allah) (5:44). It is also the natural religion of man, as in 30:30 it is described as being “the nature made by Allah in which He has created mankind”.
3:20
فَاِنۡ حَآجُّوۡکَ فَقُلۡ اَسۡلَمۡتُ وَجۡہِیَ لِلّٰہِ وَ مَنِ اتَّبَعَنِ ؕ وَ قُلۡ لِّلَّذِیۡنَ اُوۡتُوا الۡکِتٰبَ وَ الۡاُمِّیّٖنَ ءَاَسۡلَمۡتُمۡ ؕ فَاِنۡ اَسۡلَمُوۡا فَقَدِ اہۡتَدَوۡا ۚ وَ اِنۡ تَوَلَّوۡا فَاِنَّمَا عَلَیۡکَ الۡبَلٰغُ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ بَصِیۡرٌۢ بِالۡعِبَادِ ﴿٪۲۰﴾
But if they dispute with you say: I submit myself entirely to Allah and (so does) he who follows me. And say to those who have been given the Book and the Unlearned (people): Do you submit yourselves? If they submit, then indeed they follow the right way; and if they turn back, your duty is only to deliver the message. And Allah is Seer of the servants.
By the Unlearned people are meant the Arabs.
Section 3 (Verses 3:21–3:30): Kingdom Granted to Another People
3:21
اِنَّ الَّذِیۡنَ یَکۡفُرُوۡنَ بِاٰیٰتِ اللّٰہِ وَ یَقۡتُلُوۡنَ النَّبِیّٖنَ بِغَیۡرِ حَقٍّ ۙ وَّ یَقۡتُلُوۡنَ الَّذِیۡنَ یَاۡمُرُوۡنَ بِالۡقِسۡطِ مِنَ النَّاسِ ۙ فَبَشِّرۡہُمۡ بِعَذَابٍ اَلِیۡمٍ ﴿۲۱﴾
Those who disbelieve in the messages of Allah and would kill the prophets unjustly and kill those among people who command (the doing of) justice, announce to them a painful punishment.
3:22
اُولٰٓئِکَ الَّذِیۡنَ حَبِطَتۡ اَعۡمَالُہُمۡ فِی الدُّنۡیَا وَ الۡاٰخِرَۃِ ۫ وَ مَا لَہُمۡ مِّنۡ نّٰصِرِیۡنَ ﴿۲۲﴾
Those are they whose deeds will be fruitless in this world and the Hereafter, and they will have no helpers.
3:23
اَلَمۡ تَرَ اِلَی الَّذِیۡنَ اُوۡتُوۡا نَصِیۡبًا مِّنَ الۡکِتٰبِ یُدۡعَوۡنَ اِلٰی کِتٰبِ اللّٰہِ لِیَحۡکُمَ بَیۡنَہُمۡ ثُمَّ یَتَوَلّٰی فَرِیۡقٌ مِّنۡہُمۡ وَ ہُمۡ مُّعۡرِضُوۡنَ ﴿۲۳﴾
Have you not seen those who are given a portion of the Book? They are invited to the Book of Allah that it may decide between them, then some of them turn back and they withdraw.
The Jews are spoken of as being given only a portion of the Book, because much of it had already been lost. Moreover, the Torah was not a complete law.
3:24
ذٰلِکَ بِاَنَّہُمۡ قَالُوۡا لَنۡ تَمَسَّنَا النَّارُ اِلَّاۤ اَیَّامًا مَّعۡدُوۡدٰتٍ ۪ وَ غَرَّہُمۡ فِیۡ دِیۡنِہِمۡ مَّا کَانُوۡا یَفۡتَرُوۡنَ ﴿۲۴﴾
This is because they say: The Fire shall not touch us but for a few days; and what they forge deceives them regarding their religion.
3:25
فَکَیۡفَ اِذَا جَمَعۡنٰہُمۡ لِیَوۡمٍ لَّا رَیۡبَ فِیۡہِ ۟ وَ وُفِّیَتۡ کُلُّ نَفۡسٍ مَّا کَسَبَتۡ وَ ہُمۡ لَا یُظۡلَمُوۡنَ ﴿۲۵﴾
Then how will it be when We gather them together on a day about which there is no doubt. And every soul shall be fully paid what it has earned, and they shall not be wronged?
3:26
قُلِ اللّٰہُمَّ مٰلِکَ الۡمُلۡکِ تُؤۡتِی الۡمُلۡکَ مَنۡ تَشَآءُ وَ تَنۡزِعُ الۡمُلۡکَ مِمَّنۡ تَشَآءُ ۫ وَ تُعِزُّ مَنۡ تَشَآءُ وَ تُذِلُّ مَنۡ تَشَآءُ ؕ بِیَدِکَ الۡخَیۡرُ ؕ اِنَّکَ عَلٰی کُلِّ شَیۡءٍ قَدِیۡرٌ ﴿۲۶﴾
Say: O Allah, Owner of the Kingdom, You give the kingdom to whom You please, and take away the kingdom from whom You please, and You exalt whom You please and degrade whom You please. In Your hand is the good. Surely You are Powerful over all things.
3:27
تُوۡلِجُ الَّیۡلَ فِی النَّہَارِ وَ تُوۡلِجُ النَّہَارَ فِی الَّیۡلِ ۫ وَ تُخۡرِجُ الۡحَیَّ مِنَ الۡمَیِّتِ وَ تُخۡرِجُ الۡمَیِّتَ مِنَ الۡحَیِّ ۫ وَ تَرۡزُقُ مَنۡ تَشَآءُ بِغَیۡرِ حِسَابٍ ﴿۲۷﴾
You make the night to pass into the day and You make the day to pass into the night; and You bring forth the living from the dead and You bring forth the dead from the living; and You give sustenance to whom You please without measure.
Verses 26–27 refer to the fact that kingdom and honour shall be given now to another nation, whose night shall be made to pass into a day of triumph. The Jews had already been warned by Jesus that “the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it” (Matthew, 21:43). A living nation of Muslims was brought forth from among the dead Arabs, and the living nation of Israelites was represented now by a people who were spiritually dead.
3:28
لَا یَتَّخِذِ الۡمُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ الۡکٰفِرِیۡنَ اَوۡلِیَآءَ مِنۡ دُوۡنِ الۡمُؤۡمِنِیۡنَ ۚ وَ مَنۡ یَّفۡعَلۡ ذٰلِکَ فَلَیۡسَ مِنَ اللّٰہِ فِیۡ شَیۡءٍ اِلَّاۤ اَنۡ تَتَّقُوۡا مِنۡہُمۡ تُقٰىۃً ؕ وَ یُحَذِّرُکُمُ اللّٰہُ نَفۡسَہٗ ؕ وَ اِلَی اللّٰہِ الۡمَصِیۡرُ ﴿۲۸﴾
The believers should not take the disbelievers as allies rather than believers. And whoever does this has no connection with Allah — except that you guard yourselves against them, guarding carefully. And Allah cautions you against His retribution. And to Allah is the eventual coming.
The Muslims, being in a state of war with the disbelievers, were forbidden to look to their enemies to guard their interests or for help of any kind. The clear statement made in 60:8–9 settles the point beyond all doubt: “Allah does not forbid you, with regard to those who do not fight you for religion, nor drive you forth from your homes, that you show them kindness and deal with them justly. … Allah forbids you only with regard to those who fight you for religion, and drive you forth from your homes and help (others) in your expulsion, that you make friends of them”.
3:29
قُلۡ اِنۡ تُخۡفُوۡا مَا فِیۡ صُدُوۡرِکُمۡ اَوۡ تُبۡدُوۡہُ یَعۡلَمۡہُ اللّٰہُ ؕ وَ یَعۡلَمُ مَا فِی السَّمٰوٰتِ وَ مَا فِی الۡاَرۡضِ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ عَلٰی کُلِّ شَیۡءٍ قَدِیۡرٌ ﴿۲۹﴾
Say: Whether you hide what is in your hearts or manifest it, Allah knows it. And He knows whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth. And Allah is Powerful over all things.
3:30
یَوۡمَ تَجِدُ کُلُّ نَفۡسٍ مَّا عَمِلَتۡ مِنۡ خَیۡرٍ مُّحۡضَرًا ۚۖۛ وَّ مَا عَمِلَتۡ مِنۡ سُوۡٓءٍ ۚۛ تَوَدُّ لَوۡ اَنَّ بَیۡنَہَا وَ بَیۡنَہٗۤ اَمَدًۢا بَعِیۡدًا ؕ وَ یُحَذِّرُکُمُ اللّٰہُ نَفۡسَہٗ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ رَءُوۡفٌۢ بِالۡعِبَادِ ﴿٪۳۰﴾
On the day when every soul will find present whatever good it has done, and whatever evil it has done, it will wish that between it and that (evil) there were a long distance. And Allah cautions you against His retribution. And Allah is Compassionate to the servants.
Section 4 (Verses 3:31–3:41): Last Members of a Chosen Race
3:31
قُلۡ اِنۡ کُنۡتُمۡ تُحِبُّوۡنَ اللّٰہَ فَاتَّبِعُوۡنِیۡ یُحۡبِبۡکُمُ اللّٰہُ وَ یَغۡفِرۡ لَکُمۡ ذُنُوۡبَکُمۡ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ غَفُوۡرٌ رَّحِیۡمٌ ﴿۳۱﴾
Say: If you love Allah, follow me: Allah will love you, and grant you protection from your sins. And Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
The love of Allah is the great goal of life to which Islam leads.
3:32
قُلۡ اَطِیۡعُوا اللّٰہَ وَ الرَّسُوۡلَ ۚ فَاِنۡ تَوَلَّوۡا فَاِنَّ اللّٰہَ لَا یُحِبُّ الۡکٰفِرِیۡنَ ﴿۳۲﴾
Say: Obey Allah and the Messenger; but if they turn back, Allah surely does not love the disbelievers.
3:33
اِنَّ اللّٰہَ اصۡطَفٰۤی اٰدَمَ وَ نُوۡحًا وَّ اٰلَ اِبۡرٰہِیۡمَ وَ اٰلَ عِمۡرٰنَ عَلَی الۡعٰلَمِیۡنَ ﴿ۙ۳۳﴾
Truly Allah chose Adam and Noah and the descendants of Abraham and the descendants of Amran above the nations,
Here begins the story of Jesus Christ, the central figure of the Christian religion, and as a preliminary we are told that if Jesus was chosen by God so were his great ancestors, Adam and Noah. The descendants of Abraham and Amran are then spoken of as having been chosen above the nations. For the choice of the descendants of Abraham, see 2:124 footnote. They are divided into two branches, the Israelites and the Ishmaelites. The former are here spoken of as the descendants of ‘Imrān, who is the same as Amran of the Bible. The descendants of Amran are Moses and Aaron. Moses became the founder of the Israelite law and Aaron the head of the Israelite priesthood. The last of this race were John and Jesus. Their parents, Zacharias and Mary, are first spoken of here.
3:34
ذُرِّیَّۃًۢ بَعۡضُہَا مِنۡۢ بَعۡضٍ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ سَمِیۡعٌ عَلِیۡمٌ ﴿ۚ۳۴﴾
offspring, one of the other. And Allah is Hearing, Knowing.
3:35
اِذۡ قَالَتِ امۡرَاَتُ عِمۡرٰنَ رَبِّ اِنِّیۡ نَذَرۡتُ لَکَ مَا فِیۡ بَطۡنِیۡ مُحَرَّرًا فَتَقَبَّلۡ مِنِّیۡ ۚ اِنَّکَ اَنۡتَ السَّمِیۡعُ الۡعَلِیۡمُ ﴿۳۵﴾
When a woman of Amran said: My Lord, I vow to You what is in my womb, to be devoted (to Your service), so accept (it) from me; surely You, only You, are the Hearing, the Knowing.
Imra’at means a woman and also a wife. I take imra’at ‘Imrān as meaning a woman of the family of Amran rather than wife of Amran because the name of a great ancestor is frequently used to indicate the nation which has sprung from him. According to tradition, however, ‘Imrān was the name of Mary’s father, and therefore the words imra’at ‘Imrān may mean the wife of Amran.
3:36
فَلَمَّا وَضَعَتۡہَا قَالَتۡ رَبِّ اِنِّیۡ وَضَعۡتُہَاۤ اُنۡثٰی ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ اَعۡلَمُ بِمَا وَضَعَتۡ ؕ وَ لَیۡسَ الذَّکَرُ کَالۡاُنۡثٰی ۚ وَ اِنِّیۡ سَمَّیۡتُہَا مَرۡیَمَ وَ اِنِّیۡۤ اُعِیۡذُہَا بِکَ وَ ذُرِّیَّتَہَا مِنَ الشَّیۡطٰنِ الرَّجِیۡمِ ﴿۳۶﴾
So when she gave birth to it, she said: My Lord, I have given birth to a female — and Allah knew best what she had given birth to — and the male is not like the female, and I have named it Mary, and I commend her and her offspring into Your protection from the accursed devil.
She had vowed the child to be devoted to the service of the Temple, but a female could not do the priestly work.
3:37
فَتَقَبَّلَہَا رَبُّہَا بِقَبُوۡلٍ حَسَنٍ وَّ اَنۡۢبَتَہَا نَبَاتًا حَسَنًا ۙ وَّ کَفَّلَہَا زَکَرِیَّا ۚؕ کُلَّمَا دَخَلَ عَلَیۡہَا زَکَرِیَّا الۡمِحۡرَابَ ۙ وَجَدَ عِنۡدَہَا رِزۡقًا ۚ قَالَ یٰمَرۡیَمُ اَنّٰی لَکِ ہٰذَا ؕ قَالَتۡ ہُوَ مِنۡ عِنۡدِ اللّٰہِ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ یَرۡزُقُ مَنۡ یَّشَآءُ بِغَیۡرِ حِسَابٍ ﴿۳۷﴾
So her Lord accepted her with a goodly acceptance and made her grow up a goodly growing, and gave her into the charge of Zacharias. Whenever Zacharias entered the sanctuary to (see) her, he found food with her. He said: Mary, from where does this come to you? She said: It is from Allah. Surely Allah gives to whom He pleases without measure.
Mary’s reply, that she got sustenance from Allah, is the reply of every devout person who believes that Allah is the sustainer of all, and that therefore all provision or sustenance comes from Him. Mary being attached to the Temple, the worshippers would naturally bring gifts to her, and as it was through Divine grace that she received these gifts she said that it was Allah Who gave her these things.
3:38
ہُنَالِکَ دَعَا زَکَرِیَّا رَبَّہٗ ۚ قَالَ رَبِّ ہَبۡ لِیۡ مِنۡ لَّدُنۡکَ ذُرِّیَّۃً طَیِّبَۃً ۚ اِنَّکَ سَمِیۡعُ الدُّعَآءِ ﴿۳۸﴾
There did Zacharias pray to his Lord. He said: My Lord, grant me from Yourself goodly offspring; surely You are the Hearer of prayer.
3:39
فَنَادَتۡہُ الۡمَلٰٓئِکَۃُ وَ ہُوَ قَآئِمٌ یُّصَلِّیۡ فِی الۡمِحۡرَابِ ۙ اَنَّ اللّٰہَ یُبَشِّرُکَ بِیَحۡیٰی مُصَدِّقًۢا بِکَلِمَۃٍ مِّنَ اللّٰہِ وَ سَیِّدًا وَّ حَصُوۡرًا وَّ نَبِیًّا مِّنَ الصّٰلِحِیۡنَ ﴿۳۹﴾
So the angels called to him as he stood praying in the sanctuary: Allah gives you the good news of John, verifying a word from Allah, and honourable and chaste and a prophet from among the good ones.
The Arabic word for John is Yaḥyā, this name indicating that he would not die in sin like his other relations.
3:40
قَالَ رَبِّ اَنّٰی یَکُوۡنُ لِیۡ غُلٰمٌ وَّ قَدۡ بَلَغَنِیَ الۡکِبَرُ وَ امۡرَاَتِیۡ عَاقِرٌ ؕ قَالَ کَذٰلِکَ اللّٰہُ یَفۡعَلُ مَا یَشَآءُ ﴿۴۰﴾
He said: My Lord, how can I have a son when old age has already come upon me, and my wife is barren? He said: Even thus does Allah do what He pleases.
3:41
قَالَ رَبِّ اجۡعَلۡ لِّیۡۤ اٰیَۃً ؕ قَالَ اٰیَتُکَ اَلَّا تُکَلِّمَ النَّاسَ ثَلٰثَۃَ اَیَّامٍ اِلَّا رَمۡزًا ؕ وَ اذۡکُرۡ رَّبَّکَ کَثِیۡرًا وَّ سَبِّحۡ بِالۡعَشِیِّ وَ الۡاِبۡکَارِ ﴿٪۴۱﴾
He said: My Lord, appoint a sign for me. Said He: Your sign is that you do not speak to people for three days except by signs. And remember your Lord much and glorify (Him) in the evening and early morning.
Section 5 (Verses 3:42–3:54): Birth of Jesus and His Ministry
3:42
وَ اِذۡ قَالَتِ الۡمَلٰٓئِکَۃُ یٰمَرۡیَمُ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ اصۡطَفٰکِ وَ طَہَّرَکِ وَ اصۡطَفٰکِ عَلٰی نِسَآءِ الۡعٰلَمِیۡنَ ﴿۴۲﴾
And when the angels said: O Mary, surely Allah has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the world.
3:43
یٰمَرۡیَمُ اقۡنُتِیۡ لِرَبِّکِ وَ اسۡجُدِیۡ وَ ارۡکَعِیۡ مَعَ الرّٰکِعِیۡنَ ﴿۴۳﴾
O Mary, be obedient to your Lord and humble yourself and bow down with those who bow.
After speaking of Mary’s birth and her growing up, the Quran now speaks of her election just as the righteous before her were elected. Evidently this refers to a time when she had grown up to the age of puberty and left the temple.
3:44
ذٰلِکَ مِنۡ اَنۡۢبَآءِ الۡغَیۡبِ نُوۡحِیۡہِ اِلَیۡکَ ؕ وَ مَا کُنۡتَ لَدَیۡہِمۡ اِذۡ یُلۡقُوۡنَ اَقۡلَامَہُمۡ اَیُّہُمۡ یَکۡفُلُ مَرۡیَمَ ۪ وَ مَا کُنۡتَ لَدَیۡہِمۡ اِذۡ یَخۡتَصِمُوۡنَ ﴿۴۴﴾
This is among the tidings of things unseen which We reveal to you. And you were not with them when they cast their pens (to decide) which of them should have Mary in his charge, and you were not with them when they contended with one another.
This verse cannot refer back to Mary’s history as a child in the temple, as some think. The Quran has described her history in the natural order: her conception (v. 35), birth (v. 36), being dedicated to and residing in the temple (v. 37), and her election at the age of discretion (v. 42 and 43). Therefore this particular incident refers to her espousal. The casting of lots and the contention as to who should have her in his charge means her charge as a wife.
3:45
اِذۡ قَالَتِ الۡمَلٰٓئِکَۃُ یٰمَرۡیَمُ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ یُبَشِّرُکِ بِکَلِمَۃٍ مِّنۡہُ ٭ۖ اسۡمُہُ الۡمَسِیۡحُ عِیۡسَی ابۡنُ مَرۡیَمَ وَجِیۡہًا فِی الدُّنۡیَا وَ الۡاٰخِرَۃِ وَ مِنَ الۡمُقَرَّبِیۡنَ ﴿ۙ۴۵﴾
When the angels said: O Mary, surely Allah gives you good news with a word from Him (of one) whose name is the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, worthy of regard in this world and the Hereafter, and one of those who are drawn near (to Allah),
The good news was given by means of a prophetic word from God.
3:46
وَ یُکَلِّمُ النَّاسَ فِی الۡمَہۡدِ وَ کَہۡلًا وَّ مِنَ الصّٰلِحِیۡنَ ﴿۴۶﴾
and he will speak to the people when in the cradle and when of old age, and (he will be) one of the good ones.
Speaking “when in the cradle and when of old age” cannot be considered as miracles, as the latter is undoubtedly not. The good news conveyed consists in the fact that the child announced will be a healthy child and shall not die in childhood. It would thus appear that, according to the Holy Quran, Jesus did not die at thirty-three years of age, but lived to a sufficiently old age.
3:47
قَالَتۡ رَبِّ اَنّٰی یَکُوۡنُ لِیۡ وَلَدٌ وَّ لَمۡ یَمۡسَسۡنِیۡ بَشَرٌ ؕ قَالَ کَذٰلِکِ اللّٰہُ یَخۡلُقُ مَا یَشَآءُ ؕ اِذَا قَضٰۤی اَمۡرًا فَاِنَّمَا یَقُوۡلُ لَہٗ کُنۡ فَیَکُوۡنُ ﴿۴۷﴾
She said: My Lord, how can I have a son and man has not yet touched me? He said: Even so; Allah creates what He pleases. When He decrees a matter, He only says to it, Be, and it is.
She is told in reply to her question that the child will be born because God would bring about the circumstances which result in the birth of a child. The words do not show that she would conceive out of the ordinary course of nature, for there is no doubt that Mary had other children, which no one supposes to have been conceived out of the ordinary course of nature. Nor do the words that follow prove anything beyond the simple fact that Mary must give birth to a son in accordance with the prophecy. The whole of creation is brought about, we are told again and again, by the Divine word “Be” (see 2:117), yet no one supposes that creation is not brought about according to the laws of nature.
3:48
وَ یُعَلِّمُہُ الۡکِتٰبَ وَ الۡحِکۡمَۃَ وَ التَّوۡرٰىۃَ وَ الۡاِنۡجِیۡلَ ﴿ۚ۴۸﴾
And He will teach him the Book and the Wisdom and the Torah and the Gospel,
3:49
وَ رَسُوۡلًا اِلٰی بَنِیۡۤ اِسۡرَآءِیۡلَ ۬ۙ اَنِّیۡ قَدۡ جِئۡتُکُمۡ بِاٰیَۃٍ مِّنۡ رَّبِّکُمۡ ۙ اَنِّیۡۤ اَخۡلُقُ لَکُمۡ مِّنَ الطِّیۡنِ کَہَیۡـَٔۃِ الطَّیۡرِ فَاَنۡفُخُ فِیۡہِ فَیَکُوۡنُ طَیۡرًۢا بِاِذۡنِ اللّٰہِ ۚ وَ اُبۡرِیُٔ الۡاَکۡمَہَ وَ الۡاَبۡرَصَ وَ اُحۡیِ الۡمَوۡتٰی بِاِذۡنِ اللّٰہِ ۚ وَ اُنَبِّئُکُمۡ بِمَا تَاۡکُلُوۡنَ وَ مَا تَدَّخِرُوۡنَ ۙ فِیۡ بُیُوۡتِکُمۡ ؕ اِنَّ فِیۡ ذٰلِکَ لَاٰیَۃً لَّکُمۡ اِنۡ کُنۡتُمۡ مُّؤۡمِنِیۡنَ ﴿ۚ۴۹﴾
and (make him) a messenger to the Children of Israel (saying): I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, that I determine for you out of dust (a thing) like the form of a bird, then I breathe into it and it becomes a bird with Allah’s permission, and I heal the blind and the leprous, and bring the dead to life with Allah’s permission; and I inform you of what you should eat and what you should store in your houses. Surely there is a sign in this for you, if you are believers.
As Jesus spoke in parables, this passage must be taken allegorically. What is meant is that Jesus, by breathing a spirit into mortals, will make them rise above those who are bent low upon the earth, and the apostles of Jesus, who were all men of humble origin (which is referred to in the word dust in the parable), left everything for the master’s sake and went into the world by his command to preach the truth. Here was mere dust having the form of a bird, which the messenger of God converted into high-soaring birds by breathing truth into them.
3:50
وَ مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَیۡنَ یَدَیَّ مِنَ التَّوۡرٰىۃِ وَ لِاُحِلَّ لَکُمۡ بَعۡضَ الَّذِیۡ حُرِّمَ عَلَیۡکُمۡ وَ جِئۡتُکُمۡ بِاٰیَۃٍ مِّنۡ رَّبِّکُمۡ ۟ فَاتَّقُوا اللّٰہَ وَ اَطِیۡعُوۡنِ ﴿۵۰﴾
And (I have come) verifying what is (already) before me of the Torah, and I allow you part of what was forbidden to you; and I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, so keep your duty to Allah and obey me.
The law of Moses was upheld by the Israelite prophets, but amended from time to time. These changes are particularly marked out in Jesus’ teaching.
3:51
اِنَّ اللّٰہَ رَبِّیۡ وَ رَبُّکُمۡ فَاعۡبُدُوۡہُ ؕ ہٰذَا صِرَاطٌ مُّسۡتَقِیۡمٌ ﴿۵۱﴾
Surely Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so serve Him. This is the right path.
3:52
فَلَمَّاۤ اَحَسَّ عِیۡسٰی مِنۡہُمُ الۡکُفۡرَ قَالَ مَنۡ اَنۡصَارِیۡۤ اِلَی اللّٰہِ ؕ قَالَ الۡحَوَارِیُّوۡنَ نَحۡنُ اَنۡصَارُ اللّٰہِ ۚ اٰمَنَّا بِاللّٰہِ ۚ وَ اشۡہَدۡ بِاَنَّا مُسۡلِمُوۡنَ ﴿۵۲﴾
But when Jesus perceived disbelief on their part, he said: Who will be my helpers in Allah’s way? The disciples said: We are Allah’s helpers, we believe in Allah, and (ask you to) bear witness that we are submitting ones.
3:53
رَبَّنَاۤ اٰمَنَّا بِمَاۤ اَنۡزَلۡتَ وَ اتَّبَعۡنَا الرَّسُوۡلَ فَاکۡتُبۡنَا مَعَ الشّٰہِدِیۡنَ ﴿۵۳﴾
Our Lord, we believe in what You have revealed and we follow the messenger, so write us down with those who bear witness.
3:54
وَ مَکَرُوۡا وَ مَکَرَ اللّٰہُ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ خَیۡرُ الۡمٰکِرِیۡنَ ﴿٪۵۴﴾
And (the Jews) planned and Allah (also) planned. And Allah is the Best of planners.
The word makr used here is the equivalent of the word plan, the good or evil nature of the plan being dependent on the doer’s intention. The Jews planned to put Jesus to death by crucifixion, and Allah made a plan to frustrate their plans; and Allah’s plan was successful, i.e. he was saved from death on the cross, for which see 3:55 and 4:157.
Section 6 (Verses 3:55–3:63): Jesus Cleared of False Charges
3:55
اِذۡ قَالَ اللّٰہُ یٰعِیۡسٰۤی اِنِّیۡ مُتَوَفِّیۡکَ وَ رَافِعُکَ اِلَیَّ وَ مُطَہِّرُکَ مِنَ الَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوۡا وَ جَاعِلُ الَّذِیۡنَ اتَّبَعُوۡکَ فَوۡقَ الَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوۡۤا اِلٰی یَوۡمِ الۡقِیٰمَۃِ ۚ ثُمَّ اِلَیَّ مَرۡجِعُکُمۡ فَاَحۡکُمُ بَیۡنَکُمۡ فِیۡمَا کُنۡتُمۡ فِیۡہِ تَخۡتَلِفُوۡنَ ﴿۵۵﴾
When Allah said: O Jesus, I will cause you to die and exalt you in My presence and clear you of those who disbelieve and make those who follow you above those who disbelieve to the day of Resurrection. Then to Me is your return, so I shall decide between you in that in which you differ.
Ibn Abbas says that the words used here, mutawaffī-ka, mean mumītu-ka, i.e. I will cause you to die (see Bukhari, 65.5:12). These words are used to show that the Jewish plans to cause Jesus’ death on the cross would be frustrated and that he would afterwards die a natural death; see 4:157.
3:56
فَاَمَّا الَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوۡا فَاُعَذِّبُہُمۡ عَذَابًا شَدِیۡدًا فِی الدُّنۡیَا وَ الۡاٰخِرَۃِ ۫ وَ مَا لَہُمۡ مِّنۡ نّٰصِرِیۡنَ ﴿۵۶﴾
Then as to those who disbelieve, I shall punish them with severe punishment in this world and the Hereafter, and they will have no helpers.
3:57
وَ اَمَّا الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا وَ عَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ فَیُوَفِّیۡہِمۡ اُجُوۡرَہُمۡ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ لَا یُحِبُّ الظّٰلِمِیۡنَ ﴿۵۷﴾
And as to those who believe and do good deeds, He will pay them fully their rewards. And Allah does not love the unjust.
3:58
ذٰلِکَ نَتۡلُوۡہُ عَلَیۡکَ مِنَ الۡاٰیٰتِ وَ الذِّکۡرِ الۡحَکِیۡمِ ﴿۵۸﴾
This We recite to you of the messages and the Reminder full of wisdom.
3:59
اِنَّ مَثَلَ عِیۡسٰی عِنۡدَ اللّٰہِ کَمَثَلِ اٰدَمَ ؕ خَلَقَہٗ مِنۡ تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَہٗ کُنۡ فَیَکُوۡنُ ﴿۵۹﴾
The likeness of Jesus with Allah is truly as the likeness of Adam. He created him from dust, then said to him, Be, and he was.
Adam stands for man generally, because all human beings are created from dust (see 18:37, 22:5 and 30:20). All that is meant is that Jesus is no more than a mortal, and that it is an error to take him for God. If Adam is taken as a proper name, the meaning would be that just as Adam was created from dust and then chosen by Allah, so was Jesus created from dust, and his election was similar to the election of Adam, the command “Be” referring to the election of a righteous servant of Allah. In either case there is no reference to Jesus being brought into existence without the agency of a male parent.
3:60
اَلۡحَقُّ مِنۡ رَّبِّکَ فَلَا تَکُنۡ مِّنَ الۡمُمۡتَرِیۡنَ ﴿۶۰﴾
(This is) the truth from your Lord, so do not be one of the disputers.
3:61
فَمَنۡ حَآجَّکَ فِیۡہِ مِنۡۢ بَعۡدِ مَا جَآءَکَ مِنَ الۡعِلۡمِ فَقُلۡ تَعَالَوۡا نَدۡعُ اَبۡنَآءَنَا وَ اَبۡنَآءَکُمۡ وَ نِسَآءَنَا وَ نِسَآءَکُمۡ وَ اَنۡفُسَنَا وَ اَنۡفُسَکُمۡ ۟ ثُمَّ نَبۡتَہِلۡ فَنَجۡعَلۡ لَّعۡنَتَ اللّٰہِ عَلَی الۡکٰذِبِیۡنَ ﴿۶۱﴾
Whoever then disputes with you in this matter after the knowledge that has come to you, say: Come! Let us call our sons and your sons and our women and your women and our people and your people, then let us be earnest in prayer, and invoke the curse of Allah on the liars.
The persons addressed in particular in this verse are the members of the Christian deputation from Najrān that came in 10 A.H. to see the Prophet Muhammad. The deputation was lodged by the Holy Prophet in his mosque. Thus did he set an unparalleled example of freedom of religious belief and practice. After the Holy Prophet gave them arguments showing that Jesus was not God, and finding them still insisting on their false belief, they were invited as a last resort to pray earnestly that the curse of Allah might overtake the party that insisted on falsehood. After some deliberation they decided against it and told the Prophet that they had decided not to pray against him as suggested. Thereupon they were given a pledge by which they were free to practise their religion.
3:62
اِنَّ ہٰذَا لَہُوَ الۡقَصَصُ الۡحَقُّ ۚ وَ مَا مِنۡ اِلٰہٍ اِلَّا اللّٰہُ ؕ وَ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ لَہُوَ الۡعَزِیۡزُ الۡحَکِیۡمُ ﴿۶۲﴾
Surely this is the true account, and there is no god but Allah. And Allah, He surely is the Mighty, the Wise.
3:63
فَاِنۡ تَوَلَّوۡا فَاِنَّ اللّٰہَ عَلِیۡمٌۢ بِالۡمُفۡسِدِیۡنَ ﴿٪۶۳﴾
But if they turn away, then surely Allah knows the mischief-makers.
Section 7 (Verses 3:64–3:71): Controversy with Jews and Christians
3:64
قُلۡ یٰۤاَہۡلَ الۡکِتٰبِ تَعَالَوۡا اِلٰی کَلِمَۃٍ سَوَآءٍۢ بَیۡنَنَا وَ بَیۡنَکُمۡ اَلَّا نَعۡبُدَ اِلَّا اللّٰہَ وَ لَا نُشۡرِکَ بِہٖ شَیۡئًا وَّ لَا یَتَّخِذَ بَعۡضُنَا بَعۡضًا اَرۡبَابًا مِّنۡ دُوۡنِ اللّٰہِ ؕ فَاِنۡ تَوَلَّوۡا فَقُوۡلُوا اشۡہَدُوۡا بِاَنَّا مُسۡلِمُوۡنَ ﴿۶۴﴾
Say: O People of the Book, come to an equitable word between us and you, that we shall serve none but Allah and that we shall not set up any partner with Him, and that some of us shall not take others for lords besides Allah. But if they turn away, then say: Bear witness, we are Muslims.
In this verse the Jews and the Christians are called upon to accept the broad principles of the faith of Abraham, which were also the basic principles of the faith of Islam. The words some of us shall not take others for lords is to the practice prevailing then both among Jews and Christians, and at present among Muslims too, to treat religious leaders as if invested with Divine powers. The basic doctrines of Islam are the greatest common measure of the truth contained in different religions of the world. The doctrine of Unity as taught by Islam affords an illustration. All higher religions start on the basis of Divine Unity but then each religious system has its peculiarities unknown to all others. Islam alone is free from all these additions to the basic doctrine, and it preaches Unity in its simplest form. There are no idols, no gods, no incarnations of the Divine Being, no sons of God, and finally no priests or clerics to be followed blindly.
3:65
یٰۤاَہۡلَ الۡکِتٰبِ لِمَ تُحَآجُّوۡنَ فِیۡۤ اِبۡرٰہِیۡمَ وَ مَاۤ اُنۡزِلَتِ التَّوۡرٰىۃُ وَ الۡاِنۡجِیۡلُ اِلَّا مِنۡۢ بَعۡدِہٖ ؕ اَفَلَا تَعۡقِلُوۡنَ ﴿۶۵﴾
O People of the Book, why do you dispute about Abraham, when the Torah and the Gospel were not revealed till after him? Do you not understand?
3:66
ہٰۤاَنۡتُمۡ ہٰۤؤُلَآءِ حَاجَجۡتُمۡ فِیۡمَا لَکُمۡ بِہٖ عِلۡمٌ فَلِمَ تُحَآجُّوۡنَ فِیۡمَا لَیۡسَ لَکُمۡ بِہٖ عِلۡمٌ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ یَعۡلَمُ وَ اَنۡتُمۡ لَا تَعۡلَمُوۡنَ ﴿۶۶﴾
Look! You are they who disputed about that of which you had knowledge; why then do you dispute about that of which you have no knowledge? And Allah knows while you do not know.
The Jews invited people to a belief in the Torah and the Christians to a belief in the Gospel, but both these had lost the purity of the faith of Abraham which was pure monotheism, unmixed with either Jewish priesthood or Christian doctrine of sonship.
3:67
مَا کَانَ اِبۡرٰہِیۡمُ یَہُوۡدِیًّا وَّ لَا نَصۡرَانِیًّا وَّ لٰکِنۡ کَانَ حَنِیۡفًا مُّسۡلِمًا ؕ وَ مَا کَانَ مِنَ الۡمُشۡرِکِیۡنَ ﴿۶۷﴾
Abraham was not a Jew nor a Christian, but he was (an) upright (man), a Muslim; and he was not of those who set up partners (with Allah).
3:68
اِنَّ اَوۡلَی النَّاسِ بِاِبۡرٰہِیۡمَ لَلَّذِیۡنَ اتَّبَعُوۡہُ وَ ہٰذَا النَّبِیُّ وَ الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ وَلِیُّ الۡمُؤۡمِنِیۡنَ ﴿۶۸﴾
The nearest of people to Abraham are surely those who follow him and this Prophet and those who believe. And Allah is the Friend of the believers.
3:69
وَدَّتۡ طَّآئِفَۃٌ مِّنۡ اَہۡلِ الۡکِتٰبِ لَوۡ یُضِلُّوۡنَکُمۡ ؕ وَ مَا یُضِلُّوۡنَ اِلَّاۤ اَنۡفُسَہُمۡ وَ مَا یَشۡعُرُوۡنَ ﴿۶۹﴾
Some of the People of the Book desire that they should lead you astray; and they lead astray only themselves, but they do not perceive.
3:70
یٰۤاَہۡلَ الۡکِتٰبِ لِمَ تَکۡفُرُوۡنَ بِاٰیٰتِ اللّٰہِ وَ اَنۡتُمۡ تَشۡہَدُوۡنَ ﴿۷۰﴾
O People of the Book, why do you disbelieve in the messages of Allah while you witness (their truth)?
3:71
یٰۤاَہۡلَ الۡکِتٰبِ لِمَ تَلۡبِسُوۡنَ الۡحَقَّ بِالۡبَاطِلِ وَ تَکۡتُمُوۡنَ الۡحَقَّ وَ اَنۡتُمۡ تَعۡلَمُوۡنَ ﴿٪۷۱﴾
O People of the Book, why do you mix the truth with falsehood, and hide the truth while you know?
Section 8 (Verses 3:72–3:80): Machinations to Discredit Islam
3:72
وَ قَالَتۡ طَّآئِفَۃٌ مِّنۡ اَہۡلِ الۡکِتٰبِ اٰمِنُوۡا بِالَّذِیۡۤ اُنۡزِلَ عَلَی الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا وَجۡہَ النَّہَارِ وَ اکۡفُرُوۡۤا اٰخِرَہٗ لَعَلَّہُمۡ یَرۡجِعُوۡنَ ﴿ۚۖ۷۲﴾
And a group of the People of the Book say: Affirm belief in what has been revealed to those who believe, in the first part of the day, and disbelieve in the latter part of it, perhaps they may turn back.
This has two different significances. One is that they should affirm belief in the earlier part of the revelation, while denying the latter portion, as some modern critics do, thus creating doubts as to the sincerity of the Prophet. The other is that they should affirm a belief in the truth of Islam in the morning and deny it in the evening, creating the impression that the religion of Islam was a false religion. The fact that a group of Jews, in Madinah under Muslim rule, could conceive this plan is a clear proof that apostates in Islam were not put to death.
3:73
وَ لَا تُؤۡمِنُوۡۤا اِلَّا لِمَنۡ تَبِعَ دِیۡنَکُمۡ ؕ قُلۡ اِنَّ الۡہُدٰی ہُدَی اللّٰہِ ۙ اَنۡ یُّؤۡتٰۤی اَحَدٌ مِّثۡلَ مَاۤ اُوۡتِیۡتُمۡ اَوۡ یُحَآجُّوۡکُمۡ عِنۡدَ رَبِّکُمۡ ؕ قُلۡ اِنَّ الۡفَضۡلَ بِیَدِ اللّٰہِ ۚ یُؤۡتِیۡہِ مَنۡ یَّشَآءُ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِیۡمٌ ﴿ۚۙ۷۳﴾
And do not believe except in him who follows your religion. Say: True guidance — Allah’s guidance — is that one may be given the like of what you were given; or they would prevail on you in argument before your Lord. Say: Grace is surely in Allah’s hand. He gives it to whom He pleases. And Allah is Ample-giving, Knowing.
Editor’s Note: This is the statement of the Jews continued from v. 72, that they should not believe in any prophet who did not follow their religion.
3:74
یَّخۡتَصُّ بِرَحۡمَتِہٖ مَنۡ یَّشَآءُ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ ذُو الۡفَضۡلِ الۡعَظِیۡمِ ﴿۷۴﴾
He specially chooses for His mercy whom He pleases. And Allah is the Lord of mighty grace.
Allah’s choosing for His mercy stands here for His choice of a prophet.
3:75
وَ مِنۡ اَہۡلِ الۡکِتٰبِ مَنۡ اِنۡ تَاۡمَنۡہُ بِقِنۡطَارٍ یُّؤَدِّہٖۤ اِلَیۡکَ ۚ وَ مِنۡہُمۡ مَّنۡ اِنۡ تَاۡمَنۡہُ بِدِیۡنَارٍ لَّا یُؤَدِّہٖۤ اِلَیۡکَ اِلَّا مَادُمۡتَ عَلَیۡہِ قَآئِمًا ؕ ذٰلِکَ بِاَنَّہُمۡ قَالُوۡا لَیۡسَ عَلَیۡنَا فِی الۡاُمِّیّٖنَ سَبِیۡلٌ ۚ وَ یَقُوۡلُوۡنَ عَلَی اللّٰہِ الۡکَذِبَ وَ ہُمۡ یَعۡلَمُوۡنَ ﴿۷۵﴾
And among the People of the Book is he who, if you entrust him with a heap of wealth, would pay it back to you; and among them is he who, if you entrust him with a dinar, would not pay it back to you, unless you kept on demanding it. This is because they say there is no blame on us in the matter of the unlearned people and they forge a lie against Allah while they know.
They considered themselves free from all responsibility towards the Arabs, despite any agreement they might have made with them. They are, however, told that God never allowed dishonesty against any people.
3:76
بَلٰی مَنۡ اَوۡفٰی بِعَہۡدِہٖ وَ اتَّقٰی فَاِنَّ اللّٰہَ یُحِبُّ الۡمُتَّقِیۡنَ ﴿۷۶﴾
No, whoever fulfils his promise and keeps his duty — then Allah surely loves the dutiful.
3:77
اِنَّ الَّذِیۡنَ یَشۡتَرُوۡنَ بِعَہۡدِ اللّٰہِ وَ اَیۡمَانِہِمۡ ثَمَنًا قَلِیۡلًا اُولٰٓئِکَ لَا خَلَاقَ لَہُمۡ فِی الۡاٰخِرَۃِ وَ لَا یُکَلِّمُہُمُ اللّٰہُ وَ لَا یَنۡظُرُ اِلَیۡہِمۡ یَوۡمَ الۡقِیٰمَۃِ وَ لَا یُزَکِّیۡہِمۡ ۪ وَ لَہُمۡ عَذَابٌ اَلِیۡمٌ ﴿۷۷﴾
Those who take a small price for the covenant of Allah and their own oaths — they have no portion in the Hereafter, and Allah will not speak to them, nor will He look upon them on the day of Resurrection, nor will He purify them, and for them is a painful punishment.
3:78
وَ اِنَّ مِنۡہُمۡ لَفَرِیۡقًا یَّلۡوٗنَ اَلۡسِنَتَہُمۡ بِالۡکِتٰبِ لِتَحۡسَبُوۡہُ مِنَ الۡکِتٰبِ وَ مَا ہُوَ مِنَ الۡکِتٰبِ ۚ وَ یَقُوۡلُوۡنَ ہُوَ مِنۡ عِنۡدِ اللّٰہِ وَ مَا ہُوَ مِنۡ عِنۡدِ اللّٰہِ ۚ وَ یَقُوۡلُوۡنَ عَلَی اللّٰہِ الۡکَذِبَ وَ ہُمۡ یَعۡلَمُوۡنَ ﴿۷۸﴾
And certainly there are some of them who lie about the Book that you may consider it to be (a part) of the Book while it is not (a part) of the Book; and they say, It is from Allah, while it is not from Allah; and they forge a lie against Allah while they know.
3:79
مَا کَانَ لِبَشَرٍ اَنۡ یُّؤۡتِیَہُ اللّٰہُ الۡکِتٰبَ وَ الۡحُکۡمَ وَ النُّبُوَّۃَ ثُمَّ یَقُوۡلَ لِلنَّاسِ کُوۡنُوۡا عِبَادًا لِّیۡ مِنۡ دُوۡنِ اللّٰہِ وَ لٰکِنۡ کُوۡنُوۡا رَبّٰنِیّٖنَ بِمَا کُنۡتُمۡ تُعَلِّمُوۡنَ الۡکِتٰبَ وَ بِمَا کُنۡتُمۡ تَدۡرُسُوۡنَ ﴿ۙ۷۹﴾
It is not for a mortal that Allah should give him the Book and the judgment and the prophethood, then he should tell people: Be my servants besides Allah’s; but (he would say): Be worshippers of the Lord because you teach the Book and because you study (it);
3:80
وَ لَا یَاۡمُرَکُمۡ اَنۡ تَتَّخِذُوا الۡمَلٰٓئِکَۃَ وَ النَّبِیّٖنَ اَرۡبَابًا ؕ اَیَاۡمُرُکُمۡ بِالۡکُفۡرِ بَعۡدَ اِذۡ اَنۡتُمۡ مُّسۡلِمُوۡنَ ﴿٪۸۰﴾
nor would he command you to take the angels and the prophets for lords. Would he command you to disbelieve after you submit?
Thus according to the Quran no prophet — Jesus included — ever taught his followers to take him as God. Even the current Gospels do not attribute any such teaching to Jesus. The angels are mentioned because the pagan Arabs worshipped the angels.
Section 9 (Verses 3:81–3:91): Covenant of the Prophets
3:81
وَ اِذۡ اَخَذَ اللّٰہُ مِیۡثَاقَ النَّبِیّٖنَ لَمَاۤ اٰتَیۡتُکُمۡ مِّنۡ کِتٰبٍ وَّ حِکۡمَۃٍ ثُمَّ جَآءَکُمۡ رَسُوۡلٌ مُّصَدِّقٌ لِّمَا مَعَکُمۡ لَتُؤۡمِنُنَّ بِہٖ وَ لَتَنۡصُرُنَّہٗ ؕ قَالَ ءَاَقۡرَرۡتُمۡ وَ اَخَذۡتُمۡ عَلٰی ذٰلِکُمۡ اِصۡرِیۡ ؕ قَالُوۡۤا اَقۡرَرۡنَا ؕ قَالَ فَاشۡہَدُوۡا وَ اَنَا مَعَکُمۡ مِّنَ الشّٰہِدِیۡنَ ﴿۸۱﴾
And when Allah made a covenant through the prophets: Certainly what I have given you of Book and Wisdom — then a Messenger comes to you verifying what is (already) with you, you shall believe in him, and you shall aid him. He said: Do you affirm and accept My compact in this (matter)? They said: We do affirm. He said: Then bear witness, and I (too) am a bearer of witness with you.
The covenant was made through the prophets with their people. Both Moses and Jesus specially laid an obligation on their people to accept the prophet about whom they prophesied (see, for instance, Deuteronomy 18:18 and John 16:13). In fact, all the prophets of the world foretold the advent of the Prophet Muhammad. The covenant was made through each prophet separately as he appeared in the world. And just as all the prophets foretold the advent of the Prophet Muhammad and laid an obligation upon their people to accept him, so the Prophet Muhammad also taught his followers to believe in all the prophets that had appeared among different people in different ages, and this is stated in v. 84.
3:82
فَمَنۡ تَوَلّٰی بَعۡدَ ذٰلِکَ فَاُولٰٓئِکَ ہُمُ الۡفٰسِقُوۡنَ ﴿۸۲﴾
Whoever then turns back after this, these are the transgressors.
3:83
اَفَغَیۡرَ دِیۡنِ اللّٰہِ یَبۡغُوۡنَ وَ لَہٗۤ اَسۡلَمَ مَنۡ فِی السَّمٰوٰتِ وَ الۡاَرۡضِ طَوۡعًا وَّ کَرۡہًا وَّ اِلَیۡہِ یُرۡجَعُوۡنَ ﴿۸۳﴾
Do they then seek other than Allah’s religion? And to Him submits whoever is in the heavens and the earth, willingly or unwillingly, and to Him they will be returned.
Compare 13:15, 22:18, etc., where it is said that all those who are in the heavens and the earth make submission to Allah. The verse, in fact, shows that Islam, or the rule of submission to Divine law, is a law which is seen working throughout nature, and this is an argument of the truth of the religion of Islam.
3:84
قُلۡ اٰمَنَّا بِاللّٰہِ وَ مَاۤ اُنۡزِلَ عَلَیۡنَا وَ مَاۤ اُنۡزِلَ عَلٰۤی اِبۡرٰہِیۡمَ وَ اِسۡمٰعِیۡلَ وَ اِسۡحٰقَ وَ یَعۡقُوۡبَ وَ الۡاَسۡبَاطِ وَ مَاۤ اُوۡتِیَ مُوۡسٰی وَ عِیۡسٰی وَ النَّبِیُّوۡنَ مِنۡ رَّبِّہِمۡ ۪ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَیۡنَ اَحَدٍ مِّنۡہُمۡ ۫ وَ نَحۡنُ لَہٗ مُسۡلِمُوۡنَ ﴿۸۴﴾
Say: We believe in Allah and (in) what is revealed to us, and (in) what was revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the tribes, and (in) what was given to Moses and Jesus and to the prophets from their Lord; we make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we submit.
3:85
وَ مَنۡ یَّبۡتَغِ غَیۡرَ الۡاِسۡلَامِ دِیۡنًا فَلَنۡ یُّقۡبَلَ مِنۡہُ ۚ وَ ہُوَ فِی الۡاٰخِرَۃِ مِنَ الۡخٰسِرِیۡنَ ﴿۸۵﴾
And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will not be accepted from him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers.
The cosmopolitan nature of the religion of Islam having been clearly set forth in the previous verse, it is now stated that anyone who refused to accept such principles would unfailingly lose in the end. A Muslim accepts the whole truth, the truth as revealed to any prophet anywhere in the world, the truth as revealed to all mankind.
3:86
کَیۡفَ یَہۡدِی اللّٰہُ قَوۡمًا کَفَرُوۡا بَعۡدَ اِیۡمَانِہِمۡ وَ شَہِدُوۡۤا اَنَّ الرَّسُوۡلَ حَقٌّ وَّ جَآءَہُمُ الۡبَیِّنٰتُ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ لَا یَہۡدِی الۡقَوۡمَ الظّٰلِمِیۡنَ ﴿۸۶﴾
How shall Allah guide a people who disbelieved after their believing, and (after) they had borne witness that the Messenger was true, and clear arguments had come to them? And Allah does not guide the unjust people.
The persons meant are those who believed in the former prophets and disbelieved in the Holy Prophet Muhammad. Having clear signs of the Prophet’s truth with them, and professing a belief in the prophets who had foretold the advent of the last of the prophets, they still disbelieved in him.
3:87
اُولٰٓئِکَ جَزَآؤُہُمۡ اَنَّ عَلَیۡہِمۡ لَعۡنَۃَ اللّٰہِ وَ الۡمَلٰٓئِکَۃِ وَ النَّاسِ اَجۡمَعِیۡنَ ﴿ۙ۸۷﴾
As for these, their reward is that on them is the curse of Allah and the angels and of people, all together —
3:88
خٰلِدِیۡنَ فِیۡہَا ۚ لَا یُخَفَّفُ عَنۡہُمُ الۡعَذَابُ وَ لَا ہُمۡ یُنۡظَرُوۡنَ ﴿ۙ۸۸﴾
abiding in it. Their punishment shall not be lightened, nor shall they be given respite —
3:89
اِلَّا الَّذِیۡنَ تَابُوۡا مِنۡۢ بَعۡدِ ذٰلِکَ وَ اَصۡلَحُوۡا ۟ فَاِنَّ اللّٰہَ غَفُوۡرٌ رَّحِیۡمٌ ﴿۸۹﴾
except those who repent after that and amend, for surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
3:90
اِنَّ الَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوۡا بَعۡدَ اِیۡمَانِہِمۡ ثُمَّ ازۡدَادُوۡا کُفۡرًا لَّنۡ تُقۡبَلَ تَوۡبَتُہُمۡ ۚ وَ اُولٰٓئِکَ ہُمُ الضَّآلُّوۡنَ ﴿۹۰﴾
Those who disbelieve after their believing, then increase in disbelief, their repentance is not accepted, and these are they that go astray.
3:91
اِنَّ الَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوۡا وَ مَاتُوۡا وَ ہُمۡ کُفَّارٌ فَلَنۡ یُّقۡبَلَ مِنۡ اَحَدِہِمۡ مِّلۡءُ الۡاَرۡضِ ذَہَبًا وَّلَوِ افۡتَدٰی بِہٖ ؕ اُولٰٓئِکَ لَہُمۡ عَذَابٌ اَلِیۡمٌ وَّ مَا لَہُمۡ مِّنۡ نّٰصِرِیۡنَ ﴿٪۹۱﴾
Those who disbelieve and die while they are disbelievers, the earth full of gold will not be accepted from anyone of them, though he should offer it as ransom. These it is for whom is a painful punishment, and they shall have no helpers.
Section 10 (Verses 3:92–3:101): Ever-living Testimony to the Truth of Islam
3:92
لَنۡ تَنَالُوا الۡبِرَّ حَتّٰی تُنۡفِقُوۡا مِمَّا تُحِبُّوۡنَ ۬ؕ وَ مَا تُنۡفِقُوۡا مِنۡ شَیۡءٍ فَاِنَّ اللّٰہَ بِہٖ عَلِیۡمٌ ﴿۹۲﴾
You cannot attain to righteousness unless you spend (on good works) out of what you love. And what you spend, Allah surely knows it.
The connection with the last verse is clear. No wealth will buy redemption for a person if he has wasted his opportunity here, and to make the best of that opportunity a person must spend here what he loves most.
3:93
کُلُّ الطَّعَامِ کَانَ حِلًّا لِّبَنِیۡۤ اِسۡرَآءِیۡلَ اِلَّا مَا حَرَّمَ اِسۡرَآءِیۡلُ عَلٰی نَفۡسِہٖ مِنۡ قَبۡلِ اَنۡ تُنَزَّلَ التَّوۡرٰىۃُ ؕ قُلۡ فَاۡتُوۡا بِالتَّوۡرٰىۃِ فَاتۡلُوۡہَاۤ اِنۡ کُنۡتُمۡ صٰدِقِیۡنَ ﴿۹۳﴾
All food was lawful to the Children of Israel, before the Torah was revealed, except what Israel forbade himself. Say: Bring the Torah and read it, if you are truthful.
The Jews objected to the Muslims making use of certain foods which the law of Moses did not allow. An answer is given here that such foods were lawful for Abraham and his descendants, and Islam agreed in principle with the religion of Abraham. By all food is meant all food made lawful for Muslims.
3:94
فَمَنِ افۡتَرٰی عَلَی اللّٰہِ الۡکَذِبَ مِنۡۢ بَعۡدِ ذٰلِکَ فَاُولٰٓئِکَ ہُمُ الظّٰلِمُوۡنَ ﴿۹۴﴾
So whoever forges a lie against Allah after this, these are the wrongdoers.
3:95
قُلۡ صَدَقَ اللّٰہُ ۟ فَاتَّبِعُوۡا مِلَّۃَ اِبۡرٰہِیۡمَ حَنِیۡفًا ؕ وَ مَا کَانَ مِنَ الۡمُشۡرِکِیۡنَ ﴿۹۵﴾
Say: Allah speaks the truth; so follow the religion of Abraham, the upright one. And he was not one of those who set up partners (with Allah).
3:96
اِنَّ اَوَّلَ بَیۡتٍ وُّضِعَ لِلنَّاسِ لَلَّذِیۡ بِبَکَّۃَ مُبٰرَکًا وَّ ہُدًی لِّلۡعٰلَمِیۡنَ ﴿ۚ۹۶﴾
Certainly the first house appointed for mankind is the one at Bakkah, blessed and a guidance for the nations.
Bakkah is the same as Makkah (Mecca). The Temple at Jerusalem was erected long after Abraham, while the Holy House at Makkah was there even before Abraham, and was, in fact, the first House on earth for the worship of the Divine Being.
3:97
فِیۡہِ اٰیٰتٌۢ بَیِّنٰتٌ مَّقَامُ اِبۡرٰہِیۡمَ ۬ۚ وَ مَنۡ دَخَلَہٗ کَانَ اٰمِنًا ؕ وَ لِلّٰہِ عَلَی النَّاسِ حِجُّ الۡبَیۡتِ مَنِ اسۡتَطَاعَ اِلَیۡہِ سَبِیۡلًا ؕ وَ مَنۡ کَفَرَ فَاِنَّ اللّٰہَ غَنِیٌّ عَنِ الۡعٰلَمِیۡنَ ﴿۹۷﴾
In it are clear signs: (It is) the Place of Abraham; and whoever enters it is safe; and pilgrimage to the House is a duty which people owe to Allah — whoever can find a way to it. And whoever disbelieves, surely Allah is above need of the worlds.
There are three signs or prophecies here with regard to the future of Makkah. The first sign is that it is the Place of Abraham and hence the first prophecy is that the doctrine of the Unity of God will be proclaimed to the whole world from this centre. The second sign is that Makkah will always be secure, i.e., it shall not fall into the hands of an enemy who should destroy it. Thus its security is assured both physically and spiritually. The third prophecy is that a pilgrimage to the Sacred House shall continue to be made forever, and no power in the world shall ever be able to put a stop to it. The most striking fact about these prophecies is that they were all announced at a time when the Prophet and his followers had apparently been driven away forever from the Sacred Place, when that place was in the exclusive possession of an enemy who did not allow the Muslims to visit it, and when the small Muslim community was in danger of being utterly destroyed by that powerful enemy at any moment.
3:98
قُلۡ یٰۤاَہۡلَ الۡکِتٰبِ لِمَ تَکۡفُرُوۡنَ بِاٰیٰتِ اللّٰہِ ٭ۖ وَ اللّٰہُ شَہِیۡدٌ عَلٰی مَا تَعۡمَلُوۡنَ ﴿۹۸﴾
Say: O People of the Book, why do you disbelieve in the messages of Allah? And Allah is a witness of what you do.
3:99
قُلۡ یٰۤاَہۡلَ الۡکِتٰبِ لِمَ تَصُدُّوۡنَ عَنۡ سَبِیۡلِ اللّٰہِ مَنۡ اٰمَنَ تَبۡغُوۡنَہَا عِوَجًا وَّ اَنۡتُمۡ شُہَدَآءُ ؕ وَ مَا اللّٰہُ بِغَافِلٍ عَمَّا تَعۡمَلُوۡنَ ﴿۹۹﴾
Say: O People of the Book, why do you hinder those who believe from the way of Allah, seeking (to make) it crooked, while you are witnesses? And Allah is not heedless of what you do.
3:100
یٰۤاَیُّہَا الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡۤا اِنۡ تُطِیۡعُوۡا فَرِیۡقًا مِّنَ الَّذِیۡنَ اُوۡتُوا الۡکِتٰبَ یَرُدُّوۡکُمۡ بَعۡدَ اِیۡمَانِکُمۡ کٰفِرِیۡنَ ﴿۱۰۰﴾
O you who believe, if you obey some of those who have been given the Book, they will turn you back as disbelievers after your belief.
3:101
وَ کَیۡفَ تَکۡفُرُوۡنَ وَ اَنۡتُمۡ تُتۡلٰی عَلَیۡکُمۡ اٰیٰتُ اللّٰہِ وَ فِیۡکُمۡ رَسُوۡلُہٗ ؕ وَ مَنۡ یَّعۡتَصِمۡ بِاللّٰہِ فَقَدۡ ہُدِیَ اِلٰی صِرَاطٍ مُّسۡتَقِیۡمٍ ﴿۱۰۱﴾٪
And how can you disbelieve while to you are recited the messages of Allah, and among you is His Messenger? And whoever holds fast to Allah, he indeed is guided to a right path.
Section 11 (Verses 3:102–3:109): Muslims Exhorted to Remain United
3:102
یٰۤاَیُّہَا الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللّٰہَ حَقَّ تُقٰتِہٖ وَ لَا تَمُوۡتُنَّ اِلَّا وَ اَنۡتُمۡ مُّسۡلِمُوۡنَ ﴿۱۰۲﴾
O you who believe, keep your duty to Allah, as it ought to be kept, and do not die except as Muslims.
The Muslims are exhorted, first to be individually conscious of the duty they owe to God (v. 102), and then to remain united in carrying the message of Islam to the whole world (v. 103). Every Muslim must live a life of true submission to God, so that when death comes to him it should find him a Muslim. As v. 104 shows, the Muslim’s great duty, to which attention is called here, is the carrying of the message of Islam to others.
3:103
وَ اعۡتَصِمُوۡا بِحَبۡلِ اللّٰہِ جَمِیۡعًا وَّ لَا تَفَرَّقُوۡا ۪ وَ اذۡکُرُوۡا نِعۡمَتَ اللّٰہِ عَلَیۡکُمۡ اِذۡ کُنۡتُمۡ اَعۡدَآءً فَاَلَّفَ بَیۡنَ قُلُوۡبِکُمۡ فَاَصۡبَحۡتُمۡ بِنِعۡمَتِہٖۤ اِخۡوَانًا ۚ وَ کُنۡتُمۡ عَلٰی شَفَا حُفۡرَۃٍ مِّنَ النَّارِ فَاَنۡقَذَکُمۡ مِّنۡہَا ؕ کَذٰلِکَ یُبَیِّنُ اللّٰہُ لَکُمۡ اٰیٰتِہٖ لَعَلَّکُمۡ تَہۡتَدُوۡنَ ﴿۱۰۳﴾
And hold fast by the covenant of Allah all together and do not be disunited. And remember Allah’s favour to you when you were enemies, then He united your hearts so by His favour you became brethren. And you were on the brink of a pit of fire, then He saved you from it. Thus Allah makes clear to you His messages that you may be guided.
By the covenant of Allah is meant the Quran, a significance supported by sayings of the Holy Prophet. All Muslims, we are here told, should be united in holding fast to the Quran and carrying its message to other people.
3:104
وَلۡتَکُنۡ مِّنۡکُمۡ اُمَّۃٌ یَّدۡعُوۡنَ اِلَی الۡخَیۡرِ وَ یَاۡمُرُوۡنَ بِالۡمَعۡرُوۡفِ وَ یَنۡہَوۡنَ عَنِ الۡمُنۡکَرِ ؕ وَ اُولٰٓئِکَ ہُمُ الۡمُفۡلِحُوۡنَ ﴿۱۰۴﴾
And from among you there should be a community who invite to good and enjoin the right and forbid the wrong. And these are they who are successful.
This verse and 9:122 both direct Muslims to have always among them a missionary group, whose only object should be the propagation of Islam and rightly directing their own people. This is the most neglected injunction of the Quran in our day. Muslims have arrangements for all other things but have no arrangements for inviting people to the great truth revealed in the Quran.
3:105
وَ لَا تَکُوۡنُوۡا کَالَّذِیۡنَ تَفَرَّقُوۡا وَ اخۡتَلَفُوۡا مِنۡۢ بَعۡدِ مَا جَآءَہُمُ الۡبَیِّنٰتُ ؕ وَ اُولٰٓئِکَ لَہُمۡ عَذَابٌ عَظِیۡمٌ ﴿۱۰۵﴾ۙ
And do not be like those who became divided and disagreed after clear arguments had come to them. And for them is a grievous punishment.
3:106
یَّوۡمَ تَبۡیَضُّ وُجُوۡہٌ وَّ تَسۡوَدُّ وُجُوۡہٌ ۚ فَاَمَّا الَّذِیۡنَ اسۡوَدَّتۡ وُجُوۡہُہُمۡ ۟ اَکَفَرۡتُمۡ بَعۡدَ اِیۡمَانِکُمۡ فَذُوۡقُوا الۡعَذَابَ بِمَا کُنۡتُمۡ تَکۡفُرُوۡنَ ﴿۱۰۶﴾
On the day when (some) faces will brighten and (some) faces will darken. Then as to those whose faces are darkened: Did you disbelieve after your belief? So taste the punishment because you disbelieved.
By faces brightening is meant their being expressive of joy, and by their darkening is meant their being expressive of regret. (Editor’s Note: Physical colour of skin, white or black, is not meant here; compare 16:58: “And when the birth of a daughter is announced to one of them, his face becomes dark”.)
3:107
وَ اَمَّا الَّذِیۡنَ ابۡیَضَّتۡ وُجُوۡہُہُمۡ فَفِیۡ رَحۡمَۃِ اللّٰہِ ؕ ہُمۡ فِیۡہَا خٰلِدُوۡنَ ﴿۱۰۷﴾
And as to those whose faces are brightened, they shall be in Allah’s mercy. In it they shall abide.
3:108
تِلۡکَ اٰیٰتُ اللّٰہِ نَتۡلُوۡہَا عَلَیۡکَ بِالۡحَقِّ ؕ وَ مَا اللّٰہُ یُرِیۡدُ ظُلۡمًا لِّلۡعٰلَمِیۡنَ ﴿۱۰۸﴾
These are the messages of Allah which We recite to you with truth. And Allah desires no injustice to (His) creatures.
3:109
وَ لِلّٰہِ مَا فِی السَّمٰوٰتِ وَ مَا فِی الۡاَرۡضِ ؕ وَ اِلَی اللّٰہِ تُرۡجَعُ الۡاُمُوۡرُ ﴿۱۰۹﴾٪
And to Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth. And to Allah are all affairs returned.
Section 12 (Verses 3:110–3:120): Relations of Muslims with Jews
3:110
کُنۡتُمۡ خَیۡرَ اُمَّۃٍ اُخۡرِجَتۡ لِلنَّاسِ تَاۡمُرُوۡنَ بِالۡمَعۡرُوۡفِ وَ تَنۡہَوۡنَ عَنِ الۡمُنۡکَرِ وَ تُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ بِاللّٰہِ ؕ وَ لَوۡ اٰمَنَ اَہۡلُ الۡکِتٰبِ لَکَانَ خَیۡرًا لَّہُمۡ ؕ مِنۡہُمُ الۡمُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ وَ اَکۡثَرُہُمُ الۡفٰسِقُوۡنَ ﴿۱۱۰﴾
You are the best nation raised up for mankind: you enjoin good and forbid evil and you believe in Allah. And if the People of the Book had believed, it would have been better for them. Some of them are believers but most of them are transgressors.
The excellence of the Muslim people lies in their enjoining good and forbidding evil and in their great faith in Allah. If they lose these characteristics, they lose their excellence as well. Their excellence was no doubt due to the excellence of that Great Teacher who thoroughly purified them of the worst vices and made perfect the light within them.
3:111
لَنۡ یَّضُرُّوۡکُمۡ اِلَّاۤ اَذًی ؕ وَ اِنۡ یُّقَاتِلُوۡکُمۡ یُوَلُّوۡکُمُ الۡاَدۡبَارَ ۟ ثُمَّ لَا یُنۡصَرُوۡنَ ﴿۱۱۱﴾
They will not harm you except a slight hurt. And if they fight you, they will turn (their) backs to you. Then they will not be helped.
3:112
ضُرِبَتۡ عَلَیۡہِمُ الذِّلَّۃُ اَیۡنَ مَا ثُقِفُوۡۤا اِلَّا بِحَبۡلٍ مِّنَ اللّٰہِ وَ حَبۡلٍ مِّنَ النَّاسِ وَ بَآءُوۡ بِغَضَبٍ مِّنَ اللّٰہِ وَ ضُرِبَتۡ عَلَیۡہِمُ الۡمَسۡکَنَۃُ ؕ ذٰلِکَ بِاَنَّہُمۡ کَانُوۡا یَکۡفُرُوۡنَ بِاٰیٰتِ اللّٰہِ وَ یَقۡتُلُوۡنَ الۡاَنۡۢبِیَآءَ بِغَیۡرِ حَقٍّ ؕ ذٰلِکَ بِمَا عَصَوۡا وَّ کَانُوۡا یَعۡتَدُوۡنَ ﴿۱۱۲﴾٭
Degradation will be their lot wherever they are found, except under a covenant with Allah and a covenant with people, and they shall incur the wrath of Allah, and humiliation will be made to cling to them. This is because they disbelieved in the messages of Allah and killed the prophets unjustly. This is because they disobeyed and exceeded the limits.
The Jews had already been subjected to disgrace before the appearance of the Prophet. But with the advent of Islam they could better their condition either by accepting the covenant of Allah, by which is meant the acceptance of Islam, or by making a compact of security with such people as could give them protection. This remains true to this day.
3:113
لَیۡسُوۡا سَوَآءً ؕ مِنۡ اَہۡلِ الۡکِتٰبِ اُمَّۃٌ قَآئِمَۃٌ یَّتۡلُوۡنَ اٰیٰتِ اللّٰہِ اٰنَآءَ الَّیۡلِ وَ ہُمۡ یَسۡجُدُوۡنَ ﴿۱۱۳﴾
They are not all alike. Of the People of the Book some are upright — they recite Allah’s messages in the night-time and they adore (Him).
3:114
یُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ بِاللّٰہِ وَ الۡیَوۡمِ الۡاٰخِرِ وَ یَاۡمُرُوۡنَ بِالۡمَعۡرُوۡفِ وَ یَنۡہَوۡنَ عَنِ الۡمُنۡکَرِ وَ یُسَارِعُوۡنَ فِی الۡخَیۡرٰتِ ؕ وَ اُولٰٓئِکَ مِنَ الصّٰلِحِیۡنَ ﴿۱۱۴﴾
They believe in Allah and the Last Day, and they enjoin good and forbid evil and hasten in (doing) good deeds. And those are among the righteous.
3:115
وَ مَا یَفۡعَلُوۡا مِنۡ خَیۡرٍ فَلَنۡ یُّکۡفَرُوۡہُ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ عَلِیۡمٌۢ بِالۡمُتَّقِیۡنَ ﴿۱۱۵﴾
And whatever good they do, they will not be denied it. And Allah knows those who keep their duty.
These verses speak of the good among the Jews and the Christians. The Quran does not deny that there is good in others, its own eminence lying in the fact that it makes man attain the highest degree of perfection in goodness. Thus the description of the upright among the followers of the Book concludes with the words: whatever good they do, they will not be denied it.
3:116
اِنَّ الَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوۡا لَنۡ تُغۡنِیَ عَنۡہُمۡ اَمۡوَالُہُمۡ وَ لَاۤ اَوۡلَادُہُمۡ مِّنَ اللّٰہِ شَیۡـًٔا ؕ وَ اُولٰٓئِکَ اَصۡحٰبُ النَّارِ ۚ ہُمۡ فِیۡہَا خٰلِدُوۡنَ ﴿۱۱۶﴾
Those who disbelieve, neither their wealth nor their children will avail them at all against Allah. And these are the companions of the Fire; in it they abide.
3:117
مَثَلُ مَا یُنۡفِقُوۡنَ فِیۡ ہٰذِہِ الۡحَیٰوۃِ الدُّنۡیَا کَمَثَلِ رِیۡحٍ فِیۡہَا صِرٌّ اَصَابَتۡ حَرۡثَ قَوۡمٍ ظَلَمُوۡۤا اَنۡفُسَہُمۡ فَاَہۡلَکَتۡہُ ؕ وَ مَا ظَلَمَہُمُ اللّٰہُ وَ لٰکِنۡ اَنۡفُسَہُمۡ یَظۡلِمُوۡنَ ﴿۱۱۷﴾
The likeness of what they spend in the life of this world is as the likeness of wind in which is intense cold; it strikes the harvest of a people who are unjust to themselves and destroys it. And Allah did not wrong them but they wronged themselves.
3:118
یٰۤاَیُّہَا الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا لَا تَتَّخِذُوۡا بِطَانَۃً مِّنۡ دُوۡنِکُمۡ لَا یَاۡلُوۡنَکُمۡ خَبَالًا ؕ وَدُّوۡا مَا عَنِتُّمۡ ۚ قَدۡ بَدَتِ الۡبَغۡضَآءُ مِنۡ اَفۡوَاہِہِمۡ ۚۖ وَ مَا تُخۡفِیۡ صُدُوۡرُہُمۡ اَکۡبَرُ ؕ قَدۡ بَیَّنَّا لَکُمُ الۡاٰیٰتِ اِنۡ کُنۡتُمۡ تَعۡقِلُوۡنَ ﴿۱۱۸﴾
O you who believe, do not take for intimate friends others than your own people: they spare no pains to cause you loss. They love whatever distresses you. Vehement hatred has already appeared from out of their mouths, and what their hearts conceal is greater still. Indeed We have made the messages clear to you, if you understand.
As the context shows, these people made war on the Muslims and wished to cause them loss. Hence Muslims could not be friendly with them.
3:119
ہٰۤاَنۡتُمۡ اُولَآءِ تُحِبُّوۡنَہُمۡ وَ لَا یُحِبُّوۡنَکُمۡ وَ تُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ بِالۡکِتٰبِ کُلِّہٖ ۚ وَ اِذَا لَقُوۡکُمۡ قَالُوۡۤا اٰمَنَّا ۚ٭ۖ وَ اِذَا خَلَوۡا عَضُّوۡا عَلَیۡکُمُ الۡاَنَامِلَ مِنَ الۡغَیۡظِ ؕ قُلۡ مُوۡتُوۡا بِغَیۡظِکُمۡ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ عَلِیۡمٌۢ بِذَاتِ الصُّدُوۡرِ ﴿۱۱۹﴾
Look! You are the ones who will love them while they do not love you, and you believe in the Book, (in) the whole of it. And when they meet you they say, We believe, and when they are alone, they bite (their) finger tips in rage against you. Say: Die in your rage. Surely Allah is Knower of what is in the hearts.
This verse clearly indicates the difficulties which the Muslims had in establishing friendly and loving relations with non-Muslims. The Muslims would offer friendship, but the other party was always on the look-out for some opportunity to inflict loss on them.
3:120
اِنۡ تَمۡسَسۡکُمۡ حَسَنَۃٌ تَسُؤۡہُمۡ ۫ وَ اِنۡ تُصِبۡکُمۡ سَیِّئَۃٌ یَّفۡرَحُوۡا بِہَا ؕ وَ اِنۡ تَصۡبِرُوۡا وَ تَتَّقُوۡا لَا یَضُرُّکُمۡ کَیۡدُہُمۡ شَیۡـًٔا ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ بِمَا یَعۡمَلُوۡنَ مُحِیۡطٌ ﴿۱۲۰﴾٪
If good befalls you, it grieves them, and if an evil afflicts you, they rejoice at it. And if you are patient and keep your duty, their struggle will not injure you in any way. Surely Allah encompasses what they do.
Section 13 (Verses 3:121–3:129): The Battle of Uhud
3:121
وَ اِذۡ غَدَوۡتَ مِنۡ اَہۡلِکَ تُبَوِّیُٔ الۡمُؤۡمِنِیۡنَ مَقَاعِدَ لِلۡقِتَالِ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ سَمِیۡعٌ عَلِیۡمٌ ﴿۱۲۱﴾ۙ
And when you went forth early in the morning from your family, to assign to the believers their positions for the battle. And Allah is Hearing, Knowing.
Much of the rest of this chapter is devoted to the events of the battle of Uhud. In 3 A.H. the Quraish marched against Madinah. The Prophet at first intended to stay within the town, but afterwards marched into the open field with a thousand men, one-third of whom, under the leadership of Abdullah ibn Ubayy, the hypocrite leader, left him and returned to Madinah. The enemy were first completely routed, but fifty Muslim archers, who were placed in a strong position to cut off the retreat of the enemy, made a mistake, and in order to join in the pursuit left their position. The enemy fell back upon the Muslims who were now in disorder and had lost their naturally fortified position, and after inflicting some loss upon them, left the field secure from the pursuit of the Muslim force. It was not a victory for the Quraish, who thought it safe to go back when they found the Muslims involved in their own troubles. They could not take a single prisoner of war, nor had they the courage to attack Madinah, which they did two years later with a very strong force.
3:122
اِذۡ ہَمَّتۡ طَّآئِفَتٰنِ مِنۡکُمۡ اَنۡ تَفۡشَلَا ۙ وَ اللّٰہُ وَلِیُّہُمَا ؕ وَ عَلَی اللّٰہِ فَلۡیَتَوَکَّلِ الۡمُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ ﴿۱۲۲﴾
When two parties from among you thought of showing cowardice, and Allah was the Guardian of them both. And in Allah should the believers trust.
3:123
وَ لَقَدۡ نَصَرَکُمُ اللّٰہُ بِبَدۡرٍ وَّ اَنۡتُمۡ اَذِلَّۃٌ ۚ فَاتَّقُوا اللّٰہَ لَعَلَّکُمۡ تَشۡکُرُوۡنَ ﴿۱۲۳﴾
And Allah certainly helped you at Badr when you were weak. So keep your duty to Allah that you may give thanks.
3:124
اِذۡ تَقُوۡلُ لِلۡمُؤۡمِنِیۡنَ اَلَنۡ یَّکۡفِیَکُمۡ اَنۡ یُّمِدَّکُمۡ رَبُّکُمۡ بِثَلٰثَۃِ اٰلٰفٍ مِّنَ الۡمَلٰٓئِکَۃِ مُنۡزَلِیۡنَ ﴿۱۲۴﴾ؕ
When you said to the believers: Is it not sufficient for you that your Lord should help you with three thousand angels sent down?
The promise of the coming of angels is fully explained in the 8th chapter in connection with the battle of Badr. As here, it is first stated there that the promise was given only “as good news, and that your hearts might be at ease by it” (8:10). Then it is made further clear there that the believers were strengthened and made firm while terror was cast into the hearts of their enemy. This was the result of the action of the angels upon the hearts.
3:125
بَلٰۤی ۙ اِنۡ تَصۡبِرُوۡا وَ تَتَّقُوۡا وَ یَاۡتُوۡکُمۡ مِّنۡ فَوۡرِہِمۡ ہٰذَا یُمۡدِدۡکُمۡ رَبُّکُمۡ بِخَمۡسَۃِ اٰلٰفٍ مِّنَ الۡمَلٰٓئِکَۃِ مُسَوِّمِیۡنَ ﴿۱۲۵﴾
Indeed, if you are steadfast and keep your duty, and they come upon you in a headlong manner, your Lord will assist you with five thousand of havoc-making angels.
The assistance of the angels stated in this verse refers to a third occasion, when the enemy came “in a headlong manner”, all the tribes uniting with the Quraish to crush the Muslims. This happened in the battle of Aḥzāb, or the Allies, when the Quraish, numbering about five thousand, with the help of allied forces, the total strength being more than ten thousand, suddenly attacked Madinah. The dispersal of such a large army when the Muslims were only about fourteen hundred was no doubt due to Divine help, sent through angelic hosts.
3:126
وَ مَا جَعَلَہُ اللّٰہُ اِلَّا بُشۡرٰی لَکُمۡ وَ لِتَطۡمَئِنَّ قُلُوۡبُکُمۡ بِہٖ ؕ وَ مَا النَّصۡرُ اِلَّا مِنۡ عِنۡدِ اللّٰہِ الۡعَزِیۡزِ الۡحَکِیۡمِ ﴿۱۲۶﴾ۙ
And Allah made it only as good news for you, and that your hearts might be at ease by it. And help comes only from Allah, the Mighty, the Wise,
3:127
لِیَقۡطَعَ طَرَفًا مِّنَ الَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوۡۤا اَوۡ یَکۡبِتَہُمۡ فَیَنۡقَلِبُوۡا خَآئِبِیۡنَ ﴿۱۲۷﴾
that He may cut off a part of those who disbelieve or humble them so that they should return in failure.
Although the object of the disbelievers was to extirpate the Muslims by war, God’s aim was not to destroy all the disbelievers by defeat but to cut off their ringleaders and chiefs. The word translated as “a part”, ṭaraf, also means the leading men. When the leaders of mischief were cut off, the rest would be disappointed of attaining the object of extirpating Islam, and persecution would cease.
3:128
لَیۡسَ لَکَ مِنَ الۡاَمۡرِ شَیۡءٌ اَوۡ یَتُوۡبَ عَلَیۡہِمۡ اَوۡ یُعَذِّبَہُمۡ فَاِنَّہُمۡ ظٰلِمُوۡنَ ﴿۱۲۸﴾
You have no concern in the matter whether He turns to them (mercifully) or punishes them; surely they are wrongdoers.
As a mortal the Prophet might have sometimes desired a severe punishment for his enemies; but he is told that it was not his concern, for Allah might as well forgive them, even though they deserved punishment. The all-comprehensiveness of the Divine mercy expressed in this verse is unapproached in sacred literature.
3:129
وَ لِلّٰہِ مَا فِی السَّمٰوٰتِ وَ مَا فِی الۡاَرۡضِ ؕ یَغۡفِرُ لِمَنۡ یَّشَآءُ وَ یُعَذِّبُ مَنۡ یَّشَآءُ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ غَفُوۡرٌ رَّحِیۡمٌ ﴿۱۲۹﴾٪
And to Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth. He forgives whom He pleases and punishes whom He pleases. And Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
Section 14 (Verses 3:130–3:143): What Success Meant for Muslims
3:130
یٰۤاَیُّہَا الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا لَا تَاۡکُلُوا الرِّبٰۤوا اَضۡعَافًا مُّضٰعَفَۃً ۪ وَ اتَّقُوا اللّٰہَ لَعَلَّکُمۡ تُفۡلِحُوۡنَ ﴿۱۳۰﴾ۚ
O you who believe, do not devour usury, doubling and redoubling, and keep your duty to Allah, that you may be successful.
3:131
وَ اتَّقُوا النَّارَ الَّتِیۡۤ اُعِدَّتۡ لِلۡکٰفِرِیۡنَ ﴿۱۳۱﴾ۚ
And guard yourselves against the fire which has been prepared for the disbelievers.
The fire in this case is excessive love of wealth. See chapter 104.
3:132
وَ اَطِیۡعُوا اللّٰہَ وَ الرَّسُوۡلَ لَعَلَّکُمۡ تُرۡحَمُوۡنَ ﴿۱۳۲﴾ۚ
And obey Allah and the Messenger, that you may be shown mercy.
3:133
وَ سَارِعُوۡۤا اِلٰی مَغۡفِرَۃٍ مِّنۡ رَّبِّکُمۡ وَ جَنَّۃٍ عَرۡضُہَا السَّمٰوٰتُ وَ الۡاَرۡضُ ۙ اُعِدَّتۡ لِلۡمُتَّقِیۡنَ ﴿۱۳۳﴾ۙ
And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a Garden, as wide as the heavens and the earth; it is prepared for those who keep their duty:
3:134
الَّذِیۡنَ یُنۡفِقُوۡنَ فِی السَّرَّآءِ وَ الضَّرَّآءِ وَ الۡکٰظِمِیۡنَ الۡغَیۡظَ وَ الۡعَافِیۡنَ عَنِ النَّاسِ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ یُحِبُّ الۡمُحۡسِنِیۡنَ ﴿۱۳۴﴾ۚ
Those who spend in ease as well as in adversity and those who restrain (their) anger and pardon people. And Allah loves the doers of good (to others).
Restraining of anger, pardoning, and doing good to others, besides being great moral qualities, strengthen the bond of union which is so necessary for success. The verse has on many occasions inspired Muslims with the noblest thoughts of toleration and charitableness.
3:135
وَ الَّذِیۡنَ اِذَا فَعَلُوۡا فَاحِشَۃً اَوۡ ظَلَمُوۡۤا اَنۡفُسَہُمۡ ذَکَرُوا اللّٰہَ فَاسۡتَغۡفَرُوۡا لِذُنُوۡبِہِمۡ ۪ وَ مَنۡ یَّغۡفِرُ الذُّنُوۡبَ اِلَّا اللّٰہُ ۪۟ وَ لَمۡ یُصِرُّوۡا عَلٰی مَا فَعَلُوۡا وَ ہُمۡ یَعۡلَمُوۡنَ ﴿۱۳۵﴾
And those who, when they commit an indecency or wrong their souls, remember Allah and ask forgiveness for their sins. And who forgives sins but Allah? And they do not persist knowingly in what they do.
3:136
اُولٰٓئِکَ جَزَآؤُہُمۡ مَّغۡفِرَۃٌ مِّنۡ رَّبِّہِمۡ وَ جَنّٰتٌ تَجۡرِیۡ مِنۡ تَحۡتِہَا الۡاَنۡہٰرُ خٰلِدِیۡنَ فِیۡہَا ؕ وَ نِعۡمَ اَجۡرُ الۡعٰمِلِیۡنَ ﴿۱۳۶﴾ؕ
Their reward is protection from their Lord, and Gardens in which rivers flow, to abide in them. And excellent is the reward of the workers!
3:137
قَدۡ خَلَتۡ مِنۡ قَبۡلِکُمۡ سُنَنٌ ۙ فَسِیۡرُوۡا فِی الۡاَرۡضِ فَانۡظُرُوۡا کَیۡفَ کَانَ عَاقِبَۃُ الۡمُکَذِّبِیۡنَ ﴿۱۳۷﴾
Indeed there have been examples before you; so travel in the earth and see what was the end of the deniers.
3:138
ہٰذَا بَیَانٌ لِّلنَّاسِ وَ ہُدًی وَّ مَوۡعِظَۃٌ لِّلۡمُتَّقِیۡنَ ﴿۱۳۸﴾
This is a clear statement for mankind, and a guidance and an admonition to those who would keep their duty.
3:139
وَ لَا تَہِنُوۡا وَ لَا تَحۡزَنُوۡا وَ اَنۡتُمُ الۡاَعۡلَوۡنَ اِنۡ کُنۡتُمۡ مُّؤۡمِنِیۡنَ ﴿۱۳۹﴾
And do not be weak-hearted, nor grieve, and you will have the upper hand if you are believers.
3:140
اِنۡ یَّمۡسَسۡکُمۡ قَرۡحٌ فَقَدۡ مَسَّ الۡقَوۡمَ قَرۡحٌ مِّثۡلُہٗ ؕ وَ تِلۡکَ الۡاَیَّامُ نُدَاوِلُہَا بَیۡنَ النَّاسِ ۚ وَ لِیَعۡلَمَ اللّٰہُ الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا وَ یَتَّخِذَ مِنۡکُمۡ شُہَدَآءَ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ لَا یُحِبُّ الظّٰلِمِیۡنَ ﴿۱۴۰﴾ۙ
If a wound has afflicted you, a wound like it has also afflicted the (disbelieving) people. And We bring these days to people by turns, that Allah may know those who believe and (He may) take witnesses from among you. And Allah does not love the wrongdoers,
Allah knows all that is seen or unseen. The knowing here and the not knowing in v. 142 refer to the knowledge of the event actually having taken place.
3:141
وَ لِیُمَحِّصَ اللّٰہُ الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا وَ یَمۡحَقَ الۡکٰفِرِیۡنَ ﴿۱۴۱﴾
and that He may purge those who believe and deprive the disbelievers of blessings.
3:142
اَمۡ حَسِبۡتُمۡ اَنۡ تَدۡخُلُوا الۡجَنَّۃَ وَ لَمَّا یَعۡلَمِ اللّٰہُ الَّذِیۡنَ جٰہَدُوۡا مِنۡکُمۡ وَ یَعۡلَمَ الصّٰبِرِیۡنَ ﴿۱۴۲﴾
Do you think that you will enter the Garden while Allah has not yet known those from among you who strive hard (nor) known the steadfast?
3:143
وَ لَقَدۡ کُنۡتُمۡ تَمَنَّوۡنَ الۡمَوۡتَ مِنۡ قَبۡلِ اَنۡ تَلۡقَوۡہُ ۪ فَقَدۡ رَاَیۡتُمُوۡہُ وَ اَنۡتُمۡ تَنۡظُرُوۡنَ ﴿۱۴۳﴾٪
And certainly you desired death before you met it. So indeed you have seen it now as you look.
This refers to the desire of those who insisted that they should meet the enemy in the open field, while the Holy Prophet’s own desire was that the Muslims should defend themselves within Madinah.
Section 15 (Verses 3:144–3:148): Sufferings to be met with Perseverance
3:144
وَ مَا مُحَمَّدٌ اِلَّا رَسُوۡلٌ ۚ قَدۡ خَلَتۡ مِنۡ قَبۡلِہِ الرُّسُلُ ؕ اَفَا۠ئِنۡ مَّاتَ اَوۡ قُتِلَ انۡقَلَبۡتُمۡ عَلٰۤی اَعۡقَابِکُمۡ ؕ وَ مَنۡ یَّنۡقَلِبۡ عَلٰی عَقِبَیۡہِ فَلَنۡ یَّضُرَّ اللّٰہَ شَیۡئًا ؕ وَ سَیَجۡزِی اللّٰہُ الشّٰکِرِیۡنَ ﴿۱۴۴﴾
And Muhammad is but a messenger — messengers have already passed away before him. If then he dies or is killed, will you turn back upon your heels? And he who turns back upon his heels will do no harm at all to Allah. And Allah will reward the grateful.
The Prophet received severe wounds in the battle of Uhud; there was even a rumour that he was killed. Even if the Prophet were killed, Islam was so far superior to all forms of faith that the Muslims could not give up Islam. This verse served another important purpose at the death of the Prophet. Some of the Companions thought that he was not dead. Abu Bakr went in, and seeing that life had departed, ascended the pulpit and read this verse, which had a magical effect upon his hearers, all of them being convinced that the Prophet had passed away, as all prophets had passed away before him. The prophets were but mortals, and their span of mortal life must no doubt terminate like that of other mortals. This verse affords a conclusive proof that Jesus was also dead; otherwise Abu Bakr’s argument could not have silenced the doubters of the Prophet’s death.
3:145
وَ مَا کَانَ لِنَفۡسٍ اَنۡ تَمُوۡتَ اِلَّا بِاِذۡنِ اللّٰہِ کِتٰبًا مُّؤَجَّلًا ؕ وَ مَنۡ یُّرِدۡ ثَوَابَ الدُّنۡیَا نُؤۡتِہٖ مِنۡہَا ۚ وَ مَنۡ یُّرِدۡ ثَوَابَ الۡاٰخِرَۃِ نُؤۡتِہٖ مِنۡہَا ؕ وَ سَنَجۡزِی الشّٰکِرِیۡنَ ﴿۱۴۵﴾
And no soul can die but with Allah’s permission — the term is fixed. And whoever desires the reward of this world, We give him of it, and whoever desires the reward of the Hereafter, We give him of it. And We shall reward the grateful.
3:146
وَ کَاَیِّنۡ مِّنۡ نَّبِیٍّ قٰتَلَ ۙ مَعَہٗ رِبِّیُّوۡنَ کَثِیۡرٌ ۚ فَمَا وَہَنُوۡا لِمَاۤ اَصَابَہُمۡ فِیۡ سَبِیۡلِ اللّٰہِ وَ مَا ضَعُفُوۡا وَ مَا اسۡتَکَانُوۡا ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ یُحِبُّ الصّٰبِرِیۡنَ ﴿۱۴۶﴾
And how many a prophet has fought, with whom were many worshippers of the Lord. So they did not lose heart on account of what befell them in Allah’s way, nor did they weaken, nor did they disgrace themselves. And Allah loves the steadfast.
3:147
وَ مَا کَانَ قَوۡلَہُمۡ اِلَّاۤ اَنۡ قَالُوۡا رَبَّنَا اغۡفِرۡ لَنَا ذُنُوۡبَنَا وَ اِسۡرَافَنَا فِیۡۤ اَمۡرِنَا وَ ثَبِّتۡ اَقۡدَامَنَا وَ انۡصُرۡنَا عَلَی الۡقَوۡمِ الۡکٰفِرِیۡنَ ﴿۱۴۷﴾
And their cry was only that they said: Our Lord, grant us protection from our sins and our extravagance in our affair, and make firm our feet and grant us victory over the disbelieving people.
3:148
فَاٰتٰىہُمُ اللّٰہُ ثَوَابَ الدُّنۡیَا وَ حُسۡنَ ثَوَابِ الۡاٰخِرَۃِ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ یُحِبُّ الۡمُحۡسِنِیۡنَ ﴿۱۴۸﴾٪
So Allah gave them the reward of the world and a good reward of the Hereafter. And Allah loves the doers of good (to others).
Section 16 (Verses 3:149–3:155): Causes of Misfortune in Battle of Uhud
3:149
یٰۤاَیُّہَا الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡۤا اِنۡ تُطِیۡعُوا الَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوۡا یَرُدُّوۡکُمۡ عَلٰۤی اَعۡقَابِکُمۡ فَتَنۡقَلِبُوۡا خٰسِرِیۡنَ ﴿۱۴۹﴾
O you who believe, if you obey those who disbelieve, they will make you turn back upon your heels, so you will turn back losers.
The war was carried on only with the object of making the Muslims renounce their religion, and hence they could not think of accepting the disbelievers as their rulers.
3:150
بَلِ اللّٰہُ مَوۡلٰىکُمۡ ۚ وَ ہُوَ خَیۡرُ النّٰصِرِیۡنَ ﴿۱۵۰﴾
Rather, Allah is your Patron, and He is the Best of the helpers.
3:151
سَنُلۡقِیۡ فِیۡ قُلُوۡبِ الَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوا الرُّعۡبَ بِمَاۤ اَشۡرَکُوۡا بِاللّٰہِ مَا لَمۡ یُنَزِّلۡ بِہٖ سُلۡطٰنًا ۚ وَ مَاۡوٰىہُمُ النَّارُ ؕ وَ بِئۡسَ مَثۡوَی الظّٰلِمِیۡنَ ﴿۱۵۱﴾
We will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve because they set up partners with Allah for which He has sent down no authority, and their abode is the Fire. And evil is the abode of the wrongdoers.
The Muslims were less than one-fourth of their opponents, being at the same time not so well equipped as their foes, and in spite of the disorder into which the Muslim forces had fallen, the enemy had to flee, leaving the Muslims in the field, not even making a show of attacking Madinah, which was quite defenceless. This clearly shows that they were terror-stricken.
3:152
وَ لَقَدۡ صَدَقَکُمُ اللّٰہُ وَعۡدَہٗۤ اِذۡ تَحُسُّوۡنَہُمۡ بِاِذۡنِہٖ ۚ حَتّٰۤی اِذَا فَشِلۡتُمۡ وَ تَنَازَعۡتُمۡ فِی الۡاَمۡرِ وَ عَصَیۡتُمۡ مِّنۡۢ بَعۡدِ مَاۤ اَرٰىکُمۡ مَّا تُحِبُّوۡنَ ؕ مِنۡکُمۡ مَّنۡ یُّرِیۡدُ الدُّنۡیَا وَ مِنۡکُمۡ مَّنۡ یُّرِیۡدُ الۡاٰخِرَۃَ ۚ ثُمَّ صَرَفَکُمۡ عَنۡہُمۡ لِیَبۡتَلِیَکُمۡ ۚ وَ لَقَدۡ عَفَا عَنۡکُمۡ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ ذُوۡ فَضۡلٍ عَلَی الۡمُؤۡمِنِیۡنَ ﴿۱۵۲﴾
And Allah certainly made good His promise to you when you slew them by His permission, until you became weak-hearted and disputed about the affair and disobeyed after He had shown you what you loved. Some of you desired this world, and some of you desired the Hereafter. Then He turned you away from them that He might try you; and He has indeed pardoned you. And Allah is Gracious to the believers.
The weak-heartedness of a part of the archers who were placed in an important position to cut off the enemy’s retreat consisted in their disobeying the clear orders of the Prophet: “If you see us overcoming the enemy do not leave your position, and if you see the enemy overcoming us, do not leave your position”. But they fell a prey to the love of the world and left their position to get a share in the booty when they saw the enemy fleeing before the Muslim onrush.
3:153
اِذۡ تُصۡعِدُوۡنَ وَ لَا تَلۡوٗنَ عَلٰۤی اَحَدٍ وَّ الرَّسُوۡلُ یَدۡعُوۡکُمۡ فِیۡۤ اُخۡرٰىکُمۡ فَاَثَابَکُمۡ غَمًّۢا بِغَمٍّ لِّکَیۡلَا تَحۡزَنُوۡا عَلٰی مَا فَاتَکُمۡ وَ لَا مَاۤ اَصَابَکُمۡ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ خَبِیۡرٌۢ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُوۡنَ ﴿۱۵۳﴾
When you went away far, and paid no heed to anyone, and the Messenger was calling you in your rear. So He gave you (another) grief for (your) first grief that you might not grieve at what escaped you, nor (at) what befell you. And Allah is Aware of what you do.
It refers to the Prophet’s call, at whom the Muslims now saw that the attack of the enemy was directed. So they did not grieve for losing an opportunity of pursuing the enemy, but for the dangerous position in which they saw the Prophet.
3:154
ثُمَّ اَنۡزَلَ عَلَیۡکُمۡ مِّنۡۢ بَعۡدِ الۡغَمِّ اَمَنَۃً نُّعَاسًا یَّغۡشٰی طَآئِفَۃً مِّنۡکُمۡ ۙ وَ طَآئِفَۃٌ قَدۡ اَہَمَّتۡہُمۡ اَنۡفُسُہُمۡ یَظُنُّوۡنَ بِاللّٰہِ غَیۡرَ الۡحَقِّ ظَنَّ الۡجَاہِلِیَّۃِ ؕ یَقُوۡلُوۡنَ ہَلۡ لَّنَا مِنَ الۡاَمۡرِ مِنۡ شَیۡءٍ ؕ قُلۡ اِنَّ الۡاَمۡرَ کُلَّہٗ لِلّٰہِ ؕ یُخۡفُوۡنَ فِیۡۤ اَنۡفُسِہِمۡ مَّا لَا یُبۡدُوۡنَ لَکَ ؕ یَقُوۡلُوۡنَ لَوۡ کَانَ لَنَا مِنَ الۡاَمۡرِ شَیۡءٌ مَّا قُتِلۡنَا ہٰہُنَا ؕ قُلۡ لَّوۡ کُنۡتُمۡ فِیۡ بُیُوۡتِکُمۡ لَبَرَزَ الَّذِیۡنَ کُتِبَ عَلَیۡہِمُ الۡقَتۡلُ اِلٰی مَضَاجِعِہِمۡ ۚ وَ لِیَبۡتَلِیَ اللّٰہُ مَا فِیۡ صُدُوۡرِکُمۡ وَ لِیُمَحِّصَ مَا فِیۡ قُلُوۡبِکُمۡ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ عَلِیۡمٌۢ بِذَاتِ الصُّدُوۡرِ ﴿۱۵۴﴾
Then after grief He sent down security on you, slumber overcoming a group of you, while (there was) another group whom their own minds had made anxious — they entertained about Allah thoughts of ignorance quite unjustly. They said: Have we any hand in the affair? Say: The affair is wholly (in the hands) of Allah. They hide within themselves what they would not reveal to you. They say: If we had any hand in the affair, we would not have been slain here. Say: Had you remained in your houses, those for whom slaughter was ordained would have gone forth to the places where they would be slain. And (this happened) that Allah might test what was in your minds and that He might purge what was in your hearts. And Allah is Knower of what is in the minds.
This happened when the enemy departed. The slumber was a sign of security.
3:155
اِنَّ الَّذِیۡنَ تَوَلَّوۡا مِنۡکُمۡ یَوۡمَ الۡتَقَی الۡجَمۡعٰنِ ۙ اِنَّمَا اسۡتَزَلَّہُمُ الشَّیۡطٰنُ بِبَعۡضِ مَا کَسَبُوۡا ۚ وَ لَقَدۡ عَفَا اللّٰہُ عَنۡہُمۡ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ غَفُوۡرٌ حَلِیۡمٌ ﴿۱۵۵﴾٪
Those of you who turned back on the day when the two armies met, only the devil sought to cause them to make a slip on account of some deeds they had done, and certainly Allah has pardoned them. Surely Allah is Forgiving, Forbearing.
The persons spoken of here are those who were unable to join the main Muslim army and fled to Madinah, or in some other direction. It was a slip on their part, not intentional disobedience, and God granted them a free pardon.
Section 17 (Verses 3:156–3:171): Battle of Uhud Afforded a Distinction
3:156
یٰۤاَیُّہَا الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا لَا تَکُوۡنُوۡا کَالَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوۡا وَ قَالُوۡا لِاِخۡوَانِہِمۡ اِذَا ضَرَبُوۡا فِی الۡاَرۡضِ اَوۡ کَانُوۡا غُزًّی لَّوۡ کَانُوۡا عِنۡدَنَا مَا مَاتُوۡا وَ مَا قُتِلُوۡا ۚ لِیَجۡعَلَ اللّٰہُ ذٰلِکَ حَسۡرَۃً فِیۡ قُلُوۡبِہِمۡ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ یُحۡیٖ وَ یُمِیۡتُ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُوۡنَ بَصِیۡرٌ ﴿۱۵۶﴾
O you who believe, do not be like those who disbelieve and say of their brethren when they travel in the earth or engage in fighting: If they had been with us, they would not have died, or been killed; that Allah may make it a regret in their hearts. And Allah gives life and causes death. And Allah is Seer of what you do.
By “their brethren” are meant their relatives who were sincere in professing Islam, and who had to lay down their lives in defence of their faith.
3:157
وَ لَئِنۡ قُتِلۡتُمۡ فِیۡ سَبِیۡلِ اللّٰہِ اَوۡ مُتُّمۡ لَمَغۡفِرَۃٌ مِّنَ اللّٰہِ وَ رَحۡمَۃٌ خَیۡرٌ مِّمَّا یَجۡمَعُوۡنَ ﴿۱۵۷﴾
And if you are killed in Allah’s way or you die, surely Allah’s protection and (His) mercy are better than what they amass.
3:158
وَ لَئِنۡ مُّتُّمۡ اَوۡ قُتِلۡتُمۡ لَاِالَی اللّٰہِ تُحۡشَرُوۡنَ ﴿۱۵۸﴾
And if you die or you are killed, to Allah you are gathered.
3:159
فَبِمَا رَحۡمَۃٍ مِّنَ اللّٰہِ لِنۡتَ لَہُمۡ ۚ وَ لَوۡ کُنۡتَ فَظًّا غَلِیۡظَ الۡقَلۡبِ لَانۡفَضُّوۡا مِنۡ حَوۡلِکَ ۪ فَاعۡفُ عَنۡہُمۡ وَ اسۡتَغۡفِرۡ لَہُمۡ وَ شَاوِرۡہُمۡ فِی الۡاَمۡرِ ۚ فَاِذَا عَزَمۡتَ فَتَوَکَّلۡ عَلَی اللّٰہِ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ یُحِبُّ الۡمُتَوَکِّلِیۡنَ ﴿۱۵۹﴾
Thus it is by Allah’s mercy that you are gentle to them. And if you had been rough, hard-hearted, they would certainly have dispersed from around you. So pardon them and ask protection for them, and consult them in (important) matters. But when you have determined, put your trust in Allah. Surely Allah loves those who trust (in Him).
The Quran calls attention to the Prophet’s gentle dealing with those around him when speaking of his experience in the field of battle as a general, a capacity which required him to be very strict in punishing any delinquency. He was the ablest general in leading his men, yet his gentle manners and his forbearance in dealing with his friends as well as foes stand in remarkable contrast with his capacity as a commander in the field of battle. After the Uhud trouble he did not speak even a harsh word to those who were guilty of disobeying his orders.
3:160
اِنۡ یَّنۡصُرۡکُمُ اللّٰہُ فَلَا غَالِبَ لَکُمۡ ۚ وَ اِنۡ یَّخۡذُلۡکُمۡ فَمَنۡ ذَا الَّذِیۡ یَنۡصُرُکُمۡ مِّنۡۢ بَعۡدِہٖ ؕ وَ عَلَی اللّٰہِ فَلۡیَتَوَکَّلِ الۡمُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ ﴿۱۶۰﴾
If Allah helps you, there is none that can overcome you; and if He forsakes you, who is there that can help you after Him? And in Allah should the believers put their trust.
3:161
وَ مَا کَانَ لِنَبِیٍّ اَنۡ یَّغُلَّ ؕ وَ مَنۡ یَّغۡلُلۡ یَاۡتِ بِمَا غَلَّ یَوۡمَ الۡقِیٰمَۃِ ۚ ثُمَّ تُوَفّٰی کُلُّ نَفۡسٍ مَّا کَسَبَتۡ وَ ہُمۡ لَا یُظۡلَمُوۡنَ ﴿۱۶۱﴾
And it is not for a prophet to act dishonestly. And whoever acts dishonestly will bring his dishonesty on the day of Resurrection. Then shall every soul be paid back fully what it has earned, and they will not be wronged.
3:162
اَفَمَنِ اتَّبَعَ رِضۡوَانَ اللّٰہِ کَمَنۡۢ بَآءَ بِسَخَطٍ مِّنَ اللّٰہِ وَ مَاۡوٰىہُ جَہَنَّمُ ؕ وَ بِئۡسَ الۡمَصِیۡرُ ﴿۱۶۲﴾
Is then he who follows the pleasure of Allah like him who incurs Allah’s displeasure, and his abode is hell? And it is an evil destination.
3:163
ہُمۡ دَرَجٰتٌ عِنۡدَ اللّٰہِ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ بَصِیۡرٌۢ بِمَا یَعۡمَلُوۡنَ ﴿۱۶۳﴾
There are grades with Allah. And Allah is Seer of what they do.
3:164
لَقَدۡ مَنَّ اللّٰہُ عَلَی الۡمُؤۡمِنِیۡنَ اِذۡ بَعَثَ فِیۡہِمۡ رَسُوۡلًا مِّنۡ اَنۡفُسِہِمۡ یَتۡلُوۡا عَلَیۡہِمۡ اٰیٰتِہٖ وَ یُزَکِّیۡہِمۡ وَ یُعَلِّمُہُمُ الۡکِتٰبَ وَ الۡحِکۡمَۃَ ۚ وَ اِنۡ کَانُوۡا مِنۡ قَبۡلُ لَفِیۡ ضَلٰلٍ مُّبِیۡنٍ ﴿۱۶۴﴾
Certainly Allah conferred a favour on the believers when He raised among them a Messenger from among themselves, reciting to them His messages and purifying them, and teaching them the Book and the Wisdom, although before that they were surely in manifest error.
3:165
اَوَ لَمَّاۤ اَصَابَتۡکُمۡ مُّصِیۡبَۃٌ قَدۡ اَصَبۡتُمۡ مِّثۡلَیۡہَا ۙ قُلۡتُمۡ اَنّٰی ہٰذَا ؕ قُلۡ ہُوَ مِنۡ عِنۡدِ اَنۡفُسِکُمۡ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ عَلٰی کُلِّ شَیۡءٍ قَدِیۡرٌ ﴿۱۶۵﴾
What! When a misfortune befell you, and you had inflicted twice as much, you say: From where is this? Say: It is from yourselves. Surely Allah is Powerful over all things.
3:166
وَ مَاۤ اَصَابَکُمۡ یَوۡمَ الۡتَقَی الۡجَمۡعٰنِ فَبِاِذۡنِ اللّٰہِ وَ لِیَعۡلَمَ الۡمُؤۡمِنِیۡنَ ﴿۱۶۶﴾ۙ
And what befell you on the day when the two armies met was by Allah’s permission, that He might know the believers,
3:167
وَ لِیَعۡلَمَ الَّذِیۡنَ نَافَقُوۡا ۚۖ وَ قِیۡلَ لَہُمۡ تَعَالَوۡا قَاتِلُوۡا فِیۡ سَبِیۡلِ اللّٰہِ اَوِ ادۡفَعُوۡا ؕ قَالُوۡا لَوۡ نَعۡلَمُ قِتَالًا لَّا تَّبَعۡنٰکُمۡ ؕ ہُمۡ لِلۡکُفۡرِ یَوۡمَئِذٍ اَقۡرَبُ مِنۡہُمۡ لِلۡاِیۡمَانِ ۚ یَقُوۡلُوۡنَ بِاَفۡوَاہِہِمۡ مَّا لَیۡسَ فِیۡ قُلُوۡبِہِمۡ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ اَعۡلَمُ بِمَا یَکۡتُمُوۡنَ ﴿۱۶۷﴾ۚ
and that He might know the hypocrites. And it was said to them: Come, fight in Allah’s way, or defend yourselves. They said: If we knew fighting, we would have followed you. They were on that day nearer to disbelief than to belief; they say with their mouths what is not in their hearts. And Allah best knows what they conceal.
The words show clearly that, in the language of the Quran, fighting in Allah’s way carries the significance of fighting in self-defence.
3:168
اَلَّذِیۡنَ قَالُوۡا لِاِخۡوَانِہِمۡ وَ قَعَدُوۡا لَوۡ اَطَاعُوۡنَا مَا قُتِلُوۡا ؕ قُلۡ فَادۡرَءُوۡا عَنۡ اَنۡفُسِکُمُ الۡمَوۡتَ اِنۡ کُنۡتُمۡ صٰدِقِیۡنَ ﴿۱۶۸﴾
Those who said of their brethren whilst they (themselves) held back: If they had obeyed us, they would not have been killed. Say: Avert death from yourselves, if you are truthful.
3:169
وَ لَا تَحۡسَبَنَّ الَّذِیۡنَ قُتِلُوۡا فِیۡ سَبِیۡلِ اللّٰہِ اَمۡوَاتًا ؕ بَلۡ اَحۡیَآءٌ عِنۡدَ رَبِّہِمۡ یُرۡزَقُوۡنَ ﴿۱۶۹﴾ۙ
And do not think of those who are killed in Allah’s way as dead. Rather, they are alive being provided sustenance from their Lord,
3:170
فَرِحِیۡنَ بِمَاۤ اٰتٰہُمُ اللّٰہُ مِنۡ فَضۡلِہٖ ۙ وَ یَسۡتَبۡشِرُوۡنَ بِالَّذِیۡنَ لَمۡ یَلۡحَقُوۡا بِہِمۡ مِّنۡ خَلۡفِہِمۡ ۙ اَلَّا خَوۡفٌ عَلَیۡہِمۡ وَ لَا ہُمۡ یَحۡزَنُوۡنَ ﴿۱۷۰﴾ۘ
rejoicing in what Allah has given them out of His grace, and they rejoice for the sake of those who, (being left) behind them, have not yet joined them, that they have no fear, nor shall they grieve.
3:171
یَسۡتَبۡشِرُوۡنَ بِنِعۡمَۃٍ مِّنَ اللّٰہِ وَ فَضۡلٍ ۙ وَّ اَنَّ اللّٰہَ لَا یُضِیۡعُ اَجۡرَ الۡمُؤۡمِنِیۡنَ ﴿۱۷۱﴾ۚ٪ۛ
They rejoice for Allah’s favour and (His) grace, and that Allah does not waste the reward of the believers.
Section 18 (Verses 3:172–3:180): Uhud no Gain to the Enemy
3:172
اَلَّذِیۡنَ اسۡتَجَابُوۡا لِلّٰہِ وَ الرَّسُوۡلِ مِنۡۢ بَعۡدِ مَاۤ اَصَابَہُمُ الۡقَرۡحُ ؕۛ لِلَّذِیۡنَ اَحۡسَنُوۡا مِنۡہُمۡ وَ اتَّقَوۡا اَجۡرٌ عَظِیۡمٌ ﴿۱۷۲﴾ۚ
Those who responded to the call of Allah and the Messenger after the misfortune had befallen them — for such among them who do good and keep their duty is a great reward.
3:173
اَلَّذِیۡنَ قَالَ لَہُمُ النَّاسُ اِنَّ النَّاسَ قَدۡ جَمَعُوۡا لَکُمۡ فَاخۡشَوۡہُمۡ فَزَادَہُمۡ اِیۡمَانًا ٭ۖ وَّ قَالُوۡا حَسۡبُنَا اللّٰہُ وَ نِعۡمَ الۡوَکِیۡلُ ﴿۱۷۳﴾
Those to whom people said: Surely men have gathered against you, so fear them; but this increased their faith, and they said: Allah is sufficient for us and He is an excellent Guardian.
3:174
فَانۡقَلَبُوۡا بِنِعۡمَۃٍ مِّنَ اللّٰہِ وَ فَضۡلٍ لَّمۡ یَمۡسَسۡہُمۡ سُوۡٓءٌ ۙ وَّ اتَّبَعُوۡا رِضۡوَانَ اللّٰہِ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ ذُوۡ فَضۡلٍ عَظِیۡمٍ ﴿۱۷۴﴾
So they returned with favour from Allah and (His) grace; no evil touched them, and they followed the pleasure of Allah. And Allah is the Lord of mighty grace.
3:175
اِنَّمَا ذٰلِکُمُ الشَّیۡطٰنُ یُخَوِّفُ اَوۡلِیَآءَہٗ ۪ فَلَا تَخَافُوۡہُمۡ وَ خَافُوۡنِ اِنۡ کُنۡتُمۡ مُّؤۡمِنِیۡنَ ﴿۱۷۵﴾
It is the devil who only frightens his friends, but do not fear them, and fear Me, if you are believers.
3:176
وَ لَا یَحۡزُنۡکَ الَّذِیۡنَ یُسَارِعُوۡنَ فِی الۡکُفۡرِ ۚ اِنَّہُمۡ لَنۡ یَّضُرُّوا اللّٰہَ شَیۡئًا ؕ یُرِیۡدُ اللّٰہُ اَلَّا یَجۡعَلَ لَہُمۡ حَظًّا فِی الۡاٰخِرَۃِ ۚ وَ لَہُمۡ عَذَابٌ عَظِیۡمٌ ﴿۱۷۶﴾
And do not let those grieve you who run into disbelief hastily; surely they can do no harm to Allah. Allah does not intend to assign them any portion in the Hereafter; and for them is a grievous punishment.
3:177
اِنَّ الَّذِیۡنَ اشۡتَرَوُا الۡکُفۡرَ بِالۡاِیۡمَانِ لَنۡ یَّضُرُّوا اللّٰہَ شَیۡئًا ۚ وَ لَہُمۡ عَذَابٌ اَلِیۡمٌ ﴿۱۷۷﴾
Those who buy disbelief at the price of faith can do no harm to Allah, and for them is a painful punishment.
3:178
وَ لَا یَحۡسَبَنَّ الَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوۡۤا اَنَّمَا نُمۡلِیۡ لَہُمۡ خَیۡرٌ لِّاَنۡفُسِہِمۡ ؕ اِنَّمَا نُمۡلِیۡ لَہُمۡ لِیَزۡدَادُوۡۤا اِثۡمًا ۚ وَ لَہُمۡ عَذَابٌ مُّہِیۡنٌ ﴿۱۷۸﴾
And those who disbelieve should not think that our granting them respite is good for themselves. We grant them respite only that they may add to their sins; and for them is a humiliating punishment.
3:179
مَا کَانَ اللّٰہُ لِیَذَرَ الۡمُؤۡمِنِیۡنَ عَلٰی مَاۤ اَنۡتُمۡ عَلَیۡہِ حَتّٰی یَمِیۡزَ الۡخَبِیۡثَ مِنَ الطَّیِّبِ ؕ وَ مَا کَانَ اللّٰہُ لِیُطۡلِعَکُمۡ عَلَی الۡغَیۡبِ وَ لٰکِنَّ اللّٰہَ یَجۡتَبِیۡ مِنۡ رُّسُلِہٖ مَنۡ یَّشَآءُ ۪ فَاٰمِنُوۡا بِاللّٰہِ وَ رُسُلِہٖ ۚ وَ اِنۡ تُؤۡمِنُوۡا وَ تَتَّقُوۡا فَلَکُمۡ اَجۡرٌ عَظِیۡمٌ ﴿۱۷۹﴾
Allah will not leave the believers in the condition in which you are until He separates the evil from the good. Nor is Allah going to make you acquainted with the unseen, but Allah chooses of His messengers whom He pleases. So believe in Allah and His messengers. And if you believe and keep your duty, you will have a great reward.
3:180
وَ لَا یَحۡسَبَنَّ الَّذِیۡنَ یَبۡخَلُوۡنَ بِمَاۤ اٰتٰہُمُ اللّٰہُ مِنۡ فَضۡلِہٖ ہُوَ خَیۡرًا لَّہُمۡ ؕ بَلۡ ہُوَ شَرٌّ لَّہُمۡ ؕ سَیُطَوَّقُوۡنَ مَا بَخِلُوۡا بِہٖ یَوۡمَ الۡقِیٰمَۃِ ؕ وَ لِلّٰہِ مِیۡرَاثُ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَ الۡاَرۡضِ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُوۡنَ خَبِیۡرٌ ﴿۱۸۰﴾٪
And those who are miserly in spending what Allah has granted them out of His grace should not think that it is good for them. Rather, it is evil for them. They shall have a collar of their miserliness on their necks on the day of Resurrection. And Allah’s is the heritage of the heavens and the earth. And Allah is Aware of what you do.
The same idea in more general terms, as to the effect of deeds being bound to the neck, is expressed in 17:13. Every person carries the effect of his deeds with him in this life, but on the day of Resurrection that effect will become clearly visible.
Section 19 (Verses 3:181–3:189): Carpings of People of the Book
3:181
لَقَدۡ سَمِعَ اللّٰہُ قَوۡلَ الَّذِیۡنَ قَالُوۡۤا اِنَّ اللّٰہَ فَقِیۡرٌ وَّ نَحۡنُ اَغۡنِیَآءُ ۘ سَنَکۡتُبُ مَا قَالُوۡا وَ قَتۡلَہُمُ الۡاَنۡۢبِیَآءَ بِغَیۡرِ حَقٍّ ۙ وَّ نَقُوۡلُ ذُوۡقُوۡا عَذَابَ الۡحَرِیۡقِ ﴿۱۸۱﴾
Allah has certainly heard the saying of those who said: Allah is poor and we are rich. We shall record what they say, and their killing the prophets unjustly, and We shall say: Taste the punishment of burning.
The Jews ridiculed the poverty of the Muslims and their borrowings from the Jewish money-lenders. They also ridiculed the raising of funds for the defence of the faith by subscriptions. See also 5:64.
3:182
ذٰلِکَ بِمَا قَدَّمَتۡ اَیۡدِیۡکُمۡ وَ اَنَّ اللّٰہَ لَیۡسَ بِظَلَّامٍ لِّلۡعَبِیۡدِ ﴿۱۸۲﴾ۚ
This is for what your own hands have sent ahead, and because Allah is not in the least unjust to the servants.
3:183
اَلَّذِیۡنَ قَالُوۡۤا اِنَّ اللّٰہَ عَہِدَ اِلَیۡنَاۤ اَلَّا نُؤۡمِنَ لِرَسُوۡلٍ حَتّٰی یَاۡتِیَنَا بِقُرۡبَانٍ تَاۡکُلُہُ النَّارُ ؕ قُلۡ قَدۡ جَآءَکُمۡ رُسُلٌ مِّنۡ قَبۡلِیۡ بِالۡبَیِّنٰتِ وَ بِالَّذِیۡ قُلۡتُمۡ فَلِمَ قَتَلۡتُمُوۡہُمۡ اِنۡ کُنۡتُمۡ صٰدِقِیۡنَ ﴿۱۸۳﴾
Those who say: Allah has enjoined us that we should not believe in any messenger until he brings us an offering which is consumed by fire. Say: Indeed messengers came to you before me with clear arguments and with what you demand. Why then did you try to kill them, if you are truthful?
They were referring to the burnt offerings of the Mosaic law.
3:184
فَاِنۡ کَذَّبُوۡکَ فَقَدۡ کُذِّبَ رُسُلٌ مِّنۡ قَبۡلِکَ جَآءُوۡ بِالۡبَیِّنٰتِ وَ الزُّبُرِ وَ الۡکِتٰبِ الۡمُنِیۡرِ ﴿۱۸۴﴾
But if they reject you, so indeed were rejected before you messengers who came with clear arguments and scriptures and the illuminating Book.
3:185
کُلُّ نَفۡسٍ ذَآئِقَۃُ الۡمَوۡتِ ؕ وَ اِنَّمَا تُوَفَّوۡنَ اُجُوۡرَکُمۡ یَوۡمَ الۡقِیٰمَۃِ ؕ فَمَنۡ زُحۡزِحَ عَنِ النَّارِ وَ اُدۡخِلَ الۡجَنَّۃَ فَقَدۡ فَازَ ؕ وَ مَا الۡحَیٰوۃُ الدُّنۡیَاۤ اِلَّا مَتَاعُ الۡغُرُوۡرِ ﴿۱۸۵﴾
Every soul must taste of death. And you will be paid your reward fully only on the day of Resurrection. Then whoever is removed far from the Fire and is made to enter the Garden, he indeed attains the object. And the life of this world is nothing but a provision of vanities.
3:186
لَتُبۡلَوُنَّ فِیۡۤ اَمۡوَالِکُمۡ وَ اَنۡفُسِکُمۡ ۟ وَ لَتَسۡمَعُنَّ مِنَ الَّذِیۡنَ اُوۡتُوا الۡکِتٰبَ مِنۡ قَبۡلِکُمۡ وَ مِنَ الَّذِیۡنَ اَشۡرَکُوۡۤا اَذًی کَثِیۡرًا ؕ وَ اِنۡ تَصۡبِرُوۡا وَ تَتَّقُوۡا فَاِنَّ ذٰلِکَ مِنۡ عَزۡمِ الۡاُمُوۡرِ ﴿۱۸۶﴾
You will certainly be tried in your property and your persons. And you will certainly hear from those who have been given the Book before you and from the idolaters much abuse. And if you are patient and keep your duty, surely this is an affair of great resolution.
This verse speaks of the future, in fact the distant future. The abuses which have been heaped on Islam in the past two centuries are without a parallel in the whole history of religion. The scurrilous language of Western publications, political as well as Christian, and the vituperations of their imitators elsewhere have exceeded all moral bounds. But Muslims are taught in this verse to bear all such abuse only with patience. (Editor’s Note: Hence it is not at all required or even allowed in Islam that Muslims should respond by killing or physically attacking those who vilify Islam and its Holy Prophet. See also 20:130, 33:48, 73:10, 4:140 and 6:68 which lead to the same conclusion.)
3:187
وَ اِذۡ اَخَذَ اللّٰہُ مِیۡثَاقَ الَّذِیۡنَ اُوۡتُوا الۡکِتٰبَ لَتُبَیِّنُنَّہٗ لِلنَّاسِ وَ لَا تَکۡتُمُوۡنَہٗ ۫ فَنَبَذُوۡہُ وَرَآءَ ظُہُوۡرِہِمۡ وَ اشۡتَرَوۡا بِہٖ ثَمَنًا قَلِیۡلًا ؕ فَبِئۡسَ مَا یَشۡتَرُوۡنَ ﴿۱۸۷﴾
And when Allah took a covenant from those who were given the Book: You shall explain it to people and shall not hide it. But they threw it behind their backs and took a small price for it. And evil is what they buy.
3:188
لَا تَحۡسَبَنَّ الَّذِیۡنَ یَفۡرَحُوۡنَ بِمَاۤ اَتَوۡا وَّ یُحِبُّوۡنَ اَنۡ یُّحۡمَدُوۡا بِمَا لَمۡ یَفۡعَلُوۡا فَلَا تَحۡسَبَنَّہُمۡ بِمَفَازَۃٍ مِّنَ الۡعَذَابِ ۚ وَ لَہُمۡ عَذَابٌ اَلِیۡمٌ ﴿۱۸۸﴾
Do not think that those who exult in what they have done, and love to be praised for what they have not done — do not think them to be safe from the punishment; and for them is a painful punishment.
3:189
وَ لِلّٰہِ مُلۡکُ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَ الۡاَرۡضِ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ عَلٰی کُلِّ شَیۡءٍ قَدِیۡرٌ ﴿۱۸۹﴾٪
And Allah’s is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. And Allah is Powerful over all things.
Section 20 (Verses 3:190–3:200): Ultimate Triumph of the Faithful
3:190
اِنَّ فِیۡ خَلۡقِ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَ الۡاَرۡضِ وَ اخۡتِلَافِ الَّیۡلِ وَ النَّہَارِ لَاٰیٰتٍ لِّاُولِی الۡاَلۡبَابِ ﴿۱۹۰﴾ۚۙ
In the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day, there are surely signs for those who have understanding,
3:191
الَّذِیۡنَ یَذۡکُرُوۡنَ اللّٰہَ قِیٰمًا وَّ قُعُوۡدًا وَّ عَلٰی جُنُوۡبِہِمۡ وَ یَتَفَکَّرُوۡنَ فِیۡ خَلۡقِ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَ الۡاَرۡضِ ۚ رَبَّنَا مَا خَلَقۡتَ ہٰذَا بَاطِلًا ۚ سُبۡحٰنَکَ فَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ ﴿۱۹۱﴾
those who remember Allah, standing and sitting and (lying) on their sides, and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth: Our Lord, You have not created this in vain! Glory be to You! Save us from the punishment of the Fire.
This chapter, like the one before it, ends with a prayer for the victory of Faith over disbelief and a prediction for its ultimate triumph. Verses 190–191 describe true believers on the one hand as remembering God in the midst of all worldly pursuits, standing and sitting and lying on their sides, being thus fully conscious of the Divine presence in all conditions; and, on the other, they set out for the conquest of nature with the full consciousness that nothing has been created in vain and that a purpose underlies the whole of creation. This is the grand object which Islam sets before its followers, to conquer self by remembrance of God and to conquer nature by pursuit of knowledge.
3:192
رَبَّنَاۤ اِنَّکَ مَنۡ تُدۡخِلِ النَّارَ فَقَدۡ اَخۡزَیۡتَہٗ ؕ وَ مَا لِلظّٰلِمِیۡنَ مِنۡ اَنۡصَارٍ ﴿۱۹۲﴾
Our Lord, whomsoever You make enter the Fire, him You indeed bring to disgrace. And there will be no helpers for the wrongdoers.
3:193
رَبَّنَاۤ اِنَّنَا سَمِعۡنَا مُنَادِیًا یُّنَادِیۡ لِلۡاِیۡمَانِ اَنۡ اٰمِنُوۡا بِرَبِّکُمۡ فَاٰمَنَّا ٭ۖ رَبَّنَا فَاغۡفِرۡ لَنَا ذُنُوۡبَنَا وَ کَفِّرۡ عَنَّا سَیِّاٰتِنَا وَ تَوَفَّنَا مَعَ الۡاَبۡرَارِ ﴿۱۹۳﴾ۚ
Our Lord, surely we have heard a Crier calling to the faith, saying: Believe in your Lord. So we do believe. Our Lord, grant us protection from our sins and remove our evils and make us die with the righteous.
3:194
رَبَّنَا وَ اٰتِنَا مَا وَعَدۡتَّنَا عَلٰی رُسُلِکَ وَ لَا تُخۡزِنَا یَوۡمَ الۡقِیٰمَۃِ ؕ اِنَّکَ لَا تُخۡلِفُ الۡمِیۡعَادَ ﴿۱۹۴﴾
Our Lord, grant us what You have promised us by Your messengers and do not disgrace us on the day of Resurrection. Surely You never fail in (Your) promise!
3:195
فَاسۡتَجَابَ لَہُمۡ رَبُّہُمۡ اَنِّیۡ لَاۤ اُضِیۡعُ عَمَلَ عَامِلٍ مِّنۡکُمۡ مِّنۡ ذَکَرٍ اَوۡ اُنۡثٰی ۚ بَعۡضُکُمۡ مِّنۡۢ بَعۡضٍ ۚ فَالَّذِیۡنَ ہَاجَرُوۡا وَ اُخۡرِجُوۡا مِنۡ دِیَارِہِمۡ وَ اُوۡذُوۡا فِیۡ سَبِیۡلِیۡ وَ قٰتَلُوۡا وَ قُتِلُوۡا لَاُکَفِّرَنَّ عَنۡہُمۡ سَیِّاٰتِہِمۡ وَ لَاُدۡخِلَنَّہُمۡ جَنّٰتٍ تَجۡرِیۡ مِنۡ تَحۡتِہَا الۡاَنۡہٰرُ ۚ ثَوَابًا مِّنۡ عِنۡدِ اللّٰہِ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ عِنۡدَہٗ حُسۡنُ الثَّوَابِ ﴿۱۹۵﴾
So their Lord accepted their prayer, (saying): I will not let the work of any worker among you to be lost, whether male or female; each of you is as the other. So those who fled and were driven forth from their homes and persecuted in My way and who fought and were slain, I shall truly remove their evil and make them enter Gardens in which rivers flow — a reward from Allah. And with Allah is the best reward.
Editor’s Note: This shows that Muslims were first made to flee, were driven from their homes, and were persecuted for worshipping the One God, by their enemies, and it was then that they fought in battles in which they were slain. And they fought only after war was made upon them; see 22:39–40, 2:190.
3:196
لَا یَغُرَّنَّکَ تَقَلُّبُ الَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوۡا فِی الۡبِلَادِ ﴿۱۹۶﴾ؕ
Do not let control in the land, of those who disbelieve, deceive you.
3:197
مَتَاعٌ قَلِیۡلٌ ۟ ثُمَّ مَاۡوٰىہُمۡ جَہَنَّمُ ؕ وَ بِئۡسَ الۡمِہَادُ ﴿۱۹۷﴾
A brief enjoyment! Then their abode is hell. And evil is the resting-place.
3:198
لٰکِنِ الَّذِیۡنَ اتَّقَوۡا رَبَّہُمۡ لَہُمۡ جَنّٰتٌ تَجۡرِیۡ مِنۡ تَحۡتِہَا الۡاَنۡہٰرُ خٰلِدِیۡنَ فِیۡہَا نُزُلًا مِّنۡ عِنۡدِ اللّٰہِ ؕ وَ مَا عِنۡدَ اللّٰہِ خَیۡرٌ لِّلۡاَبۡرَارِ ﴿۱۹۸﴾
But those who keep their duty to their Lord, for them are Gardens in which rivers flow, to abide therein; an entertainment from Allah. And what Allah has in store for the righteous is best.
3:199
وَ اِنَّ مِنۡ اَہۡلِ الۡکِتٰبِ لَمَنۡ یُّؤۡمِنُ بِاللّٰہِ وَ مَاۤ اُنۡزِلَ اِلَیۡکُمۡ وَ مَاۤ اُنۡزِلَ اِلَیۡہِمۡ خٰشِعِیۡنَ لِلّٰہِ ۙ لَا یَشۡتَرُوۡنَ بِاٰیٰتِ اللّٰہِ ثَمَنًا قَلِیۡلًا ؕ اُولٰٓئِکَ لَہُمۡ اَجۡرُہُمۡ عِنۡدَ رَبِّہِمۡ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ سَرِیۡعُ الۡحِسَابِ ﴿۱۹۹﴾
And among the People of the Book are those who believe in Allah and (in) what has been revealed to you and (in) what has been revealed to them, humbling themselves before Allah — they do not take a small price for the messages of Allah. These it is that have their reward with their Lord. Surely Allah is Swift to take account!
3:200
یٰۤاَیُّہَا الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوا اصۡبِرُوۡا وَ صَابِرُوۡا وَ رَابِطُوۡا ۟ وَ اتَّقُوا اللّٰہَ لَعَلَّکُمۡ تُفۡلِحُوۡنَ ﴿۲۰۰﴾٪
O you who believe, be steadfast and try to excel in steadfastness and guard (the frontiers). And keep your duty to Allah that you may be successful.
While victory is predicted for the Muslims, they are required to be humble in the hour of triumph, as at the close of the last chapter. The three qualities spoken of here, namely, steadfastness or endurance, trying to excel in steadfastness, and guarding, carry a temporal as well as a spiritual significance. They require, on the one hand, showing endurance in wars, excelling the enemy in endurance and to remain in readiness on the frontiers of the Muslim territory to meet the enemy, and, on the other, remaining steadfast in keeping away from evil and in keeping to obedience to God, trying to excel each other in the quality of endurance and to remain on guard against the temptations of the devil.