إِذْ هَمَّت طَّآئِفَتَانِ مِنكُمْ أَن تَفْشَلَا وَٱللَّهُ وَلِيُّهُمَا ۗ وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ 122
Translations
When two parties among you were about to lose courage, but Allāh was their ally; and upon Allāh the believers should rely.
Transliteration
Idh hamma ta'ifataan minkum an tafshlaa wa-Allahu waliyyuhuma wa 'ala-Allahi falyatawakkali al-mu'minun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the Battle of Uhud, where two groups among the Muslims (identified by most scholars as the tribes of Banu Harithah and Banu Salamah) were tempted to abandon the fighting and return home out of fear. Allah assures the believers that He is their protector and guardian, and despite their weakness, He will support them. The ayah emphasizes that true reliance (tawakkul) upon Allah alone is the remedy for wavering resolve and doubt.
Revelation Context
Revealed in the context of Surah Ali 'Imran, which addresses events surrounding the Battle of Uhud (3 AH). This specific ayah refers to an incident during the battle when certain groups of believers hesitated to continue fighting, reflecting the trials and tests faced by the Muslim community in Madinah during its early defensive wars.
Related Hadiths
The Battle of Uhud is extensively documented in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, with detailed accounts of the events. A related theme appears in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet (peace be upon him) taught about tawakkul (reliance upon Allah): 'Trust in Allah as is His due' - emphasizing complete dependence on Allah's wisdom and protection.
Themes
Key Lesson
When believers face moments of doubt or temptation to abandon their principles due to fear, they should remember that Allah is their ultimate guardian and protector, and true faith lies in placing complete trust in Him. This teaches modern Muslims that setbacks and internal struggles are natural tests, but reliance upon Allah rather than wavering is the path to both spiritual integrity and ultimate success.
Related Ayahs
يَـٰمَرْيَمُ ٱقْنُتِى لِرَبِّكِ وَٱسْجُدِى وَٱرْكَعِى مَعَ ٱلرَّٰكِعِينَ
O Mary, be devoutly obedient to your Lord and prostrate and bow with those who bow [in prayer]."
كَدَأْبِ ءَالِ فِرْعَوْنَ وَٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۚ كَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا فَأَخَذَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِذُنُوبِهِمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ شَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ
[Theirs is] like the custom of the people of Pharaoh and those before them. They denied Our signs, so Allāh seized them for their sins. And Allāh is severe in penalty.
۞ إِذْ تُصْعِدُونَ وَلَا تَلْوُۥنَ عَلَىٰٓ أَحَدٍ وَٱلرَّسُولُ يَدْعُوكُمْ فِىٓ أُخْرَىٰكُمْ فَأَثَـٰبَكُمْ غَمًّۢا بِغَمٍّ لِّكَيْلَا تَحْزَنُوا۟ عَلَىٰ مَا فَاتَكُمْ وَلَا مَآ أَصَـٰبَكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ خَبِيرٌۢ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ
[Remember] when you [fled and] climbed [the mountain] without looking aside at anyone while the Messenger was calling you from behind. So Allāh repaid you with distress upon distress so you would not grieve for that which had escaped you [of victory and spoils of war] or [for] that which had befallen you [of injury and death]. And Allāh is [fully] Aware of what you do.
رَبَّنَا لَا تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا وَهَبْ لَنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلْوَهَّابُ
[Who say], "Our Lord, let not our hearts deviate after You have guided us and grant us from Yourself mercy. Indeed, You are the Bestower.