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
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَأْكُلُوا۟ ٱلرِّبَوٰٓا۟ أَضْعَـٰفًا مُّضَـٰعَفَةً ۖ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ
O you who have believed, do not consume usury, doubled and multiplied, but fear Allāh that you may be successful.
قَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ ءَايَةٌ فِى فِئَتَيْنِ ٱلْتَقَتَا ۖ فِئَةٌ تُقَـٰتِلُ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَأُخْرَىٰ كَافِرَةٌ يَرَوْنَهُم مِّثْلَيْهِمْ رَأْىَ ٱلْعَيْنِ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ يُؤَيِّدُ بِنَصْرِهِۦ مَن يَشَآءُ ۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَعِبْرَةً لِّأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَبْصَـٰرِ
Already there has been for you a sign in the two armies which met [in combat at Badr] - one fighting in the cause of Allāh and another of disbelievers. They saw them [to be] twice their [own] number by [their] eyesight. But Allāh supports with His victory whom He wills. Indeed in that is a lesson for those of vision.
مَتَـٰعٌ قَلِيلٌ ثُمَّ مَأْوَىٰهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ ۚ وَبِئْسَ ٱلْمِهَادُ
[It is but] a small enjoyment; then their [final] refuge is Hell, and wretched is the resting place.
فَبِمَا رَحْمَةٍ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ لِنتَ لَهُمْ ۖ وَلَوْ كُنتَ فَظًّا غَلِيظَ ٱلْقَلْبِ لَٱنفَضُّوا۟ مِنْ حَوْلِكَ ۖ فَٱعْفُ عَنْهُمْ وَٱسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ وَشَاوِرْهُمْ فِى ٱلْأَمْرِ ۖ فَإِذَا عَزَمْتَ فَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُتَوَكِّلِينَ
So by mercy from Allāh, [O Muḥammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult them in the matter. And when you have decided, then rely upon Allāh. Indeed, Allāh loves those who rely [upon Him].