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
۞ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱصْطَفَىٰٓ ءَادَمَ وَنُوحًا وَءَالَ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ وَءَالَ عِمْرَٰنَ عَلَى ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
Indeed, Allāh chose Adam and Noah and the family of Abraham and the family of ʿImrān over the worlds -
وَلَقَدْ نَصَرَكُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِبَدْرٍ وَأَنتُمْ أَذِلَّةٌ ۖ فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
And already had Allāh given you victory at [the battle of] Badr while you were weak [i.e., few in number]. Then fear Allāh; perhaps you will be grateful.
أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ جَزَآؤُهُمْ أَنَّ عَلَيْهِمْ لَعْنَةَ ٱللَّهِ وَٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ وَٱلنَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ
Those - their recompense will be that upon them is the curse of Allāh and the angels and the people, all together,
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.