وَمَا مُحَمَّدٌ إِلَّا رَسُولٌ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِ ٱلرُّسُلُ ۚ أَفَإِي۟ن مَّاتَ أَوْ قُتِلَ ٱنقَلَبْتُمْ عَلَىٰٓ أَعْقَـٰبِكُمْ ۚ وَمَن يَنقَلِبْ عَلَىٰ عَقِبَيْهِ فَلَن يَضُرَّ ٱللَّهَ شَيْـًٔا ۗ وَسَيَجْزِى ٱللَّهُ ٱلشَّـٰكِرِينَ 144
Translations
Muḥammad is not but a messenger. [Other] messengers have passed on before him. So if he was to die or be killed, would you turn back on your heels [to unbelief]? And he who turns back on his heels will never harm Allāh at all; but Allāh will reward the grateful.
Transliteration
Wa mā Muhammadun illā rasūlun qad khalat min qablihi ar-rusul. Afa-in māta aw qutila inqalabatum 'alā a'qābikum. Wa man yanqalib 'alā 'aqibayhi falan yaḍurra Allāha shay'an. Wa sayajzī Allāhu ash-shākirīn.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is a messenger like those before him, subject to human mortality, and emphasizes that his death or killing should not cause believers to abandon their faith. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi note that this verse was revealed to address the shock and potential apostasy of Muslims during the Battle of Uhud when a false rumor spread that the Prophet had been killed. The verse teaches that faith in Allah and His message is independent of the physical life of any single messenger, and that those who truly believe will persevere in gratitude to Allah regardless of such trials.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed during or shortly after the Battle of Uhud (3 AH), when confusion arose on the battlefield and many Muslims believed the Prophet had been killed. The rumor caused some to flee and lose hope, prompting this revelation to strengthen their resolve and clarify that the Prophet's mission and Islam's truth do not depend on his physical survival. It addresses the broader theme in Surah Ali 'Imran of testing believers' faith through trials.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari 3985: Anas ibn Malik reported that during Uhud, when the news of the Prophet's death spread, Umar ibn al-Khattab rejected it vehemently, saying no one could kill the Prophet until he completed his mission. Sahih Muslim 1901: Abu Bakr's response to those who despaired after Uhud—he reminded them that whoever worships Muhammad should know that Muhammad is dead, but whoever worships Allah should know that Allah is eternal.
Themes
Key Lesson
True faith is rooted in submission to Allah, not dependence on any individual messenger's physical presence. Believers should strengthen their resolve during difficulties by remembering that Allah alone is eternal and worthy of worship, and that gratitude and perseverance in faith are the true measures of belief.