وَكَأَيِّن مِّن نَّبِىٍّ قَـٰتَلَ مَعَهُۥ رِبِّيُّونَ كَثِيرٌ فَمَا وَهَنُوا۟ لِمَآ أَصَابَهُمْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَمَا ضَعُفُوا۟ وَمَا ٱسْتَكَانُوا۟ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يُحِبُّ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ 146
Translations
And how many a prophet [fought in battle and] with him fought many religious scholars. But they never lost assurance due to what afflicted them in the cause of Allāh, nor did they weaken or submit. And Allāh loves the steadfast.
Transliteration
Wa-ka-ayyin min nabiyyin qatala ma'ahu ribbiyyun kathir fama wahanu lima asabahum fi sabili-llah wa ma daafu wa mas-takanu wa-llahu yuhibbu as-sabirin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah emphasizes that numerous prophets fought alongside large numbers of devoted believers (rabbiyyun - scholars and devout followers) without losing resolve or becoming weak despite the hardships they endured in the path of Allah. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari note this ayah was revealed to strengthen the resolve of the believers at Uhud, demonstrating that patience and steadfastness in the face of trials is a characteristic beloved by Allah. The ayah serves as a historical reminder that prophets and their companions maintained unwavering determination despite suffering casualties and setbacks.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Ali 'Imran's discussion of the Battle of Uhud (2 AH), which occurred after the Muslims' victory at Badr. It was revealed to console and encourage the believers after their initial setback at Uhud, reminding them of the examples of previous prophets who persevered despite losses.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet ﷺ said: 'The greatest jihad is the struggle against one's self' (Tirmidhi). Also relevant: 'Indeed, with hardship comes ease' (Quran 94:5-6), which pairs with this ayah's theme of perseverance through trials.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that facing difficulties with unwavering resolve and patience in Allah's cause is a divine quality that attracts Allah's love and approval. In modern contexts, it encourages Muslims to maintain steadfastness in their faith and duties despite worldly challenges, loss, or opposition.
Related Ayahs
فَمَنْ حَآجَّكَ فِيهِ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا جَآءَكَ مِنَ ٱلْعِلْمِ فَقُلْ تَعَالَوْا۟ نَدْعُ أَبْنَآءَنَا وَأَبْنَآءَكُمْ وَنِسَآءَنَا وَنِسَآءَكُمْ وَأَنفُسَنَا وَأَنفُسَكُمْ ثُمَّ نَبْتَهِلْ فَنَجْعَل لَّعْنَتَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَى ٱلْكَـٰذِبِينَ
Then whoever argues with you about it after [this] knowledge has come to you - say, "Come, let us call our sons and your sons, our women and your women, ourselves and yourselves, then supplicate earnestly [together] and invoke the curse of Allāh upon the liars [among us]."
لَن يَضُرُّوكُمْ إِلَّآ أَذًى ۖ وَإِن يُقَـٰتِلُوكُمْ يُوَلُّوكُمُ ٱلْأَدْبَارَ ثُمَّ لَا يُنصَرُونَ
They will not harm you except for [some] annoyance. And if they fight you, they will show you their backs [i.e., retreat]; then they will not be aided.
۞ لَيْسُوا۟ سَوَآءً ۗ مِّنْ أَهْلِ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ أُمَّةٌ قَآئِمَةٌ يَتْلُونَ ءَايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ ءَانَآءَ ٱلَّيْلِ وَهُمْ يَسْجُدُونَ
They are not [all] the same; among the People of the Scripture is a community standing [in obedience], reciting the verses of Allāh during periods of the night and prostrating [in prayer].
لِيَقْطَعَ طَرَفًا مِّنَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ أَوْ يَكْبِتَهُمْ فَيَنقَلِبُوا۟ خَآئِبِينَ
That He might cut down a section of the disbelievers or suppress them so that they turn back disappointed.