وَمَا كَانَ قَوْلَهُمْ إِلَّآ أَن قَالُوا۟ رَبَّنَا ٱغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَإِسْرَافَنَا فِىٓ أَمْرِنَا وَثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَنَا وَٱنصُرْنَا عَلَى ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ 147
Translations
And their words were not but that they said, "Our Lord, forgive us our sins and the excess [committed] in our affairs and plant firmly our feet and give us victory over the disbelieving people."
Transliteration
Wa mā kāna qawluhum illā an qālū Rabbanā ighfir lanā dhunūbanā wa isrāfanā fī amrinā wa thabbit aqdāmanā wansurnā 'alā al-qawm al-kāfirīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the believers at the Battle of Uhud whose response to adversity was to turn entirely to Allah in supplication, seeking forgiveness for their sins and excess, requesting steadfastness, and asking for divine support against the disbelievers. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, these words exemplify the proper conduct of the righteous when facing trials—rather than despair or blame, they humble themselves before Allah and recognize their dependence on His mercy and aid. Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that their comprehensive du'a addresses both spiritual purification (asking forgiveness) and practical needs (steadfastness and victory), demonstrating balanced reliance on Allah.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative following the Battle of Uhud (2 AH), where Muslims initially gained advantage but suffered defeat due to archers abandoning their posts. The ayah specifically refers to the believers who remained steadfast in faith despite this setback, exemplifying how the righteous respond to trials with submission to Allah's will rather than despair or rebellion.
Related Hadiths
The du'a structure aligns with the teaching in Sunan At-Tirmidhi where the Prophet (ﷺ) emphasized comprehensive supplication combining requests for forgiveness and help. Additionally, Sahih Muslim records that during trials, the Prophet (ﷺ) would seek refuge in Allah's patience and call upon Him for steadfastness.
Themes
Key Lesson
When facing difficulty or failure, believers should turn to Allah with sincere repentance, acknowledge their limitations, and seek both spiritual purification and divine assistance rather than despair or self-blame. This ayah teaches that vulnerability before Allah and comprehensive supplication is the strongest response to worldly challenges.
Related Ayahs
إِذْ قَالَ ٱللَّهُ يَـٰعِيسَىٰٓ إِنِّى مُتَوَفِّيكَ وَرَافِعُكَ إِلَىَّ وَمُطَهِّرُكَ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَجَاعِلُ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّبَعُوكَ فَوْقَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۖ ثُمَّ إِلَىَّ مَرْجِعُكُمْ فَأَحْكُمُ بَيْنَكُمْ فِيمَا كُنتُمْ فِيهِ تَخْتَلِفُونَ
[Mention] when Allāh said, "O Jesus, indeed I will take you and raise you to Myself and purify [i.e., free] you from those who disbelieve and make those who follow you [in submission to Allāh alone] superior to those who disbelieve until the Day of Resurrection. Then to Me is your return, and I will judge between you concerning that in which you used to differ.
لَّا يَتَّخِذِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ أَوْلِيَآءَ مِن دُونِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۖ وَمَن يَفْعَلْ ذَٰلِكَ فَلَيْسَ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ فِى شَىْءٍ إِلَّآ أَن تَتَّقُوا۟ مِنْهُمْ تُقَىٰةً ۗ وَيُحَذِّرُكُمُ ٱللَّهُ نَفْسَهُۥ ۗ وَإِلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلْمَصِيرُ
Let not believers take disbelievers as allies [i.e., supporters or protectors] rather than believers. And whoever [of you] does that has nothing [i.e., no association] with Allāh, except when taking precaution against them in prudence. And Allāh warns you of Himself, and to Allāh is the [final] destination.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِن تُطِيعُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ يَرُدُّوكُمْ عَلَىٰٓ أَعْقَـٰبِكُمْ فَتَنقَلِبُوا۟ خَـٰسِرِينَ
O you who have believed, if you obey those who disbelieve, they will turn you back on your heels, and you will [then] become losers.
وَمَا يَفْعَلُوا۟ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَلَن يُكْفَرُوهُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌۢ بِٱلْمُتَّقِينَ
And whatever good they do - never will it be denied them. And Allāh is Knowing of the righteous.