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
وَمَا كَانَ لِنَفْسٍ أَن تَمُوتَ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ كِتَـٰبًا مُّؤَجَّلًا ۗ وَمَن يُرِدْ ثَوَابَ ٱلدُّنْيَا نُؤْتِهِۦ مِنْهَا وَمَن يُرِدْ ثَوَابَ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ نُؤْتِهِۦ مِنْهَا ۚ وَسَنَجْزِى ٱلشَّـٰكِرِينَ
And it is not [possible] for one to die except by permission of Allāh at a decree determined. And whoever desires the reward of this world - We will give him thereof; and whoever desires the reward of the Hereafter - We will give him thereof. And We will reward the grateful.
لَيْسَ لَكَ مِنَ ٱلْأَمْرِ شَىْءٌ أَوْ يَتُوبَ عَلَيْهِمْ أَوْ يُعَذِّبَهُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ ظَـٰلِمُونَ
Not for you, [O Muḥammad, but for Allāh], is the decision whether He should [cut them down] or forgive them or punish them, for indeed, they are wrongdoers.
فَمَنِ ٱفْتَرَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلْكَذِبَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ ذَٰلِكَ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ
And whoever invents about Allāh untruth after that - then those are [truly] the wrongdoers.
وَمَا كَانَ لِنَبِىٍّ أَن يَغُلَّ ۚ وَمَن يَغْلُلْ يَأْتِ بِمَا غَلَّ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۚ ثُمَّ تُوَفَّىٰ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَّا كَسَبَتْ وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ
It is not [attributable] to any prophet that he would act unfaithfully [in regard to war booty]. And whoever betrays, [taking unlawfully], will come with what he took on the Day of Resurrection. Then will every soul be [fully] compensated for what it earned, and they will not be wronged.