وَلَقَدْ صَدَقَكُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَعْدَهُۥٓ إِذْ تَحُسُّونَهُم بِإِذْنِهِۦ ۖ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا فَشِلْتُمْ وَتَنَـٰزَعْتُمْ فِى ٱلْأَمْرِ وَعَصَيْتُم مِّنۢ بَعْدِ مَآ أَرَىٰكُم مَّا تُحِبُّونَ ۚ مِنكُم مَّن يُرِيدُ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَمِنكُم مَّن يُرِيدُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةَ ۚ ثُمَّ صَرَفَكُمْ عَنْهُمْ لِيَبْتَلِيَكُمْ ۖ وَلَقَدْ عَفَا عَنكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ ذُو فَضْلٍ عَلَى ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ 152
Translations
And Allāh had certainly fulfilled His promise to you when you were killing them [i.e., the enemy] by His permission until [the time] when you lost courage and fell to disputing about the order [given by the Prophet (ﷺ)] and disobeyed after He had shown you that which you love. Among you are some who desire this world, and among you are some who desire the Hereafter. Then He turned you back from them [defeated] that He might test you. And He has already forgiven you, and Allāh is the possessor of bounty for the believers.
Transliteration
Wa-laqad sadaqakumu Allahu wa'dahu idh tahissoonahum bi-idhnihi hatta idha fashaltum wa-tanaza'tum fi al-amri wa-'asaytum min ba'di ma arayakum ma tuhibboon. Minkum man yureedu ad-dunya wa-minkum man yureedu al-akhirah. Thumma sarafakum 'anhum li-yabtaliyakum. Wa-laqad 'afa 'ankum. Wa-Allahu dhu fadlin 'ala al-mu'mineen.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the Battle of Uhud where Allah initially granted the Muslims victory as they defeated the disbelievers, fulfilling His promise. However, when the Muslim archers disobeyed orders to maintain their positions (seeking booty instead) and discord arose among the ranks regarding strategy, they were defeated as a trial and test from Allah. The ayah emphasizes that Allah showed them their desired victory first, then withdrew it due to their disobedience, yet still showed mercy and forgiveness—demonstrating both His justice in testing them and His grace (fadl) toward the believers.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the context of the Battle of Uhud (3 AH/625 CE), the second major military engagement between the Muslims of Madinah and the Quraysh of Makkah. The battle initially favored the Muslims, but a tactical error—archers leaving their positions against the Prophet's explicit command—led to a reversal and Muslim casualties. The surah discusses the lessons from this defeat as a divine trial.
Related Hadiths
Anas ibn Malik reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said regarding Uhud: 'Whoever leaves his position without permission, he has disobeyed Allah and His Messenger' (Sunan Abu Dawud). Also, 'Umar ibn al-Khattab narrated that the Prophet encouraged steadfastness, saying: 'The best of you are those who fight in the way of Allah' (Sahih Bukhari).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that apparent setbacks and trials from Allah may be merciful reminders to strengthen obedience and unity, and that success depends not merely on initial advantage but on steadfastness to divine guidance and discipline. It reminds us that Allah's grace encompasses both accountability for our mistakes and forgiveness when we turn back to Him.