يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَكُونُوا۟ كَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَقَالُوا۟ لِإِخْوَٰنِهِمْ إِذَا ضَرَبُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ أَوْ كَانُوا۟ غُزًّى لَّوْ كَانُوا۟ عِندَنَا مَا مَاتُوا۟ وَمَا قُتِلُوا۟ لِيَجْعَلَ ٱللَّهُ ذَٰلِكَ حَسْرَةً فِى قُلُوبِهِمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يُحْىِۦ وَيُمِيتُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ 156
Translations
O you who have believed, do not be like those who disbelieved and said about their brothers when they traveled through the land or went out to fight, "If they had been with us, they would not have died or have been killed," so Allāh makes that [misconception] a regret within their hearts. And it is Allāh who gives life and causes death, and Allāh is Seeing of what you do.
Transliteration
Ya ayyuha alladhina amanu la takunu ka alladhina kafaru wa qalu li ikhwanihim idha darabu fi al-ardi aw kanu ghuzzan law kanu indana ma matu wa ma qutilu liyajala Allahu dhalika hasratan fi qulubihim wa Allahu yuhyi wa yumit wa Allahu bima tamalun basir
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah admonishes believers not to resemble the disbelievers who blamed their brothers for dying in travel or warfare, saying 'if they had stayed with us, they would not have died or been killed.' Allah clarifies that death and life are entirely in His hands, not determined by physical presence or absence. Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that Allah uses this reproach to instill in the disbelievers regret (hasrah) in their hearts, while emphasizing divine sovereignty over life and death, and His complete knowledge of all deeds.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed during the Medinan period following battles and expeditions, particularly in response to the disbelievers' irrational reasoning about deaths occurring during journeys and military campaigns. It addresses a psychological tendency to blame external circumstances rather than accepting divine decree (qadar), within the broader context of Surah Ali 'Imran which discusses faith, trials, and reliance on Allah.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Everyone's provision is written for him, and his appointed time of death is fixed' (Tirmidhi). Also relevant: 'No soul can die except by Allah's permission, as decreed in the Book' (3:145), establishing the theme of divine control over life and death.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers must recognize that life, death, and all circumstances are ultimately decreed by Allah alone, and should not blame external factors or companions for misfortunes; instead, they should cultivate trust in divine wisdom and avoid the destructive emotion of regret that stems from questioning Allah's plan.