ٱلَّذِينَ قَالَ لَهُمُ ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّ ٱلنَّاسَ قَدْ جَمَعُوا۟ لَكُمْ فَٱخْشَوْهُمْ فَزَادَهُمْ إِيمَـٰنًا وَقَالُوا۟ حَسْبُنَا ٱللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ ٱلْوَكِيلُ 173
Translations
Those to whom people [i.e., hypocrites] said, "Indeed, the people have gathered against you, so fear them." But it [merely] increased them in faith, and they said, "Sufficient for us is Allāh, and [He is] the best Disposer of affairs."
Transliteration
Al-ladhīna qāla lahumu an-nāsu inna an-nāsa qad jama'ū lakum fakhshawhum fazādahum īmānan wa-qālū hasbunā Allāhu wa-ni'ma al-wakīl
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes those believers who, when people warned them of an assembled enemy force and urged them to fear, responded by increasing in faith rather than fear, declaring 'Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best Disposer of affairs.' According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this refers to the believers at Uhud who remained steadfast despite fear-mongering reports about the Meccan army's strength. The ayah emphasizes that genuine faith manifests as trust in Allah (tawakkul) even in the face of intimidation, transforming fear into spiritual fortitude.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the context of the Battle of Uhud (3 AH), where some hypocrites and weak believers attempted to demoralize the Muslim forces by exaggerating reports of enemy numbers. The broader context of Surah Ali 'Imran emphasizes lessons from this battle about faith, steadfastness, and the trials that test believers' commitment to Allah.
Related Hadiths
The phrase 'Hasbunā Allāhu wa-ni'ma al-wakīl' (Allah is sufficient for us and the best disposer of affairs) is echoed in several hadiths. Ibn Abbas reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) used this exact phrase during difficult circumstances (Sunan Ibn Majah). This expression became a supplication formula taught by the Prophet to his companions during times of fear and distress.
Themes
Key Lesson
True faith is not merely intellectual belief but manifests as unwavering trust in Allah when facing worldly fears and threats. In modern times, this teaches believers to resist the fear-mongering of the media and social pressures by anchoring themselves in reliance upon Allah, finding that spiritual confidence paradoxically provides greater strength than worldly armor.
Related Ayahs
كَذَٰلِكَ أَرْسَلْنَـٰكَ فِىٓ أُمَّةٍ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهَآ أُمَمٌ لِّتَتْلُوَا۟ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْكَ وَهُمْ يَكْفُرُونَ بِٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ۚ قُلْ هُوَ رَبِّى لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَإِلَيْهِ مَتَابِ
Thus have We sent you to a community before which [other] communities have passed on so you might recite to them that which We revealed to you, while they disbelieve in the Most Merciful. Say, "He is my Lord; there is no deity except Him. Upon Him I rely, and to Him is my return."
فَسَتَذْكُرُونَ مَآ أَقُولُ لَكُمْ ۚ وَأُفَوِّضُ أَمْرِىٓ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بَصِيرٌۢ بِٱلْعِبَادِ
And you will remember what I [now] say to you, and I entrust my affair to Allāh. Indeed, Allāh is Seeing of [His] servants."
فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَقُلْ حَسْبِىَ ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ ۖ وَهُوَ رَبُّ ٱلْعَرْشِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ
But if they turn away, [O Muḥammad], say, "Sufficient for me is Allāh; there is no deity except Him. On Him I have relied, and He is the Lord of the Great Throne."
إِنِّى تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ رَبِّى وَرَبِّكُم ۚ مَّا مِن دَآبَّةٍ إِلَّا هُوَ ءَاخِذٌۢ بِنَاصِيَتِهَآ ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّى عَلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ
Indeed, I have relied upon Allāh, my Lord and your Lord. There is no creature but that He holds it by its forelock [i.e., controls it]. Indeed, my Lord is on a path [that is] straight.