Allah might test your faith and see what is in your hearts. Allah knows the deepest secrets of
every heart. Those of you who fled in cowardice on the day the two armies met in battle
must have been tricked by Satan because of some evil you have done. But now Allah has
forgiven you for Allah is forgiving and gracious.
3:155 Believers! Do not follow the unbelievers’ example when they say about their brothers
who have been killed in a foreign country or in battle, “If only they had stayed at home they
would not have died or have been killed!” Allah will make them regret what they have said.
Allah is the giver of both
life and death; Allah knows all that you do.
3:156 The forgiveness and mercy they, who die or are killed for Allah’s cause, will receive
from Allah will be far better than anything they could have gained. If you die or are killed,
then surely you will all be gathered before Allah.
3:164 And when disaster [battle of Uhud] befell you, although it brought destruction twice
as great to the unbelievers, you said, “Why is this happening to us?” Say to them, “You
have brought this upon yourselves for Allah controls all things. The destruction which
befell you the day the two armies met in battle was Allah’s will so He would recognize
who were the true believers and who were the hypocrites.” And when they were told,
“Come and fight for Allah’s cause [jihad] and drive your enemies back,” they replied, “If
we knew how to fight, then we would have followed you.” Some of them were closer to
unbelief than faith that day. What they said with their mouths was not what was in their
hearts, but Allah knew what they were hiding in their hearts.
3:167 It was these who said, while sitting at home, of their brothers, “If only they had
listened to us, then they would not have been killed.” Say: Try to avert your death if what
you say is true!
3:168 Never believe that those who have been killed for Allah’s cause [jihad] are dead. No,
they are alive with their Lord and receive rich provisions. They rejoice in the bounty Allah
gives them and are joyful for those left behind who have yet to join them that they will have
nothing fear or regret. They are filled with joy for Allah’s grace and blessings. Allah will not
fail to reward the faithful.
3:171 As for those who answered the call of Allah and His messenger after they were
defeated [battle of Uhud], those of them who do good works and fear Allah will be richly
rewarded. They are the ones who when it was said to them, “Your enemies are gathering
vast armies against you, so fear them,” it only increased their faith and they said, “Allah’s
help is enough for us. He is the most excellent protector.” It was in this manner that they
earned Allah’s grace and blessings, and no harm came to them. And they worked to please
Allah for Allah is full of boundless grace.
168