3:123 Aal-i-Imraan (The Family of Imraan)

وهذا امتنان منه على عباده المؤمنين، وتذكير لهم بما نصرهم به يوم بدر وهم أذلة في قلة عَددهم وعُددهم مع كثرة عدد عدوهم وعُددهم، وكانت وقعة بدر في السنة الثانية من الهجرة، خرج النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم من المدينة بثلاث مئة وبضعة عشر من أصحابه، ولم يكن معهم إلا سبعون بعيرا وفرسان لطلب عير لقريش قدمت من الشام، فسمع به المشركون فتجهزوا من مكة لفكاك عيرهم، وخرجوا في زهاء ألف مقاتل مع العدة الكاملة والسلاح العام والخيل الكثيرة، فالتقوا همم والمسلمون في ماء يقال له \"بدر\" بين مكة والمدينة فاقتتلوا، ونصر الله المسلمين نصرا عظيما، فقتلوا من المشركين سبعين قتيلا من صناديد المشركين وشجعانهم، وأسروا سبعين، واحتووا على معسكرهم ستأتي - إن شاء الله - القصة في سورة الأنفال، فإن ذلك موضعها، ولكن الله تعالى هنا أتى بها ليتذكر بها المؤمنون ليتقوا ربهم ويشكروه، فلهذا قال { فاتقوا الله لعلكم تشكرون } لأن من اتقى ربه فقد شكره، ومن ترك التقوى فلم يشكره، إذ تقول يا محمد للمؤمنين يوم بدر مبشرا لهم بالنصر.

قوله تعالى "ولقد نصركم الله ببدر" أي يوم بدر وكان يوم جمعة وافق السابع عشر من شهر رمضان من سنة اثنتين من الهجرة وهو يوم الفرقان الذي أعز الله فيه الإسلام وأهله ودمغ فيه الشرك وخرب محله وحزبه هذا مع قلة عدد المسلمين يومئذ فإنهم كانوا ثلثمائة وثلاثة عشر رجلا فيهم فارسان وسبعون بعيرا والباقون مشاة ليس معهم من العدد جميع ما يحتاجون إليه. وكان العدو يومئذ ما بين التسعمائة إلى الألف في سوابغ الحديد والبيض والعدة الكاملة والخيول المسومة والحلي الزائد فأعز الله رسوله وأظهر وحيه وتنزيله وبيض وجه النبي وقبيله وأخزى الشيطان وجيله ولهذا قال تعالى ممتنا على عباده المؤمنين وحزبه المتقين "ولقد نصركم الله ببدر وأنتم أذلة" أي قليل عددكم لتعلموا أن النصر إنما هو من عند الله لا بكثرة العَدد والعُدد ولهذا قال تعالى في الآية الأخرى "ويوم حنين إذ أعجبتكم كثرتكم فلم تغن عنكم شيئا -إلى - غفور رحيم" وقال الإمام أحمد حدثنا محمد بن جعفر حدثنا شعبة عن سماك قال: سمعت عياضا الأشعري قال: شهدت اليرموك وعلينا خمسة أمراء أبو عبيدة ويزيد بن أبي سفيان وابن حسنة وخالد بن الوليد وعياض- وليس عياض هذا الذي حدث سماكا - قال: وقال عمر: إذا كان قتالا فعليكم أبو عبيدة قال: فكتبنا إليه أنه قد جأش إلينا الموت واستمددناه فكتب إلينا إنه قد جاءني كتابكم تستمدونني وإني أدلكم على من هو أعز نصرا وأحصن جندا الله عز وجل فاستنصروه فإن محمدا صلى الله عليه وسلم قد نصر في يوم بدر في أقل من عدتكم فإذا جاءكم كتابي هذا فقاتلوهم ولا تراجعوني قال: فقاتلناهم فهزمناهم أربع فراسخ قال: وأصبنا أموالا فتشاورنا فأشار علينا عياض أن نعطي عن كل ذي رأس عشرة قال: وقال أبو عبيدة: من يراهنني؟ فقال شاب أنا إن لم تغضب قال: فسبقه فرأيت عقيصتَيْ أبي عبيدة ينفران وهو خلفه على فرس أعرابي وهذا إسناد صحيح وقد أخرجه ابن حبان في صحيحه من حديث بندار عن غندر بنحوه واختاره الحافظ الضياء المقدسي في كتابه وبدر محلة بين مكة والمدينة تعرف ببئرها منسوبة إلى رجل حفرها يقال له بدر بن النارين قال الشعبي. بدر بئر لرجل يسمى بدرا: وقوله "فاتقوا الله لعلكم تشكرون" أي تقومون بطاعته.

The Battle of Uhud

According to the majority of scholars, these Ayat are describing the battle of Uhud, as Ibn `Abbas, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, As-Suddi and others said. The battle of Uhud occurred on a Saturday, in the month of Shawwal on the third year of Hijrah. `Ikrimah said that Uhud occurred in the middle of the month of Shawwal, and Allah knows best.

The Reason Behind the Battle of Uhud

The idolators suffered many casualties among their noble men at the battle of Badr. The caravan that Abu Sufyan led (before Badr) returned safely to Makkah, prompting the remaining Makkan leaders and the children of those who were killed at Badr to demand from Abu Sufyan to, "Spend this money on fighting Muhammad!" Consequently, they spent the money from the caravan on warfare expenses and mobilized their forces including the Ahabish tribes (tribes living around the city). They gathered three thousand soldiers and marched until they camped near Uhud facing Al-Madinah. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ led the Friday prayer and when he finished with it, he performed the funeral prayer for a man from Bani An-Najjar called Malik bin `Amr. The Prophet then asked the Muslims for advice, if they should march to meet the disbelievers, or fortify themselves in Al-Madinah. `Abdullah bin Ubayy (the chief hypocrite) advised that they should remain in Al-Madinah, saying that if the disbelievers lay siege to Al-Madinah, the siege would be greatly disadvantageous to them. He added that if they decide to attack Al-Madinah, its men would face off with them, while women and children could throw rocks at them from above their heads; and if they decide to return to Makkah, they would return with failure. However, some companions who did not attend the battle of Badr advised that the Muslims should go out to Uhud to meet the disbelievers.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ went to his home, put on his shield and came out. The companions were weary then and said to each other, "Did we compel the Messenger of Allah ﷺ to go out" They said, "O Messenger of Allah! If you wish, we will remain in Al-Madinah. " The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,

«مَا يَنْبَغِي لِنَبِيَ إِذَا لَبِسَ لَأْمَتَهُ أَنْ يَرْجِعَ حَتَّى يَحْكُمَ اللهُ لَه»

(It is not for a Prophet to wear his shield for war then lay down his arms before Allah decides in his favor.)

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ marched with a thousand of his Companions. When they reached the Shawt area, `Abdullah bin Ubayy went back to Al-Madinah with a third of the army, claiming he was angry the Prophet did not listen to his advice. He and his supporters said, "If we knew that you would fight today, we would have accompanied you. However, we do not think that you will fight today." The Messenger of Allah ﷺ marched until he reached the hillside in the area of Uhud, where they camped in the valley with Mount Uhud behind them. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,

«لَا يُقَاتِلَنَّ أَحَدٌ حَتَّى نَأْمُرَهُ بِالْقِتَال»

(No one starts fighting until I issue the command to fight.)

The Messenger prepared his forces for battle, and his army was seven hundred men. He appointed `Abdullah bin Jubayr, from Bani `Amr bin `Awf, to lead the archers who were fifty men. The Prophet said to them,

«انْضَحُوا الْخَيْلَ عَنَّا، وَلَا نُؤْتَيَنَّ مِنْ قِبَلِكُمْ، وَالْزَمُوا مَكَانَكُمْ، إِنْ كَانَتِ النَّوْبَةُ لَنَا أَوْ عَلَيْنَا، وَإِنْ رَأَيْتُمُونَا تَخْطَفُنَا الطَّيْرُ فَلَا تَبْرَحُوا مَكَانَكُم»

(Keep the horsemen away from us, and be aware that we might be attacked from your direction. If victory was for or against us, remain in your positions. And even if you see us being picked up by birds, do not abandon your positions.)

The Prophet wore two protective shields and gave the flag to Mus`ab bin `Umayr of Bani `Abd Ad-Dar. The Prophet also allowed some young men to participate in fighting, but not others, whom he allowed to participate in the battle of Al-Khandaq two years later. The Quraysh mobilized their forces of three thousand men with two hundred horsemen on each flank. They appointed Khalid bin Al-Walid to lead the right side of the horsemen and `Ikrimah Ibn Abi Jahl on the left side. They also gave their grand flag to the tribe of Bani `Abd Ad-Dar. Allah willing, we will mention the details of this battle later on, if Allah wills. Allah said here,

وَإِذْ غَدَوْتَ مِنْ أَهْلِكَ تُبَوِّىءُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مَقَاعِدَ لِلْقِتَالِ

(And (remember) when you left your household in the morning to post the believers at their stations for the battle) 3:121, designating them to various positions, dividing the army to the left and right sides and placing them wherever you command them.

وَاللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ

(And Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower), He hears what you say and knows what you conceal in your hearts. Allah said next,

إِذْ هَمَّتْ طَّآئِفَتَانِ مِنكُمْ أَن تَفْشَلاَ

(When two parties from among you were about to lose heart,) 3:122.

Al-Bukhari recorded that Jabir bin `Abdullah said, "The Ayah,

إِذْ هَمَّتْ طَّآئِفَتَانِ مِنكُمْ أَن تَفْشَلاَ

(When two parties from among you were about to lose heart) was revealed about us, the two Muslim tribes of Bani Harithah and Bani Salamah. I (or we) would not be pleased if it was not revealed, because Allah said in it,

وَاللَّهُ وَلِيُّهُمَا

(but Allah was their Wali (Supporter and Protector)) 3:122."

Muslim recorded this Hadith from Sufyan bin `Uyaynah.

Reminding the Believers of Their Victory at Badr

Allah said,

وَلَقَدْ نَصَرَكُمُ اللّهُ بِبَدْرٍ ...

And Allah has already made you victorious at Badr,meaning, during the battle of Badr, which occurred on a Friday, the seventeenth of Ramadan, in the second year of Hijrah.The day of Badr is known as Yawm Al-Furqan (the Day of the Clarification), by which Allah gave victory and dominance to Islam and its people and disgraced and destroyed Shirk, even though the Muslims were few. The Muslims numbered three hundred and thirteen men, with two horses and seventy camels. The rest were foot soldiers without enough supplies for the battle. The enemy army consisted of nine hundred to a thousand men, having enough shields and supplies, battle-ready horses and even various adornments.However, Allah gave victory to His Messenger, supported His revelation, and illuminated success on the faces of the Prophet and his following.Allah also brought disgrace to Shaytan and his army. This is why Allah reminded His believing servants and pious party of this favor,

وَلَقَدْ نَصَرَكُمُ اللّهُ بِبَدْرٍ وَأَنتُمْ أَذِلَّةٌ ...

And Allah has already made you victorious at Badr, when you were a weak little force,when you were few then.

This Ayah reminds them that victory is only from Allah, not because of a large army and adequate supplies. This is why Allah said in another Ayah,

لَقَدْ نَصَرَكُمُ اللّهُ فِي مَوَاطِنَ كَثِيرَةٍ وَيَوْمَ حُنَيْنٍ إِذْ أَعْجَبَتْكُمْ كَثْرَتُكُمْ فَلَمْ تُغْنِ عَنكُمْ شَيْئًا ...

and on the day of Hunayn (battle) when you rejoiced at your great number, but it availed you naught... until,

وَاللّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ ...

and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful (9:25-27).

Badr is an area between Makkah and Al-Madinah and is known by the well that bears its name, which in turn was so named after Badr bin An-Narayn, the person who dug the well.

فَاتَّقُواْ اللّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ

So have Taqwa of Allah that you may be grateful.means, fulfill the obligations of His obedience.

When they were defeated the following was revealed as a way of reminding them of God’s favour God already gave you victory at Badr a location between Mecca and Medina when you were contemptible few in number and weapons. So fear God in order that you might be thankful for His blessings.

وَلَقَدْ نَصَرَ‌كُمُ اللَّـهُ بِبَدْرٍ‌ وَأَنتُمْ أَذِلَّةٌ

And Allah certainly supported you at Badr when you were weak. (123)

Badr : Location and Importance

Badr is located about eighty miles south-west of Madinah and used to be a halting-place while travelling between Makkah and Madinah, before the modern Tariq al-Hijrah was commissioned into service which by passes it.

At that time, Badr was known for its abundance of water, something very important in the desert zones of Arabia. The first armed encounter between believers and disbelievers came to pass at this spot on Friday, Ramadan al-Mubarak, Hijrah year 2 which fell on March 11, 624 A.D. On a superficial view, this battle appears to be a local tribal war, but the truth is that it has charted a revolutionary course in the history of the world, therefore, the Holy Qur'an calls it Yawm al-Furgan یوم الفرقان (a day of distinction). According to Professor Philip Hitti, this was Islam's first clear victory.

The expression وَأَنتُمْ أَذِلَّةٌ translated as 'when you were weak' means that 'you were, at that time, few in numbers and materials'. According to strong and authentic narrations, the number of Muslims was 313. This 'army' had two horses and seventy camels. On these, they took their turns while riding.

The verse ends with the statement: فَاتَّقُوا اللَّـهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُ‌ونَ (So, fear Allah, that you may be grateful). This may remind one of the many places in the Holy Qur'an where Taqwa (fear of Allah) and Sabr (patience) have been prescribed as a security shield against the machinations of the hypocrites and the harmful effects of hostile enemies. Right here, in these two behaviour models, there lies the secret of an entire organized struggle, and clear victory, that comes in its wake. As mentioned elsewhere, Taqwa and Sabr have not been mentioned here, in conjunction. Instead, Taqwa has been considered sufficient for, in reality, Taqwa is such a comprehensive human attribute that صبر Sabr too gets to be included therein.

God surely helped you at Badr while you were abased. He wrote this inscription of abasement for them in respect of number and the view of the common people. But, in respect of the view of the elect and the reality of the work, how can it be said that someone is lowly and abased when God is his helper? The Pir of the Tariqah said in his whispered prayers, “O Lord, in recognizing You we are alive, with Your help we are happy, with Your generosity we are joyful, through Your exalting we are exalted. O Lord, in You we are alive, so how can we ever die? In You we are happy, so how can we ever be sorrowful? In You we are joyful, so how can we live without You? In You we are exalted, so how can we ever be abased?” A man entered in on Hārūn al-Rashīd and commanded him to do the honorable. Hārūn be- came angry and put him inside a room with a lion, with the door firmly shut. The lion entered in upon the man with humility and did not harm him. After that, they saw him in the midst of the gar- den, happily gazing at it, and the door to the room was firmly locked as it had been. They reported his state to Hārūn, and he summoned him. He said, “Who let you out of the room?” He answered, “The one who brought me into the garden.” He said, “Who brought you into the garden?” He said, “The one who brought me out of the room.” Hārūn commanded that they should put him on a seat with exaltation and honor and carry him around the city, with a caller going before him saying, “Behold, Hārūn al-Rashīd wanted to abase a servant exalted by God, and he was unable to do so.”