3. Sura al-Imran

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

فَبِمَا رَحْمَةٍ مِّنَ اللّهِ لِنتَ لَهُمْ ...

3: 159. It is part of the Mercy of Allah that thou dost deal gently with them.

C471. The extremely gentle nature of Muhammad endeared him to all, and it is reckoned as one of the Mercies of Allah.

One of the Prophet's titles is "A Mercy to all Creation."

At no time was this gentleness, this mercy, this long-suffering with human weaknesses, more valuable than after a disaster like that at Uhud. It is a quality, which then, as always, bound and binds the souls of countless men to him.

...وَلَوْ كُنتَ فَظًّا غَلِيظَ الْقَلْبِ لاَنفَضُّواْ مِنْ حَوْلِكَ...

Wert thou severe or harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about thee;

...فَاعْفُ عَنْهُمْ وَاسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ ...

so pass over (their faults), and ask for (Allah's) forgiveness for them;

... وَشَاوِرْهُمْ فِي الأَمْرِ...

and consult them in affairs (of moment).

...فَإِذَا عَزَمْتَ فَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللّهِ إِنَّ اللّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُتَوَكِّلِينَ ﴿١٥٩﴾

Then, when thou hast taken a decision, put thy trust in Allah.

For Allah loves those who put their trust (in Him).

Other versions:

3: 159

Asad And it was by God’s grace that you [O Prophet] did deal gently with your followers [note 121]: for if you had been harsh and hard, they would indeed have broken away from you. Pardon them, then, and pray that they be forgiven.

Yusuf Ali It is part of the Mercy of Allah that thou dost deal gently with them. Wert thou severe or harsh-hearted they would have broken away from about thee; so pass over (their faults) and ask for (Allah's) forgiveness for them; and consult them in affairs (of moment). Then when thou hast taken a decision put thy trust in Allah. For Allah loves those who put their trust (in Him).

Pickthall It was by the mercy of Allah that thou wast lenient with them (O Muhammad), for if thou hadst been stern and fierce of heart they would have dispersed from round about thee. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult with them upon the conduct of affairs. And when thou art resolved, then put thy trust in Allah. Lo! Allah loveth those who put their trust (in Him).

Transliteration Fabima_ rahmatim minalla_hi linta lahum, wa lau kunta fazzan galizal qalbi lanfaddu_ min haulik(a), fa'fu 'anhum wastagfir lahum wa sya_wirhum fil amr(i), fa iza_ 'azamta fa tawakkal 'alalla_h(i), innalla_ha yuhibbul mutawakklilin(a).

[[ Asad’s note 121 Lit., “with them” – i.e., with those of his followers who had failed in their duty before and during the disaster at Uhud. According to all available accounts, the Prophet did not even reproach any of them for what they had done. ]]

[[ Ruby’s note – His decision to forgive the defectors or violators of Uhud and his forgiveness at the final victory of Mecca are examples for mankind for one generosity, forgiveness and victory of good over evil. At Uhud the disobedience happened at the spur of the moment and not preplanned or well calculated betrayal. Therefore overlooking the failure and forgiveness are good and appropriate for this occasion. However, the question can be raised on the occasion when the Prophet was harsh in dealing with the Jewish tribe in Median. The reason as I can clearly see is that there was a great need to establish a strong precedence for the consequences for the Jews who were constantly contemplating treason with and annihilation of the Muslim community. A deterrence was absolutely necessary in that context for survival and continuity. A careful study of the history would reveal that that difficult and seemed decision to total capitulation of a tribe had enormous after effects for the Muslim community in terms of treaties and peaceful coexistence in Arabia.

Therefore, even though a leader’s disposition of kindness and magnanimity is unquestionably desired and valued, but that should not deter him/her in taking appropriate measures in other times when he/she needs to take difficult decision to establish deterrence and enforce penalty on crimes. A leader cannot be effective unless he/she understands the difference between these two types of occasions and can balance the decision making. ]]