Sura-3 [Al-Imran, Medina 89 ]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s version:

وَمَا مُحَمَّدٌ إِلاَّ رَسُولٌ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِ الرُّسُلُ...

3:144. Muhammad is no more than a Messenger: many were the Messengers that passed away before him.

C460. This verse primarily applies to the battle of Uhud, in the course of which a cry was raised that the Messenger was slain. He had indeed been severely wounded, but Talha, Abu Bakr, and Ali were at his side, and his own unexampled bravery saved the Muslim army from a rout.

This verse was recalled again by Abu Bakr when the Messenger actually died a natural death eight years later, to remind people that Allah, Whose Message he brought, lives for ever. And have need to remember this now and often for two reasons:

1. when we feel inclined to pay more than human honour to one who was the truest, the purest, and the greatest of men, and thus in a sense to compound for our forgetting the spirit of his teaching, and

2. when we feel depressed at the chances and changes of time, and forget that Allah lives and watches over us and over all His creatures now as in a history in the past and in the future.

...أَفَإِن مَّاتَ أَوْ قُتِلَ انقَلَبْتُمْ عَلَى أَعْقَابِكُمْ ...

if he died or were slain, will ye then turn back on your heels?

...وَمَن يَنقَلِبْ عَلَىَ عَقِبَيْهِ فَلَن يَضُرَّ اللّهَ شَيْئًا...

If any did turn back on his heels, not the least harm will he do to Allah;

...وَسَيَجْزِي اللّهُ الشَّاكِرِينَ ﴿١٤٤﴾

but Allah (on the other hand) will swiftly reward those who (serve him) with gratitude.

Asad’s Version:

3: 144

Asad And Muhammad is only an apostle; all the [other] apostles have passed away before him; [note 104]………..whereas God will requite all who are grateful [to Him].

Yusuf Ali Muhammad is no more than an Apostle: many were the Apostles that passed away before him. If he died or were slain will ye then turn back on your heels? If any did turn back on his heels not the least harm will he do to Allah; but Allah (on the other hand) will swiftly reward those who (serve him) with gratitude.

Pickthall Muhammad is but a messenger, messengers (the like of whom) have passed away before him. Will it be that, when he dies or is slain, ye will turn back on your heels? He who turn back doth no hurt to Allah, and Allah will reward the thankful.

Transliteration Wa ma_ muhammadun illa_ rasu_l(un), qad khalat min qablihir rusul(u), afa'im ma_ta au qutilanqalabtum'ala_ a'qa_bikum, wa may yanqalib 'ala_ 'aqibaihi fa lay yadurralla_ha syai'a_(n), wa sayajzilla_husy syakirin(a).

[ Asad’s note – This stress on the mortality of the Prophet – and that of all the other prophets who preceded him in time – connects, in the first instance, with the battle of Uhud and the rumor of his death, which caused many Muslims to abandon the fight even brought some of them close to apostasy ……the above verse re-states the fundamental Islamic doctrine that adoration is due to God alone, and that no human being – not even a prophet - may have any share in it. It was this very passage of the Quran which Abu Bakr, the first Caliph, recited immediately after the Prophet’s death, when many faint-hearted Muslims thought that Islam itself had come to an end; but as soon as Abu Bakr added, “Behold whoever has worshipped Muhammad may know that Muhammad has died; but whoever worshipped God may know that God is ever-living, and never dies” (Bukhari), all confusion was stilled. – The expression “turning about on one’s heels” denotes – according to circumstances – either actual apostasy or a deliberate withdrawal from efforts in the cause of God.]

[ Ali’s notes - 460 This verse primarily applies to the battle of Uhud, in the course of which a cry was raised that the Messenger was slain. He had indeed been severely wounded, but Talha, Abu Bakr, and Ali were at his side, and his own unexampled bravery saved the Muslim army from a rout. This verse was recalled again by Abu Bakr when the Messenger actually died a natural death eight years later, to remind people that Allah, Whose Message he brought, lives for ever. And have need to remember this now and often for two reasons: (1) when we feel inclined to pay more than human honor to one who was the truest, the purest, and the greatest of men, and thus in a sense to compound for our forgetting the spirit of his teaching, and (2) when we feel depressed at the chances and changes of time, and forget that Allah lives and watches over us and over all His creatures now as in a history in the past and in the future. (3.144)

461 There is a slight touch of irony in this. As applied to the archers at Uhud, who deserted their post for the sake of plunder, they might have got some plunder, but they put themselves and the whole of their army into jeopardy. For a little worldly gain, they nearly lost their souls. On the other hand, those who took the long view and fought with staunchness and discipline,-their reward was swift and sure. If they died, they got the crown of martyrdom. If they lived, they were heroes honored in this life and the next. (3.145) ]