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.

وَمَا كَانَ لِنَفْسٍ أَنْ تَمُوتَ إِلاَّ بِإِذْنِ الله كِتَابًا مُّؤَجَّلاً...

3:145. Nor can a soul die except by Allah's leave, the term being fixed as by writing.

...وَمَن يُرِدْ ثَوَابَ الدُّنْيَا نُؤْتِهِ مِنْهَا وَمَن يُرِدْ ثَوَابَ الآخِرَةِ نُؤْتِهِ مِنْهَا...

If any do desire a reward in this life, We shall give it to him; and if any do desire a reward in the hereafter, We shall give it to him.

C461. 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 honoured in this life and the next.

...وَسَنَجْزِي الشَّاكِرِينَ ﴿١٤٥﴾

And swiftly shall We reward those that (serve Us with) gratitude.

وَكَأَيِّن مِّن نَّبِيٍّ قَاتَلَ مَعَهُ رِبِّيُّونَ كَثِيرٌ...

3:146. How many of the Prophets fought (in Allah's way), and with them (fought) large bands of godly men?

...فَمَا وَهَنُواْ لِمَا أَصَابَهُمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللّهِ وَمَا ضَعُفُواْ وَمَا اسْتَكَانُواْ...

But they never lost heart if they met with disaster in Allah's way, nor did they weaken (in will) nor give in.

...وَاللّهُ يُحِبُّ الصَّابِرِينَ ﴿١٤٦﴾

And Allah loves those who are firm and steadfast.

وَمَا كَانَ قَوْلَهُمْ إِلاَّ أَن قَالُواْ...

3:147. All that they said was:

...ربَّنَا اغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَإِسْرَافَنَا فِي أَمْرِنَا...

"Our Lord! forgive us our sins and anything we may have done that transgressed our duty;

...وَثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَنَا وانصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ ﴿١٤٧﴾

establish our feet firmly, and help us against those that resist faith."

فَآتَاهُمُ اللّهُ ثَوَابَ الدُّنْيَا وَحُسْنَ ثَوَابِ الآخِرَةِ...

3:148. And Allah gave them a reward in this world, and the excellent reward of the Hereafter.

...وَاللّهُ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ ﴿١٤٨﴾

For Allah loveth those who do good.

C.59 (The running Commentary, in Rhythmic Prose)

(3:149-180)

Uhud showed how dangerous it was

To lend ear to enemy suggestions,

To disobey orders, dispute, lose courage,

Or seek selfish ends; some even followed

The evil course of turning back.

But great is Allah's mercy; where He helps,

No harm can come. Trust your Leader.

The Hypocrites, in withdrawing from battle,

Were really helping the Unbelievers,

But glorious were those who knew

No fear; those killed in the Cause of Allah

Yet live and thrive and do rejoice;

And never can those who fight against Faith

Hurt in the least the Cause of Allah.

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) ]

3: 145

Asad And no human being can die save by God’s leave, at a term pre-ordained. And if one desires the rewards of this world, We shall grant him thereof; and if one desires the rewards of the life to come, We shall grant him thereof; and We shall requite those who are grateful [to Us].

Yusuf Ali Nor can a soul die except by Allah's leave the term being fixed as by writing. If any do desire a reward in this life We shall give it to him; and if any do desire a reward in the hereafter We shall give it to him. And swiftly shall We reward those that (serve Us with) gratitude.

Pickthall No soul can ever die except by Allah's leave and at a term appointed. Whoso desireth the reward of the world, We bestow on him thereof; and whoso desireth the reward of the Hereafter. We bestow on him thereof. We shall reward the thankful.

Transliteration Wa ma_ ka_na li nafsin an tamu_ta illa_ bi iznilla_hi kita_bam mu'ajjala_(n), wa may yurid sawa_bad dunya_ nu'tihi minha_, wa may yurid sawa_bal a_khirati nu'tihi minha_, wa sanajzisy sya_kirin(a).

3: 146

Yusuf Ali How many of the Prophets fought (in Allah's way) and with them (fought) large bands of godly men? But they never lost heart if they met with disaster in Allah's way nor did they weaken (in will) nor give in. And Allah loves those who are firm and steadfast.

Pickthall And with how many a prophet have there been a number of devoted men who fought (beside him). They quailed not for aught that befell them in the way of Allah, nor did they weaken, nor were they brought low. Allah 1oveth the steadfast.

Transliteration Wa ka'ayyim min nabiyyin qa_tala ma'ahu_ ribbiyyu_na kasir(un), fama_ wahanu_ lima_ asa_bahum fi sabililla_hi wa ma_ da'ufu_ wamastaka_nu_, walla_hu yuhibbus sa_birin(a).

3: 147

Yusuf Ali All that they said was: "Our Lord! forgive us our sins and anything we may have done that transgressed our duty; establish our feet firmly and help us against those that resist faith."

Pickthall Their cry was only that they said: Our Lord! Forgive us for our sins and wasted efforts, make our foothold sure, and give us victory over the disbelieving folk.

Transliteration Wa ma_ ka_na qaulahum illa_ an qa_lu_ rabbanagfir lana_ zunu_bana_ wa isra_fana_ fi amrina_ wa sabbit aqda_mana_ wansurna_ 'alal qaumil ka_firin(a).

3: 148

Yusuf Ali And Allah gave them a reward in this world and the excellent reward of the Hereafter. For Allah loveth those who do good.

Pickthall So Allah gave them the reward of the world and the good reward of the Hereafter. Allah loveth those whose deeds are good.

Transliteration Fa a_ta_humulla_hu sawa_bad dunya_ wa husna sawa_bil a_khirah(ti), walla_hu yuhibbul muhsinin(a).