سُوْرَةُ اٰلِ عِمْرٰنَ
Surah Aal-i-Imraan (3) — Ayah 121
وَإِذْ غَدَوْتَ مِنْ أَهْلِكَ تُبَوِّئُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ مَقَـٰعِدَ لِلْقِتَالِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ ﴿121﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
And (remember) when you (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) left your household in the morning to post the believers at their stations for the battle (of Uhud). And Allâh is All-Hearer, All-Knower.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَإِذْ
wa-idh
And when
غَدَوْتَ
ghadawta
you left early morning
مِنْ
min
from
أَهْلِكَ
ahlika
your household
تُبَوِّئُ
tubawwi-u
to post
ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
l-mu'minīna
the believers
مَقَـٰعِدَ
maqāʿida
(to take) positions
لِلْقِتَالِ ۗ
lil'qitāli
for the battle
وَٱللَّهُ
wal-lahu
And Allah
سَمِيعٌ
samīʿun
(is) All-Hearing
عَلِيمٌ
ʿalīmun
All-Knowing
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
(Ayah 121) {وَ اِذْ غَدَوْتَ مِنْ اَهْلِكَ …:} From here begins the account of the Battle of Uhud. After the humiliating defeat at the Battle of Badr, with seventy men killed and seventy taken captive, the polytheists, in a spirit of revenge, planned to attack Madinah. They gathered various tribes from the surrounding areas and brought a well-armed army of three thousand, camping near Mount Uhud. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) consulted with the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them). Some advised to stay in Madinah and fight from within, while some enthusiastic young men, who had not participated in Badr, insisted on going out to the battlefield. According to their opinion, he went out with a force of one thousand. At the place called "Shawt," Abdullah bin Ubayy deceived the Muslims and returned with his three hundred companions. This caused the morale of some Muslims to falter, as will be mentioned ahead, but Allah Almighty granted them steadfastness. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) advanced with this group of seven hundred Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) and arranged the army in the valley near Uhud, to which the Qur'an alludes in «تُبَوِّئُ الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ مَقَاعِدَ لِلْقِتَالِ ». The Islamic army had Mount Uhud at its back, and on one side, a detachment of fifty archers under the leadership of Abdullah bin Jubair (may Allah be pleased with him) was stationed on a hillock. The Prophet (peace be upon him) instructed them: "If you see birds pecking at our bodies, do not leave this place until I send you a message. And if you see that we have defeated the disbelievers and trampled them, still do not leave this place until I send a message." However, most of them, seeing the disbelievers retreating, came down and left the pass, which gave the polytheists an opportunity to attack from the rear. This sudden attack caused the Muslims to lose their footing. Only a few Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) remained steadfast with the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). At this moment, the blessed tooth of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was broken, and his head and forehead were also wounded. Eventually, the Companions gathered around him again, which changed the course of the battlefield, and the enemy had to retreat in failure. This incident took place in Shawwal, 3 AH. In these verses, some events of the battle are being alluded to. (Ibn Kathir)
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
121. 1. According to the majority of commentators, this refers to the incident of the Battle of Uhud, which took place in Shawwal, 3 AH. Its background, briefly, is that when the disbelievers suffered a humiliating defeat in the Battle of Badr in 2 AH, with seventy of their men killed and seventy captured, it became a source of disgrace and a matter of death for them. Therefore, they prepared for a massive retaliatory war against the Muslims, in which women also participated. On the other hand, when the Muslims learned that the disbelievers, numbering three thousand, had camped near Mount Uhud, the Noble Prophet ﷺ advised to confront them from within (the city), and the chief of the hypocrites, Abdullah bin Ubayy, also expressed the same opinion. However, contrary to this, some enthusiastic Companions who had not had the honor of participating in the Battle of Badr supported going out of Madinah to fight. The Prophet ﷺ was sitting inside his chamber; he put on his armor and came out. Those who held the other opinion felt regret that they had forced the Messenger of Allah ﷺ to go out against his wish, so they said, "O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! If you prefer to confront them from within, then remain inside." The Prophet ﷺ said that after putting on the armor, it is not befitting for a Prophet to return and take it off without Allah’s decision. Thus, the Muslims, numbering one thousand, set out, but at dawn, when they reached the place of Shawt, Abdullah bin Ubayy turned back with his three hundred companions, saying that his opinion had not been accepted. What is the use of giving one's life unnecessarily? This decision of his temporarily affected some Muslims as well, and they also showed weakness (Ibn Kathir).
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
121. And (remember) when you left your home early in the morning to assign the believers to their battle positions (at Uhud), [110] and Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.
[110]
The Background and Causes of the Battle of Uhud:
A new subject begins here, which is related to the Battle of Uhud. In Ramadan of 2 AH, the Quraysh of Makkah suffered a humiliating defeat in the Battle of Badr. After the death of Abu Jahl, Abu Sufyan took over the leadership of the Quraysh. In order to take revenge for Badr and to annihilate the Muslims, he took the following steps:
1. It was decided that all the profits from the trade caravan, which had narrowly escaped just a few days before the Battle of Badr, would be given for war expenses. From this, a huge sum of one thousand camels and fifty thousand dinars was collected for war expenditures.
2. The door for voluntary service was opened, and all the tribes hostile to Islam were invited to participate in this war. In this way, both the allied tribes of Quraysh and the tribes opposed to the Muslims gathered under the Qurayshi banner.
3. The services of two eloquent poets were obtained, who incited the Bedouin tribes to take revenge against the Muslims. In those days, this was the most effective means of war propaganda. Thus, in Shawwal of 3 AH, this army of three thousand armed men of Quraysh, under the leadership of Abu Sufyan, reached the field of Uhud. On this occasion, Abu Sufyan employed a dangerous war tactic; addressing the Ansar, he said: "We have no fight with you people. It is better if you withdraw, and we will not interfere with you." But the Ansar understood Abu Sufyan's ploy and gave him a fitting reply.
Consultation Regarding the Battle of Uhud:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ consulted the Companions ؓ as to whether this battle should be fought while staying in Madinah or by going out into the open field. His personal opinion was that it should be fought while staying in Madinah, and this was the first occasion when the opinion of Abdullah bin Ubayy, the chief of the hypocrites, was also sought, which was in agreement with the Prophet's opinion. However, the enthusiastic and young Muslims, who had not participated in Badr and whose longing for martyrdom made them restless, insisted that the battle should be fought outside in the open field, so that the enemy would not think of us as cowardly or weak. Thus, you went home, put on your armor, and came out. Some people thought that they had forced you to go out against your will. So they said, "O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! If it is not your wish, then please stay here." You replied: "It is not appropriate for a Prophet, once he has put on his armor, to take it off without fighting."
The Role of Abdullah bin Ubayy:
When you left Madinah, about one thousand men were with you, but Abdullah bin Ubayy, taking about three hundred men (among whom were some Muslims as well), turned back from the way, saying, "When my advice was not accepted, why should we fight and needlessly put ourselves in destruction?" Eventually, you reached the battlefield with an army of seven hundred Mujahideen. According to military rules, you arranged the ranks, stationed each unit at its appropriate place, and said that the battle should not be started until I give the order.
[110]
The Background and Causes of the Battle of Uhud:
A new subject begins here, which is related to the Battle of Uhud. In Ramadan of 2 AH, the Quraysh of Makkah suffered a humiliating defeat in the Battle of Badr. After the death of Abu Jahl, Abu Sufyan took over the leadership of the Quraysh. In order to take revenge for Badr and to annihilate the Muslims, he took the following steps:
1. It was decided that all the profits from the trade caravan, which had narrowly escaped just a few days before the Battle of Badr, would be given for war expenses. From this, a huge sum of one thousand camels and fifty thousand dinars was collected for war expenditures.
2. The door for voluntary service was opened, and all the tribes hostile to Islam were invited to participate in this war. In this way, both the allied tribes of Quraysh and the tribes opposed to the Muslims gathered under the Qurayshi banner.
3. The services of two eloquent poets were obtained, who incited the Bedouin tribes to take revenge against the Muslims. In those days, this was the most effective means of war propaganda. Thus, in Shawwal of 3 AH, this army of three thousand armed men of Quraysh, under the leadership of Abu Sufyan, reached the field of Uhud. On this occasion, Abu Sufyan employed a dangerous war tactic; addressing the Ansar, he said: "We have no fight with you people. It is better if you withdraw, and we will not interfere with you." But the Ansar understood Abu Sufyan's ploy and gave him a fitting reply.
Consultation Regarding the Battle of Uhud:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ consulted the Companions ؓ as to whether this battle should be fought while staying in Madinah or by going out into the open field. His personal opinion was that it should be fought while staying in Madinah, and this was the first occasion when the opinion of Abdullah bin Ubayy, the chief of the hypocrites, was also sought, which was in agreement with the Prophet's opinion. However, the enthusiastic and young Muslims, who had not participated in Badr and whose longing for martyrdom made them restless, insisted that the battle should be fought outside in the open field, so that the enemy would not think of us as cowardly or weak. Thus, you went home, put on your armor, and came out. Some people thought that they had forced you to go out against your will. So they said, "O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! If it is not your wish, then please stay here." You replied: "It is not appropriate for a Prophet, once he has put on his armor, to take it off without fighting."
The Role of Abdullah bin Ubayy:
When you left Madinah, about one thousand men were with you, but Abdullah bin Ubayy, taking about three hundred men (among whom were some Muslims as well), turned back from the way, saying, "When my advice was not accepted, why should we fight and needlessly put ourselves in destruction?" Eventually, you reached the battlefield with an army of seven hundred Mujahideen. According to military rules, you arranged the ranks, stationed each unit at its appropriate place, and said that the battle should not be started until I give the order.
