سُوْرَةُ اٰلِ عِمْرٰنَ

Surah Aal-i-Imraan (3) — Ayah 124

The Family of Imraan · Medinan · Juz 4 · Page 66

إِذْ تَقُولُ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَلَن يَكْفِيَكُمْ أَن يُمِدَّكُمْ رَبُّكُم بِثَلَـٰثَةِ ءَالَـٰفٍ مِّنَ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ مُنزَلِينَ ﴿124﴾
(Remember) when you (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) said to the believers, "Is it not enough for you that your Lord (Allâh) should help you with three thousand angels sent down?"
إِذْ idh When
تَقُولُ taqūlu you said
لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ lil'mu'minīna to the believers
أَلَن alan Is it not
يَكْفِيَكُمْ yakfiyakum enough for you
أَن an that
يُمِدَّكُمْ yumiddakum reinforces you
رَبُّكُم rabbukum your Lord
بِثَلَـٰثَةِ bithalāthati with three
ءَالَـٰفٍۢ ālāfin thousand[s]
مِّنَ mina [of]
ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ l-malāikati [the] Angels
مُنزَلِينَ munzalīna [the ones] sent down

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 124 to 127) {اِذْ تَقُوْلُ لِلْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ … :} Its connection is either with the Battle of Badr or the Battle of Uhud. Imam Tabari preferred the first view, that is, when the Muslims became anxious upon seeing the preparations and large numbers of the disbelievers, the Messenger of Allah the Exalted (peace be upon him) comforted them by mentioning the help of the angels. Thus, angels descended at Badr. For the manner in which the angels descended at Badr, see Surah Al-Anfal (9). (Ibn Kathir, Shawkani) On the day of Badr, the number of angels is mentioned as one thousand in Surah Al-Anfal, while here three thousand and five thousand are mentioned. The answer to this is that first the promise was of one thousand, then the glad tidings of three thousand, and then five thousand were given; there is no contradiction between them. (Ibn Kathir)

According to some, this promise is related to the Battle of Uhud, and they have said that since the Muslims did not act with reliance and patience in the Battle of Uhud, Allah the Exalted withheld the help, otherwise it is clear that if the angels had descended, the Muslims would not have been defeated. (Ibn Jarir)

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.

The exegesis of this verse has been done along with the previous verse.

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.

124. When you said to the believers, "Is it not enough for you that your Lord should help you with three thousand angels sent down?" [113]

[113]
Did Angels Descend in the Battle of Uhud?

When the aforementioned two tribes showed weakness, at that time you ﷺ encouraged them and the other Muslims by saying: Is it not enough for you that Allah Almighty would help you by sending three thousand angels, just as He helped you in the field of Badr?