Surah Aal-i-Imraan (3) — Ayah 127

127. 1. This is being stated as the result of the help of Allah, the Dominant and Executor. In Surah Anfal, the number of angels is mentioned as one thousand: "اذتستغیثون ربکم فاستجاب لکم انی ممدکم بالف من الملٰئکۃ" — When you were seeking help from your Lord, Allah responded to your plea saying that I will help you with one thousand angels. From these words, it is understood that in reality, only one thousand angels descended, and for the encouragement and reassurance of the Muslims, a further conditional promise of three thousand and then five thousand was made. Then, according to the circumstances, even from the perspective of the Muslims' reassurance, they were not considered necessary. Therefore, according to some commentators, the descent of these three thousand or five thousand angels did not occur, because the purpose was to boost the morale of the Muslims, otherwise the real Helper was Allah Himself, and Allah is not in need of angels or anyone else for His help. Thus, He helped the Muslims, and in the Battle of Badr, the Muslims achieved a historic victory, the power of disbelief was weakened, and the arrogance of the disbelievers was brought to dust. (Aysar al-Tafasir)

127. So that Allah may cut off a part of the disbelievers, or disgrace them so that they retreat in utter failure [116].

[116] The purpose of Allah’s help was that the power of disbelief be broken, and this purpose was fully achieved. Seventy leaders of the disbelievers, including Abu Jahl, the commander of the army, were killed in this battle, an equal number were captured, and the remaining army fled in disgrace and humiliation, having no other option left.

Did Angels Descend at Uhud?

Here a question arises: Did the angels descend in both the fields of Badr and Uhud? The answer is that the descent of angels at Badr certainly took place and is established by the Book and Sunnah. Some people think that there was also a descent at the field of Uhud, as is indicated by the aforementioned verses. My personal opinion is that, in this field, due to the disobedience of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ by the Muslims, a grave military mistake was made, which at one point even led the Muslims to defeat. And since the reason for this mistake was merely greed and covetousness, Allah Almighty also reproached them for this mistake. However, Allah Almighty forgave them for this mistake. Because of this impatience, the angels did not descend at the field of Uhud. If the Muslims had not shown such impatience, Allah Almighty would have sent angels here as well. And Allah knows best what is correct, and this discussion has already passed under [حاشيه نمبر 114].