سُوْرَةُ اٰلِ عِمْرٰنَ

Surah Aal-i-Imraan (3) — Ayah 137

The Family of Imraan · Medinan · Juz 4 · Page 67

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قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ سُنَنٌ فَسِيرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَٱنظُرُوا۟ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلْمُكَذِّبِينَ ﴿137﴾

Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali

Many similar ways (and mishaps of life) were faced by nations (believers and disbelievers) that have passed away before you (as you have faced in the battle of Uhud), so travel through the earth, and see what was the end of those who disbelieved (in the Oneness of Allâh, and disobeyed Him and His Messengers).

Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning

قَدْ qad Verily
خَلَتْ khalat passed
مِن min from
قَبْلِكُمْ qablikum before you
سُنَنٌۭ sunanun situations
فَسِيرُوا۟ fasīrū then travel
فِى fī in
ٱلْأَرْضِ l-arḍi the earth
فَٱنظُرُوا۟ fa-unẓurū and see
كَيْفَ kayfa how
كَانَ kāna was
عَـٰقِبَةُ ʿāqibatu (the) end
ٱلْمُكَذِّبِينَ l-mukadhibīna (of) the deniers

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 137) {قَدْ خَلَتْ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ … :} In the previous verses, forgiveness and Paradise were promised for obedience to Allah and His Messenger and upon repentance from their disobedience. Now here, in order to encourage obedience and repentance, it is commanded to reflect upon the history of the previous nations, so that by pondering over the conditions of the obedient and the disobedient among them, a person may take a lesson for himself. The singular of {’’ سُنَنٌ ‘‘} is {’’سُنَّةٌ ‘‘}, which means the straight path and the pattern that is followed. This is {’’ فُعْلَةٌ ‘‘} meaning {’’ مَفْعُوْلَةٌ ‘‘}. Since the action of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) is a model and straight path for the Muslim, it is called Sunnah.
When seventy Muslims were martyred and some were wounded in the Battle of Uhud, this defeat naturally caused the Muslims much distress. In these verses, Allah Almighty consoled them that they should not be disheartened by this defeat, for this has always happened among the previous nations and the followers of the Prophets, that in the beginning they had to face hardships, and in the end, the deniers were humiliated and disgraced. (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.

137. 1. In the Battle of Uhud, the Muslim army consisted of seven hundred individuals, among whom a group of fifty archers was appointed by you under the leadership of Abdullah bin Jubair (may Allah be pleased with him) on a hill, and they were strictly instructed that whether we achieve victory or face defeat, you must not move from here, and your task is to repel any cavalry that approaches you with arrows. However, when the Muslims became victorious and began gathering spoils, disagreement arose within this group. Some began to say that the purpose of the command of the Noble Prophet ﷺ was to remain stationed here as long as the battle continued, but now that the battle is over and the disbelievers are fleeing, it is no longer necessary to stay here. Thus, they too left their position and began collecting spoils, and only ten men remained there, abiding by the Prophet's ﷺ command, which the disbelievers took advantage of. Their cavalry turned back and reached the Muslims from behind at that very spot and launched a sudden attack, causing chaos among the Muslims. Naturally, this caused great distress to the Muslims. In these verses, Allah Almighty is consoling the Muslims that what happened to you is not something new. This has happened before as well. However, in the end, destruction and ruin are destined only for those who deny Allah and His Messenger.

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.

137. Many ways of life have passed before you. So travel through the land and see what was the end of those who denied [123].

[123]
Reminder of the Days of Allah:

This subject has appeared in many places in the Noble Quran, and in such verses, people have been given a general invitation to travel through the land and see what was the outcome of those who denied the prophets and the signs of Allah. The details of these outcomes have also been given in several places in the Quran. For example, what happened to the people of ‘Ad, what happened to the people of Thamud, and what happened to the people of Nuh, the companions of Madyan, the companions of Hijr, the people of Saba, and so on. Similarly, the mention of certain individuals also comes, for example, what happened to Pharaoh and the people of Pharaoh. This subject is called in Shari’ah terminology “Tadhkir bi-Ayyamillah,” meaning “to take lesson from those people or nations upon whom punishment came due to denying the prophets and the signs of Allah.” From all such incidents, the ongoing practice of Allah that becomes evident is that when any nation reaches the extreme in disobedience to Allah and becomes immersed in sins, then Allah sends upon it such a punishment that destroys and ruins it, and its name is erased from the page of existence, and this is such a Sunnah of Allah that is always fulfilled. If you do not believe, then travel through the land and see. Therefore, you too should be cautious in this matter.
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