Surah Aal-i-Imraan (3) — Ayah 140
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
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.
➋ {وَ تِلْكَ الْاَيَّامُ …:} In the Battle of Uhud, the Muslims suffered heavy casualties. The taunts of the Jews and hypocrites further added to the pain. The hypocrites used to say that if you (ﷺ) were a true Prophet, then why would the Muslims suffer such loss and humiliation, etc. In these verses, the Muslims are comforted that victory and defeat are things that alternate, they are not the criteria of truth and falsehood. If today you have been wounded, then yesterday, in the Battle of Badr, they too suffered similar wounds at your hands, and at the very beginning of this battle, many of their men were killed, as is evident from this verse: «اِذْ تَحُسُّوْنَهُمْ بِاِذْنِهٖ » [ آل عمران : ۱۵۲ ] (When you were cutting them down by His command). There are many hidden wisdoms in your defeat as well; one is that a distinction was made between faith and disbelief, and sincerity and hypocrisy, the believers and hypocrites became separated. If the Muslims had always been victorious, the hypocrisy of the hypocrites would not have become apparent. Secondly, the believers attained martyrdom, which is, as stated: «وَ يَتَّخِذَ مِنْكُمْ شُهَدَآءَ» a great honor in the sight of Allah. The temporary victory of the disbelievers does not mean that Allah loves the wrongdoers and polytheists, as stated: «وَ اللّٰهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الظّٰلِمِيْنَ» "And Allah does not love the wrongdoers." Thirdly, that He may purify the believers, and if there is any deficiency among them, He may remove it, as stated: «وَ لِيُمَحِّصَ اللّٰهُ الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا» "And that Allah may purify those who believe." And fourthly, that the aim is to eliminate the power of the disbelievers, «وَ يَمْحَقَ الْكٰفِرِيْنَ» in such a way that, becoming arrogant over their temporary victory, they will come to fight again, and at that time they will be so crushed that they will never dare to turn in this direction again. Thus, at the occasion of the Battle of Ahzab, this is exactly what happened: after that, the disbelievers fought defensive battles but never dared to attack themselves. (Razi, Shawkani)
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.
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.
[126] The disbelievers suffered a greater blow in the Battle of Badr. At that time, seventy leaders of the disbelievers were killed and seventy were taken captive. Whereas in the Battle of Uhud, seventy Muslims were martyred, and by the grace and mercy of Allah, not a single Muslim was taken captive. Because ultimately, the field remained in the hands of the Muslims and the Quraysh of Makkah had to retreat.
The Wisdoms Behind the Temporary Defeat in the Battle of Uhud:
In this verse, the disheartened Muslims are being consoled. Then, some of the wisdoms behind this defeat are mentioned. One of them is that happiness and sorrow, victory and defeat, success and failure, prosperity and adversity are things that happen to everyone among people. Therefore, if the Muslims suffered a temporary defeat, there is no reason to be grieved or disheartened. They should look at the disbelievers, who, despite being badly beaten in the field of Badr, came again to fight in support of falsehood with renewed determination. The second wisdom in this battle is that the true believers and the hypocrites may be distinguished, which you may see with your own eyes.
﴿وَيَتَّخِذَ مِنْكُمْ شُهَدَا﴾
The second meaning of this could also be that some among you may attain the rank of martyrdom.
[127] By "the wrongdoers" is meant the same group of hypocrites who returned with Abdullah bin Ubayy, and at the time when the Muslims suffered defeat, these people were at the forefront in spreading disheartenment among the Muslims.
