سُوْرَةُ اٰلِ عِمْرٰنَ
Surah Aal-i-Imraan (3) — Ayah 143
وَلَقَدْ كُنتُمْ تَمَنَّوْنَ ٱلْمَوْتَ مِن قَبْلِ أَن تَلْقَوْهُ فَقَدْ رَأَيْتُمُوهُ وَأَنتُمْ تَنظُرُونَ ﴿143﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
You did indeed wish for death (Ash-Shahâdah - martyrdom) before you met it. Now you have seen it openly with your own eyes.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَلَقَدْ
walaqad
And certainly
كُنتُمْ
kuntum
you used to
تَمَنَّوْنَ
tamannawna
wish
ٱلْمَوْتَ
l-mawta
(for) death
مِن
min
from
قَبْلِ
qabli
before
أَن
an
[that]
تَلْقَوْهُ
talqawhu
you met it
فَقَدْ
faqad
then indeed
رَأَيْتُمُوهُ
ra-aytumūhu
you have seen it
وَأَنتُمْ
wa-antum
while you (were)
تَنظُرُونَ
tanẓurūna
looking on
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 143) {وَ لَقَدْ كُنْتُمْ تَمَنَّوْنَ الْمَوْتَ :} Here, "death" means battle or martyrdom. (Baghawi) Those who did not get the opportunity to be present at the Battle of Badr used to wish that if they got a chance to face the enemy, they too would attain the rank of the martyrs of Badr. However, when the opportunity arose at the Battle of Uhud, due to the enemy's sudden attack, they could not remain steadfast and some fled. In this verse, addressing the Companions, it is said that according to your wish, now this opportunity has come, so you should have faced the enemy with full bravery and shown steadfastness. Abdullah bin Abi Awfa (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Do not wish to meet the enemy, but keep asking Allah for well-being. However, if you do encounter the enemy, then be patient, and know well that Paradise is under the shade of swords." [ بخاری، الجہاد والسیر، باب لا تمنوا لقاء العدو : ۳۰۲۵ ]
