SURAH AL-IMRAN (AYAH 141 to 150)

وَلِيُمَحِّصَ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَيَمْحَقَ الْكَافِرِينَ {3:141}

[Q3:141] Wa liyumahhisal laahul lazeena aamanoo wa yamhaqal kaafireen.
[Q3:141] And that He may purge those who believe and deprive the unbelievers of blessings. 

[Q3:141] Dan juga supaya ALLAH (SwT) membersihkan orang-orang yang beriman (dari dosa-dosa mereka) dan membinasakan orang-orang yang kafir. 

(see commentary for verse 140)

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(3:141) and makes men go through trials in order that He might purge the believers and blot out those who deny the Truth.

أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَنْ تَدْخُلُوا الْجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَعْلَمِ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ جَاهَدُوا مِنْكُمْ وَيَعْلَمَ الصَّابِرِينَ {3:142}

[Q3:142] Am hasibtum an tadkhulul Jannnata wa lammaa ya'lamil laahul lazeena jaahadoo minkum wa ya'lamas saabireen.

[Q3:142] Do you think that you will enter the garden while ALLAH (SWT) has not yet known those who strive hard from among you, and (He has not) known the patient. 

[Q3:142] Adakah kamu menyangka bahawa kamu akan masuk Syurga padahal belum lagi nyata kepada ALLAH (SwT) (wujudnya) orang-orang yang berjihad (yang berjuang dengan bersungguh-sungguh) di antara kamu dan (belum lagi) nyata (wujudnya) orang-orang yang sabar (tabah dan cekal hati dalam perjuangan)? 

(see commentary for verse 140)

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(3:142) Did you think that you would enter Paradise even though Allah has not yet seen who among you strove hard in His way and remained steadfast?

وَلَقَدْ كُنْتُمْ تَمَنَّوْنَ الْمَوْتَ مِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ تَلْقَوْهُ فَقَدْ رَأَيْتُمُوهُ وَأَنْتُمْ تَنْظُرُونَ {3:143}

[Q3:143] Wa laqad kuntum tamannnawnal mawta min qabli an talqawhu faqad ra aitumoohu wa antum tanzuroon.

[Q3:143] And certainly you desired death before you met it, so indeed you have seen it and you look (at it)

[Q3:143] Dan sesungguhnya kamu telah mengharap-harapkan mati Syahid (dalam perang Sabil) sebelum kamu menghadapinya. Maka sesungguhnya kamu (sekarang) telahpun menyaksikannya dan kamu sedang melihatnya (dengan mata kepala sendiri). 

Persons who were not at Badr desired to be present with the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) at another battle in order to gain the distinction (of being known as victors or martyrs) obtained by the heros of Badr.

Ü  When they had seen the battle of Uhad and brought back their slain and wounded relatives, they indulged in lamentation and felt miserable.

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(3:143) You previously longed for death (in the way of Allah): now you have faced it, observing it with your own eyes. *102

*102. This is with reference to those Companions who had urged the Prophet to go out of Madina and take on the enemy there because of their ardent desire for martyrdom. (See Ibn Sa'd, Tabaqat, vol. 2, p. 38 - Ed.) 

SECTION 15

Preseverance and patience in suffering---enjoined

To be steadfast in faith and to be patient in suffering---Warning to the companions of the Apostle of ALLAH against giving way in the events of trials and turning their backs upon their heels.

وَمَا مُحَمَّدٌ إِلَّا رَسُولٌ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِنْ قَبْلِهِ الرُّسُلُ ۚ أَفَإِنْ مَاتَ أَوْ قُتِلَ انْقَلَبْتُمْ عَلَىٰ أَعْقَابِكُمْ ۚ وَمَنْ يَنْقَلِبْ عَلَىٰ عَقِبَيْهِ فَلَنْ يَضُرَّ اللَّهَ شَيْئًا ۗ وَسَيَجْزِي اللَّهُ الشَّاكِرِينَ {3:144}

[Q3:144] Wa maa Muhammadun illaa Rasoolun qad khalat min qablihir Rusul; afa'im maata aw qutilan qalabtum 'alaaa a'qaabikum; wa mai yanqalib 'alaa aqibihi falai yadurral laaha shai'aa; wa sayajzil laahush shaakireen.
[Q3:144] And Muhammad is no more than a messenger; the messengers have already passed away before him; if then he dies or is killed will you turn back upon your heels? And whoever turns back upon his heels, he will by no means do harm to ALLAH (SWT) in the least and ALLAH (SWT) will reward the grateful.

[Q3:144] Dan Muhammad itu tidak lain hanyalah seorang Rasul yang sudahpun didahului oleh beberapa orang Rasul (yang telah mati atau terbunuh). Jika demikian, kalau dia pula mati atau terbunuh, (patutkah) kamu berbalik (berpaling tadah menjadi kafir)? Dan (ingatlah), sesiapa yang berbalik (menjadi kafir) maka dia tidak akan mendatangkan mudarat kepada ALLAH (SwT) sedikitpun dan (sebaliknya) ALLAH (SwT) akan memberi balasan pahala kepada orang-orang yang bersyukur (akan nikmat Islam yang tidak ada bandingannya itu).

Muhammad (literally means a man praised much, or repeatedly, or time and again; endowed with divine wisdom) to the end of his life claimed for himself the title of "the prophet of ALLAH (SWT)" only. "Your comrade neither errs, nor is deceived, nor does he speaks of his own desire, it is but a revelation revealed", says the Qur’an in al Najm 53:2 to 5.

Ü  Those who had run away from the battlefield returned to Madina after three days and told the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) that they took to flight BECAUSE they heard a cry announcing his death. IN REPLY THIS VERSE WAS REVEALED.

TRUTH, AT ALL EVENTS, REMAINS POSITIVE AND RELIABLE. THEREFORE, if the messenger of ALLAH (SWT) departs from this world there is no excuse to turn on one's heels and forsake his teachings. 1. He who does so hurts himself. 2. Those who ran away from the battle of Uhad have been referred to in this verse. See commentary of verses 121 and 122 of this surah.

v  Some of the companions said, "Had he been a prophet, he would not have been killed, return therefore to your brethren and your ancestral religion".

Anas bin Nadar exhorted the fleeing deserters not to give up the fight because the ALLAH (SWT) of Muhammad is ever-living and eternal, even if the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) was no more among them.

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(3:144) Muhammad is no more than a Messenger, and Messengers have passed away before him. If, then, he were to die or be slain will you turn about on your heels? *103 Whoever turns about on his heels can in no way harm Allah. As for the grateful ones, Allah will soon reward them.

*103. When the rumour of the Prophet's martyrdom spread during the battle, it disheartened most of the Companions. The hypocrites who were in the Muslim camp began to advise the believers to approach 'Abd Allah b. Ubayy so that he might secure protection for them from Abu Sufyan. Some went so far as to say that had Muhammad really been the Messenger of God he would not have been put to death, and for that reason they counselled people to revert to their ancestral faith. It is in this context that the Muslims are now told that if their devotion to the truth is wholly bound up with the person of Muhammad (peace be on him), and if their submission to God is so lukewarm that his demise would cause them to plunge back into the disbelief they had cast off, then they should bear in mind the fact that Islam does not need them. 

وَمَا كَانَ لِنَفْسٍ أَنْ تَمُوتَ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ كِتَابًا مُؤَجَّلًا ۗ وَمَنْ يُرِدْ ثَوَابَ الدُّنْيَا نُؤْتِهِ مِنْهَا وَمَنْ يُرِدْ ثَوَابَ الْآخِرَةِ نُؤْتِهِ مِنْهَا ۚ وَسَنَجْزِي الشَّاكِرِينَ {3:145}

[Q3:145] Wa maa kaana linafsin an tamoota illaa bi iznillaahi kitaabam mu'ajjalaa; wa mai yurid sawaabad dunyaa nu'tihee minhaa wa mai yurid sawaabal Aakhirati nu'tihee minhaa; wa sanajzish shaakireen.

[Q3:145] And a soul will not die but with the permission of ALLAH (SWT) the term is fixed; and whoever desires the reward of this world, I shall give him of it, and whoever desires the reward of the hereafter I shall give him of it, and I will reward the grateful.

[Q3:145] Dan (tiap-tiap) makhluk yang bernyawa tidak akan mati melainkan dengan izin ALLAH (SwT), iaitu ketetapan (ajal) yang tertentu masanya (yang telah ditetapkan oleh ALLAH (SwT)) dan (dengan yang demikian) sesiapa yang menghendaki balasan dunia, kami berikan bahagiannya dari balasan dunia itu dan sesiapa yang menghendaki balasan akhirat, kami berikan bahagiannya dari balasan akhirat itu dan Kami pula akan beri balasan pahala kepada orang-orang yang bersyukur.

NO ONE CAN DIE UNLESS ALLAH (SWT) DISPENSES, OR HIS APPOINTED TERM EXPIRES. Death shall come neither before nor after that time. It is not possible to delay death by keeping away from battle. Verse 62:8 of al Jumu-ah also confirms this fact.

µ  Those who desire benefits of this world shall be deprived of their portion in the hereafter, BECAUSE THEY DO NOT SACRIFICE THEIR LIVES, PROPERTY AND THAT WHICH THEY HOLD DEAR, IN THE CAUSE OF ALLAH (SWT).

µ  Those who are thankful for ALLAH (SWT)'s bounties and never hesitate to put at ALLAH (SWT)'s disposal everything they receive from Him, shall be rewarded.

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(3:145) It is not given to any soul to die except with the leave of Allah, and at an appointed time. *104 And he who desires his reward in this world, We shall grant him the reward of this world; and he who desires the reward of the Other World, *105 We shall grant him the reward of the Other World. And soon shall We reward the ones who are grateful. *106

*104. The purpose of this directive is to bring home to the Muslims that it would be futile for them to try to flee from death. No one can either die before or survive the moment determined for death by God. Hence one should not waste one's time thinking how to escape death. Instead, one should take stock of one's activities and see whether one's efforts have either been directed merely to one's well-being in this world or to well-being in the Hereafter. 
*105. The word thawab denotes recompense and reward. The 'reward of this world' signifies the totality of benefits and advantages which a man receives as a consequence of his actions and efforts within the confines of this world. The 'reward of the Other World' denotes the benefits that a man will receive in the lasting World to Come as the fruits of his actions and efforts. From the Islamic point of view, the crucial question bearing upon human morals is whether a man keeps his attention focused on the worldly results of his endeavours or on the results which will acrue to him in the Next World. 
*106. The 'ones who are grateful' are those who fully appreciate God's favour in making the true religion available to them, and thereby intimating to them knowledge of a realm that is infinitely vaster than this world. Such people appreciate that God has graciously informed them of the truth so that the consequences of human endeavour are not confined to the brief span of earthly life but cover a vast expanse, embracing both the present life and the much more important life of the Hereafter.
A grateful man is he who, having gained this breadth of outlook and having developed this long-range perception of the ultimate consequences of things, persists in acts of righteousness out of his faith in God and his confidence in God's assurance that they will bear fruit in the Hereafter. He does so even though he may sometimes find that, far from bearing fruit, righteousness leads to privation and suffering in this world. The ungrateful ones are those who persist in a narrow preoccupation with earthly matters. They are those who disregard the evil consequences of unrighteousness in the Hereafter, seizing everything which appears to yield benefits and advantages in this world, and who are not prepared to devote their time and energy to those acts of goodness which promise to bear fruit in the Hereafter and which are either unlikely to yield earthly advantages or are fraught with risks. Such people are ungrateful and lack appreciation of the valuable knowledge vouchsafed to them by God. 

وَكَأَيِّنْ مِنْ نَبِيٍّ قَاتَلَ مَعَهُ رِبِّيُّونَ كَثِيرٌ فَمَا وَهَنُوا لِمَا أَصَابَهُمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَمَا ضَعُفُوا وَمَا اسْتَكَانُوا ۗ وَاللَّهُ يُحِبُّ الصَّابِرِينَ{3:146}

[Q3:146] Wa ka aiyim min Nabiyyin qaatala ma'ahoo ribbiyyoona kaseerun famaa wahanoo limaaa Asaabahum fee sabeelil laahi wa maa da'ufoo wa mas takaanoo; wallaahu yuhibbus saabireen.
[Q3:146] And how many a prophet has fought with whom were many worshippers of the Lord; so they did not become weak-hearted on account of what befell them in ALLAH (SWT)'s way, nor did they weaken, nor did they abase themselves; and ALLAH (SWT) loves the patient.

[Q3:146] Dan berapa banyak dari Nabi-nabi (dahulu) telah berperang dengan disertai oleh ramai orang-orang yang taat kepada ALLAH (SwT), maka mereka tidak merasa lemah semangat akan apa yang telah menimpa mereka pada jalan (agama) ALLAH (SwT) dan mereka juga tidak lemah tenaga dan tidak pula mahu tunduk (kepada musuh) dan (ingatlah), ALLAH (SwT) sentiasa Mengasihi orang-orang yang sabar.

Many a prophet has fought, with a number of godly men beside him, against the infidels, in the cause of ALLAH (SWT), and disasters befell them BUT their zeal did not diminish in the least, nor did they humble themselves before the enemy. THEREFORE, He helped them and exalted their position.

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(3:146) Many were the Prophets on whose side a large number of God-devoted men fought: they neither lost heart for all they had to suffer in the way of Allah nor did they weaken nor did they abase themselves. *107 Allah loves such steadfast ones.

*107. They did not surrender to the followers of falsehood merely because of their numerical inferiority and lack of resources. 

وَمَا كَانَ قَوْلَهُمْ إِلَّا أَنْ قَالُوا رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَإِسْرَافَنَا فِي أَمْرِنَا وَثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَنَا وَانْصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ {3:147}

[Q3:147] Wa maa kaana qawlahum illaa an qaaloo Rabbanagh fir lanaa zunoobanaa wa israafanaa feee amirnaa wa sabbit aqdaamanaa wansurnaa 'alal qawmil kaafireen.

[Q3:147] And their saying was no other than that they said: Our Lord! Forgive us our faults and our extravagance in our affair and make firm our feet and help us against the unbelieving people.

[Q3:147] Dan tidaklah ada yang mereka ucapkan (semasa berjuang), selain daripada berdoa dengan berkata: Wahai Tuhan kami! Ampunkanlah dosa-dosa kami dan perbuatan kami yang melampau dalam urusan kami dan teguhkanlah tapak pendirian kami (dalam perjuangan) dan tolonglah kami mencapai kemenangan terhadap kaum yang kafir. 

Verse 147 IS THE PRAYER OF EVERY PROPHET. **Pure and sincere, **far from any faltering in act and deed, **the godly and pious, in the **fervour of their prayers and **purity of their hearts, in order to humble themselves before ALLAH (SWT), ascribe excesses to themselves.

ß  BY REASON OF **THEIR STEADFASTNESS AND **THEIR ASKING FORGIVENESS AND **SEEKING REFUGE WITH ALLAH (SWT), ALLAH (SWT) GRANTS THEM VICTORY AGAINST INFIDELS, glorifies their mission and enhances their reputation in this world, and gives an excellent reward in the hereafter, which alone is of consequence with ALLAH (SWT).

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(3:147) And all they said was this: 'Our Lord! Forgive us our sins, and our excesses, and set our feet firm, and succour us against those who deny the Truth.'

فَآتَاهُمُ اللَّهُ ثَوَابَ الدُّنْيَا وَحُسْنَ ثَوَابِ الْآخِرَةِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ {3:148}

[Q3:148] Fa aataahumul laahu sawaabad dunyaa wa husna sawaabil Aakhirah; wallaahu yuhibbul muhsineen.
[Q3:148] So ALLAH (SWT) gave them the reward of this world and better reward of the hereafter and ALLAH (SWT) loves those who do good (to others).

[Q3:148] Oleh itu ALLAH (SwT) memberikan mereka pahala dunia (kemenangan dan nama yang harum), dan pahala akhirat yang sebaik-baiknya (nikmat Syurga yang tidak ada bandingannya). Dan (ingatlah), ALLAH (SwT) sentiasa mengasihi orang-orang yang berbuat kebaikan. 

(see commentary for verse 147)

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(3:148) Thereupon Allah granted them the reward of this world as well as a better reward of the World to Come. Allah loves those who do good.

SECTION 16

Delinquency and Dreadsome Muslims in the Battle of Ohod

Dread and delinquency on the part of some Muslims the causes of the misfortune in the Battle of Ohod---after the promise victory---The deliquents murmuring.

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنْ تُطِيعُوا الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا يَرُدُّوكُمْ عَلَىٰ أَعْقَابِكُمْ فَتَنْقَلِبُوا خَاسِرِينَ {3:149}

[Q3:149] Yaaa 'aiyuhal lazeena aamanoo in tutee'ullazeena kafaroo yaruddookum 'alaaa a'qaabkum fatanqaliboo khaasireen.

[Q3:149] O’ you who believe! If you obey those who disbelieve they will turn you back upon your heels, so you will turn back losers.

[Q3:149] Wahai orang-orang yang beriman! Jika kamu taatkan orang-orang yang kafir nescaya mereka akan menolak kamu kembali kepada kekufuran, lalu jadilah kamu orang-orang yang rugi.

When the Jews of Bani Qaynqa were plotting to create hostility between the two Muslim tribes (Aus and Khazraj) this verse was revealed. IT IS A WARNING TO THE MUSLIMS "not to pay attention to the disbelievers because they will make you turn on your heels; and you will be the losers.

õ  ALLAH (SWT) IS YOUR GUARDIAN AND HE IS THE BEST OF HELPERS (if you are sincere and stead fast in your faith and have implicit confidence in His guardianship and in His help)".

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(3:149) Believers! If you follow those who deny the Truth, they will drive you back on your heels, *108 and you will turn about, losers.

*108. That is, they would push them back into the same state of unbelief from which they had extricated themselves. Since the Battle of Uhud the hypocrites and the Jews had constantly propagated the idea that, had Muhammad been a true Prophet, he would not have suffered the reverse that he encountered in that battle. This reverse was offered as proof that Muhammad (peace be on him) was an ordinary person whose fortunes varied, like those of other men, between victory and defeat. They further contended that the support and patronage of God which Muhammad claimed to enjoy was a sham. 

بَلِ اللَّهُ مَوْلَاكُمْ ۖ وَهُوَ خَيْرُ النَّاصِرِينَ {3:150}

[Q3:150] Balil laahu mawlaakum wa Huwa khairun naasireen. 

[Q3:150] Nay! ALLAH (SWT) is your Patron and He is the best of the helpers.

[Q3:150] (Janganlah kamu taatkan mereka!) Bahkan (taatlah kepada) ALLAH (SwT) Pelindung kamu dan Dialah sebaik-baik Penolong. 

(see commentary for verse 149)

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(3:150) But Allah is your Protector, and He is the best of helpers.

SURAH AL-IMRAN (AYAH 131 to 140)

وَاتَّقُوا النَّارَ الَّتِي أُعِدَّتْ لِلْكَافِرِينَ {3:131}

[Q3:131] Wattaqun Naaral lateee u'iddat lilkaafireen.
[Q3:131] And guard yourselves against the fire which has been prepared for the unbelievers.

[Q3:131] Dan peliharalah diri kamu dari api Neraka, yang disediakan bagi orang-orang kafir.

ALLAH (SWT) INVITES MANKIND TO OBEY HIM AND HIS MESSENGER, THE HOLY PROPHET (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) (without making adjustments in what he has said and done by making use of one's own discretion) IF FORGIVENESS FROM THE LORD IS TO BE OBTAINED so as to deserve an abode in the land of eternal bliss and happiness of unimaginable depth and dimensions, OTHERWISE the hell, prepared for the disbelievers, shall also welcome the deviators who amended and changed the commands of the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad).

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(3:131) And have fear of the Fire which awaits those who deny the Truth.

وَأَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَالرَّسُولَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ {3:132}

[Q3:132] Wa atee'ul laaha war Rasoola la'allakum turhamoon.
[Q3:132] And obey ALLAH (SWT) and the Messenger, that you may be shown mercy. 

[Q3:132] Dan taatlah kamu kepada ALLAH (SwT) dan RasulNya, supaya kamu diberi rahmat. 

(see commentary for verse 131)

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(3:132) And obey Allah and the Messenger, that you may be shown mercy. And hasten to the for-giveness of your Lord and to a Paradise as vast as the heavens and the earth, prepared for the God-fearing who spend in the way of Allah both in plenty and hardship, who restrain their anger, and forgive others. Allah loves such good-doers."

وَسَارِعُوا إِلَىٰ مَغْفِرَةٍ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ وَجَنَّةٍ عَرْضُهَا السَّمَاوَاتُ وَالْأَرْضُ أُعِدَّتْ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ {3:133}

[Q3:133] Wa saari'ooo ilaa maghfiratim mir Rabbikum wa Jannatin arduhassamaawaatu wal ardu u'iddat lilmuttaqeen.
[Q3:133] And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord; and a Garden, the extensiveness of which is (as) the heavens and the earth, it is prepared for those who guard (against evil).

[Q3:133] Dan segeralah kamu kepada (mengerjakan amal-amal yang baik untuk mendapat) keampunan dari Tuhan kamu dan (mendapat) Syurga yang bidangnya seluas segala langit dan bumi, yang disediakan bagi orang-orang yang bertakwa; 

(see commentary for verse 131)

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(3:133) And hasten to the for-giveness of your Lord and to a Paradise as vast as the heavens and the earth, prepared for the God-fearing.

الَّذِينَ يُنْفِقُونَ فِي السَّرَّاءِ وَالضَّرَّاءِ وَالْكَاظِمِينَ الْغَيْظَ وَالْعَافِينَ عَنِ النَّاسِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ {3:134}

[Q3:134] Allazeena yunfiqoona fissarraaa'i waddarraaa'i wal kaazimeenal ghaiza wal aafeena 'anin-naas; wallaahu yuhibbul muhsineen.

[Q3:134] Those who spend (benevolently) in ease as well as in straitness, and those who restrain (their) anger and pardon men; and ALLAH (SWT) loves the doers of good (to others).

[Q3:134] Iaitu orang-orang yang mendermakan hartanya pada masa senang dan susah dan orang-orang yang menahan kemarahannya dan orang-orang yang memaafkan kesalahan orang dan (ingatlah), ALLAH (SwT) mengasihi orang-orang yang berbuat perkara-perkara yang baik;

See commentary of verses 2:3, 195, 215, 245, 254, 261 to 273 of al Baqarah FOR SPENDING IN THE WAY OF ALLAH (SWT).

The Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) has said:

v  A generous spender in the way of ALLAH (SWT) is very near to ALLAH (SWT), paradise and men; but the gap between a miser and ALLAH (SWT), on one side, and paradise and men on the other, can never be bridged.

v  ALLAH (SWT) loves an illiterate generous spender more than a miserly scholar.

Repressors of rage:-

r  Are those who refrain from giving vent to their wrath while they have the power to inflict harm, AND

r  Pardoners of men are those who refrain from punishing when they have a right as well as capability to punish.

v  Imam Hasan, the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad)'s eldest grandson, was once being served his meal by his slave servant, who accidentally threw on him a dish boiling hot, and fearing a severe punishment, immediately recited the words "the repressors of rage". Hasan said, "I am not angry." "And the forgivers of men", proceeded the servant. "I forgive", replied the Imam. "And ALLAH (SWT) loves the doers of good", concluded the servant. "Since it is so, I give you liberty and four hundred pieces of silver;" replied the Imam.

The Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) is the "mercy unto the worlds" (Ambiya 21:107), AND Ali is a guide and mercy (Hud 11:17). THEREFORE, there are several events in their lives, mentioned in the authentic books of history, which establish Muhammad and Ali as the perfect models, divinely set up for the guidance of mankind.

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(3:134) who spend in the way of Allah both in plenty and hardship, who restrain their anger, and forgive others. Allah loves such good-doers."  *99

*99. The existence of interest in a society generates two kinds of moral disease. It breeds greed and avarice, meanness and selfishness among those who receive interest. At the same time, those who have to pay interest develop strong feelings of hatred, resentment, spite and jealousy. God intimates to the believers that the attributes bred by the spread of interest are the exact opposite of those which develop as a result of spending in the way of God, and that it is through the latter rather than the former that man can achieve God's forgiveness and Paradise. (For further explanation see Surah 2, n. 320 above.) 

وَالَّذِينَ إِذَا فَعَلُوا فَاحِشَةً أَوْ ظَلَمُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ ذَكَرُوا اللَّهَ فَاسْتَغْفَرُوا لِذُنُوبِهِمْ وَمَنْ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَلَمْ يُصِرُّوا عَلَىٰ مَا فَعَلُوا وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ {3:135}

[Q3:135] Wallazeena izaa fa'aloo faahishatan aw zalamooo anfusahum zakarul laaha fastaghfaroo lizunoobihim; wa mai yaghfiruz zunooba illal laahu wa lam yusirroo 'alaa maa fa'aloo wa hum ya'lamooo. 
[Q3:135] And those who when they commit an indecency or do injustice to their souls remember ALLAH (SWT) and ask forgiveness for their faults-- and who forgives the faults but ALLAH (SWT), and (who) do not knowingly persist in what they have done.

[Q3:135] Dan juga orang-orang yang apabila melakukan perbuatan keji atau menganiaya diri sendiri, mereka segera ingat kepada ALLAH (SwT) lalu memohon ampun akan dosa mereka dan sememangnya tidak ada yang mengampunkan dosa-dosa melainkan ALLAH (SwT) dan mereka juga tidak meneruskan perbuatan keji yang mereka telah lakukan itu, sedangkan mereka mengetahui (akan salahnya dan akibatnya) 

THOSE WHO DO ILL-DEEDS, IN FACT, WRONG THEMSELVES. EVERY SINNER CORRUPTS HIS OWN SOUL AND DESERVES PUNISHMENT. If by remorse and making amends in the way prescribed by the divine law he turns repentant to ALLAH (SWT), his sins may be forgiven.

IT IS ALLAH (SWT) WHO ALONE CAN FORGIVE THOSE SINNERS WHO DO NOT PERSIST IN THAT WHICH THEY HAVE DONE.

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(3:135) These are the ones who, when they commit any indecency and wrong against themselves, instantly remember Allah and implore forgiveness for their sins - for who will forgive sins save Allah? - and who do not wilfully persist in the wrong they did.

أُولَٰئِكَ جَزَاؤُهُمْ مَغْفِرَةٌ مِنْ رَبِّهِمْ وَجَنَّاتٌ تَجْرِي مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا ۚ وَنِعْمَ أَجْرُ الْعَامِلِينَ {3:136}

[Q3:136] Ulaaa'ika jazaaa'uhum maghfiratum mir Rabbihim wa Jannaatun tajree min tahtihal anhaaru khaalideena feeha; wa ni'ma ajrul 'aamileen.
[Q3:136] (As for) these-- their reward is forgiveness from their Lord, and gardens beneath which rivers flow, to abide in them, and excellent is the reward of the laborers.

[Q3:136] Orang-orang yang demikian sifatnya, balasannya ialah keampunan dari Tuhan mereka, dan Syurga-syurga yang mengalir di bawahnya beberapa sungai, mereka kekal di dalamnya dan yang demikian itulah sebaik-baik balasan (bagi) orang-orang yang beramal.

IN ISLAM MERE IDEOLOGICAL OR THEORETICAL BELIEF IS OF NO USE. ISLAM LAYS STRESS ON ACTION.

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(3:136) They shall be recompensed by forgiveness from their Lord and by gardens beneath which rivers flow; there they shall abide. How good is the reward of those who labour!

قَدْ خَلَتْ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ سُنَنٌ فَسِيرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ فَانْظُرُوا كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الْمُكَذِّبِينَ {3:137}

[Q3:137] Qad khalat min qablikum sunanum faseeroo fil ardi fanzuroo kaifa kaana 'aaqiba tul mukazzibeen.
[Q3:137] Indeed there have been examples before you; therefore travel in the earth and see what the end of the rejecters was.

[Q3:137] Sesungguhnya telah berlaku sebelum kamu (contoh kejadian-kejadian berdasarkan) peraturan-peraturan ALLAH (SwT) yang tetap; oleh itu mengembaralah kamu di muka bumi, kemudian perhatikanlah bagaimana akibat orang-orang yang mendustakan (Rasul-rasul).

Ruin and perdition in the world was the fate of those who belied the messengers of ALLAH (SWT). The vestiges of their destruction are visible everywhere.

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(3:137) Many eras have passed before you. Go about, then, in the land and behold the end of those who gave the lie to (the directives and ordinances of Allah).

هَٰذَا بَيَانٌ لِلنَّاسِ وَهُدًى وَمَوْعِظَةٌ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ {3:138}

[Q3:138] Haazaa bayaanul linnaasi wa hudanw wa maw'izatul lilmuttaqeen.

[Q3:138] This is a clear statement for men, and a guidance and an admonition to those who guard (against evil).

[Q3:138] (Al-Quran) ini ialah penerangan kepada seluruh umat manusia dan petunjuk serta pengajaran bagi orang-orang yang (hendak) bertakwa. 

THOSE WHO ARE AWARE OF THE BOUNDARIES LAID DOWN BY ALLAH (SWT), GUARD THEMSELVES AGAINST EVIL AND TAKE REFUGE WITH ALLAH (SWT), they alone can understand and teach the Qur’an. See commentary of muttaqin in verses 2:2 and 177 of al Baqarah.

r  Shirk (polytheism) is the greatest evil.

The Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) and his Ahlul Bayt, historically, were the only persons who never worshipped any one other than ALLAH (SWT), THEREFORE, IT IS THE WILL OF ALLAH (SWT) THAT MANKIND SHOULD LEARN THE MEANING AND PURPORT OF THE QUR’AN FROM THE AHLUL BAYT, CONFIRMED BY THE HOLY PROPHET (ALLAHUMA SALI ALA MUHAMMAD WA ALA ALI MUHAMMAD) IN HIS FAREWELL ADDRESS TO THE NATION (HADITH AL THAQALAYN).

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(3:138) This is a plain exposition for men, and a guidance and admonition for the Godfearing.

وَلَا تَهِنُوا وَلَا تَحْزَنُوا وَأَنْتُمُ الْأَعْلَوْنَ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ مُؤْمِنِينَ {3:139}

[Q3:139] Wa laa tahinoo wa laa tahzanoo wa antumul a'lawna in kuntum mu'mineen.
[Q3:139] And be not infirm, and be not grieving, and you shall have the upper hand if you are believers.

[Q3:139] Dan janganlah kamu merasa lemah (dalam perjuangan mempertahan dan menegakkan Islam) dan janganlah kamu berdukacita (terhadap apa yang akan menimpa kamu), padahal kamulah orang-orang yang tertinggi (mengatasi musuh dengan mencapai kemenangan) jika kamu orang-orang yang (sungguh-sungguh) beriman. 

After the battle of Uhad this verse was revealed to create confidence in the Muslims so that they might not grieve excessively for the loss of relatives and lose heart BECAUSE of a partial set back in the battlefield (due to their own greed and lack of discipline).

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(3:139) Do not, then, either lose heart or grieve: for you shall surely gain the upper hand if you are true men of faith.

إِنْ يَمْسَسْكُمْ قَرْحٌ فَقَدْ مَسَّ الْقَوْمَ قَرْحٌ مِثْلُهُ ۚ وَتِلْكَ الْأَيَّامُ نُدَاوِلُهَا بَيْنَ النَّاسِ وَلِيَعْلَمَ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَيَتَّخِذَ مِنْكُمْ شُهَدَاءَ ۗ وَاللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الظَّالِمِينَ {3:140}

[Q3:140] Iny-yamsaskum qarhum faqad massal qawma qarhum misluh; wa tilkal ayyaamu nudaawiluhaa bainan naasi wa liya'lamal laahul lazeena aamanoo wa yattakhiza minkum shuhadaaa'; wallaahu laa yuh ibbuz zaalimeen. 

[Q3:140] If a wound has afflicted you (at Ohud), a wound like it has also afflicted the (unbelieving) people; and We bring these days to men by turns, and that ALLAH (SWT)  may know those who believe and take witnesses from among you; and ALLAH (SWT)  does not love the unjust.

[Q3:140] Jika kamu (dalam peperangan Uhud) mendapat luka (tercedera), maka sesungguhnya kaum (musyrik yang mencerobohi kamu) itu telah (tercedera juga dan) mendapat luka yang sama (dalam peperangan Badar) dan demikian itulah keadaan hari-hari (dunia ini dengan peristiwa-peristiwa kemenangan atau kekalahan), kami gilirkan dia antara sesama manusia, (supaya menjadi pengajaran) dan supaya nyata apa yang diketahui ALLAH (SwT) tentang orang-orang yang tetap beriman (dan yang sebaliknya), dan juga supaya ALLAH (SwT) menjadikan sebahagian di antara kamu orang-orang yang mati Syahid dan (ingatlah), ALLAH (SwT) tidak suka kepada orang-orang yang zalim. 

As stated in the commentary of verses 121 and 122 of this surah due to the fearless overpowering valour of Ali the enemy suffered heavy losses in men and material and finally ran away from the scene of combat, inflicted with a humiliating defeat.

¥  The setback the Muslims encountered (due to their greed and lack of discipline) can be described as the vicissitudes of success and failure. ALLAH (SWT) intended, by this reverse, to sift the true from the false among those who professed Islam. He wanted to test those who came into the fold of Islam for *material gain, *pride and *glory of victories. THEY FAILED MISERABLY. *Running away from the battlefield by deserting the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) was a shameful deed, as stated in verse 135 of this surah, exposing their inherent falsehood.

THE EARLY CONVERTS, more often than not, due to weakness in their faith, availed every opportunity to save their skin in the time of trouble. They were infidels at heart in the garb of hypocrisy. They were the hidden enemies of the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) and his Ahlul Bayt.

ON THE OTHER hand there was Ali, the representative of the Ahlul Bayt in the battle of Uhad, who not only stood by the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) and protected him from the assassins BUT ALSO turned the sure defeat into victory by dispersing the enemy through his steadfastness.

Ø  THIS VERSE GUIDES MANKIND, IN ALL AGES, TO IDENTIFY THE SINCERE SUPPORTER OF THE HOLY PROPHET (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) and his mission, and to distinctly name those deserters and hypocrites who have been described as the unjust (zalimin), whose names have been written in all the authentic books of history compiled by the well-known authors. ALLAH (SWT) DOES NOT LOVE THE UNJUST.

MERE COMPANIONSHIP OF THE HOLY PROPHET (ALLAHUMA SALI ALA MUHAMMAD WA ALA ALI MUHAMMAD) IS NOT ENOUGH TO BE BLESSED. THOSE WHO CLAIM "STRIVING HARD" MUST UNDERGO HARD TEST.

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(3:140) If a wound has befallen you a similar wound has already befallen the people who are opposed to you. *100 We make such movements to men in turn so that Allah might mark out those who are the true men of faith and select from among you those who do really bear witness (to the Truth): *101 for Allah does not love the wrong-doers,

*100. This alludes to the Battle of Badr. The intention is to point out to the Muslims that if the unbelievers were not demoralized by the setback they suffered at Badr then the Muslims should not be disheartened by the setback thev suffered in the Battle of Uhud. 
*101. The actual words of this verse, can be interpreted in two ways. One meaning could be that God wanted to select some of them so that He could bestow upon them the honour of martyrdom. The second meaning could be that out of the hotch-potch of true believers and hypocrites which their community consisted of at that moment, God wanted to sift those who were truly His witnesses over all mankind. (See Qur'an 2: 143 - Ed.)