Surah Aal-e-Imran

Surah Aal-e-Imran is the third surah of the Quran and a Madani surah. It comes after Surah Al-Baqarah, and the two together are called «الزَّهْرَاوَان» (the two radiant surahs). It begins with the disjointed letters «الٓمٓ» and opens with the oneness of Allah, the truth of the Quran and the confirmation of the earlier books, the Torah and the Injil.

Facts table

Reason for the name

The surah is named «آلِ عمران» because it tells of the family of Imran, the family of Hazrat Maryam (AS), Hazrat Zakariya (AS), Hazrat Yahya (AS) and Hazrat Isa (AS). Allah says that He chose Adam, Nuh, the family of Ibrahim and the family of Imran above all the worlds (3:33), and the story of Imran's wife and her daughter Maryam follows (3:35 to 37). The surah is named after this family, not because all its topics belong to them.

Other names

• Al-Zahra (the radiant one): the Prophet (ﷺ) called Al-Baqarah and Aal-e-Imran «الزَّهْرَاوَان» (Sahih Muslim). This is the name proved by an authentic hadith.
• Taybah (the pure one), Al-Kanz (the treasure) and Al-Amaan (security): names listed for the surah in standard books of tafsir.

The surah was revealed in Madinah, where three groups opposed the Muslims: the Quraish of Makkah, who came out against them at Badr and Uhud; the Jews of Madinah and the area, who hid the truth and plotted; and the Christians, whose delegation from Najran came to debate with the Prophet (ﷺ). The surah answers all three and prepares the Muslims for patience and unity.

Background in brief

Details of these events are given in the next sections.

Central themes

• Tawhid and the attributes of Allah, «الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّوْمُ» (3:2).
• Clear (muhkam) and allegorical (mutashabih) ayat, and the attitude of those firmly grounded in knowledge (3:7).
• The stories of Hazrat Maryam, Hazrat Zakariya, Hazrat Yahya and Hazrat Isa (AS), and the debate with the Najran delegation ending in the Mubahila (3:61).
• The religion of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS): neither Jew nor Christian but a Muslim, upright in faith (3:67), and the call to a common word (3:64).
• The faults of the People of the Book: distorting scripture, hiding the truth, breaking promises.
• Islam is the only religion accepted by Allah (3:19, 3:85).
• The first House of worship and the obligation of Hajj (3:96 to 97).
• Unity and holding fast to the rope of Allah; enjoining good and forbidding evil; the Ummah as the best community (3:102 to 110).
• Badr and Uhud: help from Allah, obedience to the Prophet (ﷺ), patience, the lessons of the setback (3:121 to 175).
• Avoiding usury, spending in the way of Allah, piety and hastening to forgiveness (3:130 to 136).
• The gentleness of the Prophet (ﷺ) and consultation (3:159); the martyrs are alive (3:169).
• Reflection on the heavens and earth, and the supplication of the people of understanding (3:190 to 191).

1. The hadith of Al-Zahrawan (Sahih Muslim)

Hazrat Abu Umamah al-Bahili (RA) reported that he heard the Prophet (ﷺ) say: recite the Quran, for it will come on the Day of Resurrection as an intercessor for those who recite it. Recite the two radiant ones, Al-Baqarah and Aal-e-Imran, for on the Day of Resurrection they will come like two clouds, or two canopies, or two flocks of birds in rows, pleading for those who recited them. (Sahih Muslim)

2. The last ayat (190 to 200) at night prayer (Bukhari and Muslim)

Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas (RA) reported that he spent a night in the house of his aunt Hazrat Maymunah (RA) to watch the night prayer of the Prophet (ﷺ). When the Prophet (ﷺ) woke up, he wiped the sleep from his face and recited the last ten ayat of Surah Aal-e-Imran (from «إِنَّ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَاوَاتِ»), then made wudu and prayed. (Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)

3. Other points of excellence

• The surah contains the first rule of understanding the Quran, the muhkam and mutashabih ayat (3:7).
• It contains many supplications that the Prophet (ﷺ) and the believers recite, such as «رَبَّنَا لَا تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا» (3:8) and the dua of the people of understanding (3:191 to 194).

• Name: after the family of Imran (3:33 to 35); Hazrat Imran is the father of Hazrat Maryam (AS).
• 3rd surah, 200 ayat, 20 rukus, paras 3 and 4, Madani.
• Other names: Al-Zahra (with Al-Baqarah, Al-Zahrawan), Taybah, Al-Kanz, Al-Amaan.
• Events: Najran delegation and Mubahila (3:61), Badr (3:13, 3:123 to 127), Uhud (from 3:121; 70 martyrs).
• Virtues: the hadith of Al-Zahrawan (Muslim); the last ten ayat at night prayer (Bukhari and Muslim).
• Hajj is made obligatory in 3:97; the first House of worship in 3:96.
• Key ayat: 3:7, 3:14, 3:31, 3:103, 3:104, 3:110, 3:134, 3:139, 3:159, 3:190 to 191.

Who were the people of Najran?

Najran was a town in the south of Arabia, towards Yemen, whose people were Christians. In 9 AH a delegation of their leaders and priests (reported as about sixty riders) came to Madinah to meet the Prophet (ﷺ). They debated about Hazrat Isa (AS): they said he was God or the son of God, because he was born without a father.

The answer of the Quran

The first part of the surah answers them: Hazrat Isa (AS) was a servant and messenger of Allah; his birth without a father is no proof of divinity, for Allah created Hazrat Adam (AS) from dust without a father or a mother (3:59). When they still argued after the truth had come, Allah ordered the Prophet (ﷺ) to invite them to the Mubahila.

What is Mubahila?

«مُبَاهَلَة» comes from «بَهْلَة», which means a curse or an earnest supplication. In the sense of this ayah, it is when two parties who disagree about the truth gather, pray earnestly together, and ask Allah to send His curse on whichever of them is lying. The command is in 3:61.

Whom did the Prophet (ﷺ) invite?

The Prophet (ﷺ) invited the Christians of Najran, who were non-Muslims (People of the Book). Each side was to bring its sons, women and themselves. When this ayah was revealed, the Prophet (ﷺ) called Hazrat Ali, Hazrat Fatimah, Hazrat Hasan and Hazrat Husain (RA) and said, O Allah, these are my family (Sahih Muslim, in the narration of Hazrat Sa'd bin Abi Waqqas (RA)).

The warning of the priests

When the Prophet (ﷺ) came out ready, the leaders of Najran consulted each other. According to the narrations in the books of seerah and tafsir, one of their senior men told the others: you know that he is a true prophet, and no people ever made Mubahila with a prophet but they were destroyed; if you do this, you will be destroyed, so make peace and return home. In Sahih Bukhari it is also reported that one leader said to the other, do not do it, for if he is a prophet and we invoke a curse, neither we nor our children will prosper afterwards.

The result

• The people of Najran declined the Mubahila.
• They agreed to a treaty and to pay jizyah (a tax paid by non-Muslims under Muslim protection) and asked for a trustworthy man to be sent with them; the Prophet (ﷺ) sent Hazrat Abu Ubaidah bin al-Jarrah (RA), calling him the trustworthy man of this Ummah (Sahih Bukhari).

What would have happened if the Mubahila had taken place?

According to the narrations in the books of tafsir and seerah, the people of Najran would have been destroyed: it is said that Allah's punishment would have overtaken them, so that not even the birds on the trees would have been left, and they would have found neither family nor property. The fact that they refused shows that they themselves knew the truth of the Prophet (ﷺ).

The first great battle between the Muslims and the Quraish took place at Badr on 17 Ramadan 2 AH. The Muslims were 313 (the common count) with very little equipment, against about 1,000 of the Quraish. Allah gave the believers victory, and the day is called «يَوْمُ الْفُرْقَان», the day of distinction between truth and falsehood (8:41). In the battle 14 Muslims were martyred, and 70 of the Quraish were killed and 70 taken prisoner.

Where Badr is mentioned in Aal-e-Imran

• 3:13: Badr is called a sign (ayah) for the believers: two armies met, one fighting in the way of Allah and the other disbelieving, and Allah supports with His help whom He wills. In it is a lesson for people of vision.
• 3:123: Allah helped you at Badr when you were weak and few, so fear Allah that you may be grateful.
• 3:124 to 125: the promise of help with angels, 3,000 and then 5,000 marked angels, on the condition of patience and piety.
• 3:126 to 127: the angels were only good news and comfort for the hearts, for victory comes from Allah alone; its purpose was to cut off a part of the disbelievers or humiliate them.

Note: Surah Al-Anfal (8:9) mentions a thousand angels. Scholars explain the different numbers as stages of the promise; in every case the angels were a glad tiding and a reassurance, and the real help was from Allah.

Lessons of Badr

• Victory depends on Allah's help, not on numbers or weapons.
• Allah's help comes with patience and piety.
• Be grateful to Allah for His favours.

Surah Aal-e-Imran describes the battle of Uhud in detail, from 3:121 onwards, with its lessons. This is the battle the papers connect with this surah (Set B: which battle is described in detail, and how many companions were martyred?).

Date, place and numbers

What happened

• The Prophet (ﷺ) placed 50 archers on the hill behind the army and ordered them to stay there whether the Muslims won or lost (Sahih Bukhari).
• At first the Muslims defeated the enemy and the Quraish fled.
• Seeing the booty, most of the archers left the hill, in spite of their commander's reminder of the Prophet's order.
• Khalid bin Walid, then still a disbeliever, attacked from behind through the empty pass, and the Muslims were thrown into confusion.
• The Prophet (ﷺ) was wounded, a rumour spread that he had been killed (3:144), and 70 companions were martyred.

The reason for the setback

The Quran gives the reason in the believers' own words: they lost courage, fell into dispute about the order, disobeyed, and some desired the world (3:152). When they asked, from where is this, the answer was: it is from yourselves (3:165). Disobedience to the command of the Prophet (ﷺ) and love of worldly gain caused the setback; yet Allah forgave them (3:152, 3:155).

Hazrat Hamzah (RA), Sayyid-ush-Shuhada

Hazrat Hamzah bin Abdul Muttalib (RA) was the uncle and foster brother of the Prophet (ﷺ), a brave lion of Islam. He was martyred at Uhud, struck by Wahshi. He is called «سَيِّدُ الشُّهَدَاء» (the chief of the martyrs) because of his high rank. The Prophet (ﷺ) grieved deeply for him.

Hamra al-Asad

The next day, although wounded, the believers who had been at Uhud answered the call of Allah and the Messenger and went out after the enemy as far as Hamra al-Asad. When they were told that people had gathered against them, it only increased their faith and they said, «حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ» (3:172 to 173).

Lessons of Uhud

• Obey the leader and the command of the Messenger (ﷺ) at all times.
• Do not let the love of worldly gain defeat a higher aim.
• Do not lose heart or grieve: you will be superior if you are believers (3:139).
• Hardship tests believers and separates the sincere from the hypocrites (3:140, 3:166 to 167, 3:179).
• Martyrs are alive with their Lord and receive provision (3:169).
• Muhammad (ﷺ) is only a messenger; the faith must not depend on his person (3:144).

The glad tidings of his birth (3:45 to 47)

The angels gave Hazrat Maryam (AS) the good news of a word from Allah whose name is the Messiah, Isa son of Maryam, honoured in this world and the Hereafter and among those near to Allah (3:45). He would speak to people in the cradle and as a grown man, and be among the righteous (3:46). Maryam asked, how can I have a son when no man has touched me? The answer was: so Allah creates what He wills; when He decrees a thing, He only says «كُنْ» and it is (3:47).

His miracles (3:48 to 49)

Allah taught him the Book, wisdom, the Torah and the Injil. As a messenger to the Children of Israel he showed signs, always by the permission of Allah:

• He made a bird of clay, breathed into it, and it became a living bird.
• He healed the person born blind and the leper.
• He gave life to the dead.
• He told people what they ate and what they stored in their houses.

His disciples and the plot (3:52 to 54)

When he found disbelief among the Children of Israel, he asked, who will be my helpers towards Allah? The disciples (the «حَوَارِيُّون») said, we are the helpers of Allah (3:52). The enemies made a secret plan against him, and Allah made His plan, and Allah is the best of planners (3:54).

The raising (3:55)

Allah said, O Isa, I will take you and raise you to Myself, purify you from those who disbelieve, and place your followers above the disbelievers until the Day of Resurrection (3:55). The Quran also says that they did not kill him nor crucify him, but it was made to appear so to them, and Allah raised him to Himself (4:157 to 158). The belief of the Muslims is that he was raised alive, and that before the Day of Resurrection he will descend as a just ruler (Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim).

The likeness to Adam (3:59)

The likeness of Isa in the sight of Allah is that of Adam: He created him from dust, then said to him «كُنْ» and he was. His birth without a father is a sign of Allah's power, not a proof that he is divine.

The vow of the wife of Imran (3:35 to 36)

The wife of Imran vowed the child in her womb to Allah, free of all worldly work and dedicated to His service. When a daughter was born she said, my Lord, I have given birth to a girl, and the male is not like the female; I have named her Maryam, and I seek Your protection for her and her offspring from the accursed Satan.

Maryam's upbringing and Hazrat Zakariya (AS) (3:37)

Allah accepted her with a good acceptance and made her grow well. Hazrat Zakariya (AS) became her guardian (3:44 says they cast lots with their pens to decide who would be her guardian). Whenever he entered her prayer chamber he found provision with her, out of season. When he asked where it came from, she said, it is from Allah, for Allah gives provision to whom He wills without account.

The dua of Hazrat Zakariya (AS) (3:38 to 41)

• Seeing this, he asked Allah for a pure child (3:38).
• While he stood praying, the angels gave him the news of Yahya (AS), who would confirm a word from Allah, be noble, chaste and a prophet among the righteous (3:39).
• He said, how can I have a son when I am old and my wife is barren? The reply: Allah does what He wills (3:40).
• The sign he asked for: for three days he would not speak to people except by gesture, and he should remember his Lord much (3:41).

The excellence of Hazrat Maryam (AS) (3:42 to 43)

The angels said that Allah had chosen her, purified her and chosen her above the women of the worlds (of her time, according to many scholars) (3:42). She was ordered to be devoutly obedient to her Lord, to prostrate, and to bow with those who bow (3:43).

Ruku 1 (ayat 1 to 9): Tawhid, muhkam and mutashabih ayat, and the dua for steadfastness

The ruku speaks of the oneness of Allah and His attributes of life and self-subsistence, «الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّوْمُ» (3:2). The Quran is the truth that confirms the earlier books. Its ayat are of two kinds, muhkam (clear) and mutashabih (allegorical); those with crookedness in their hearts follow the mutashabih to cause trouble, while those firmly grounded in knowledge say, we believe in it, all is from our Lord. The believers end with the dua that Allah should not let their hearts deviate after guidance, and should save them from disgrace on the Day of Resurrection.

Muhkam

Ayat with a clear, definite meaning; they are the foundation of the Book (3:7).

Mutashabih

Ayat whose full reality is known to Allah, or which carry more than one possible meaning; one believes in them without disputing.

Zaygh

Crookedness of heart, a leaning away from the truth.

Ruku 2 (ayat 10 to 20): The end of the disbelievers, the sign of Badr and the rewards of the pious

The wealth and children of the disbelievers will not help them against Allah, and they will be fuel for the Fire; the example of Pharaoh and earlier nations is given. The battle of Badr is called a sign for people of vision (3:13). The attraction of worldly things is beautified for people, but with Allah is the best return, Paradise and His pleasure, for the pious (3:14 to 15). The qualities of the pious are patience, truthfulness, obedience, spending and seeking forgiveness before dawn (3:17). The ruku ends with the testimony of Allah, the angels and men of knowledge that there is no god but Allah, and with the declaration that the religion with Allah is Islam (3:19).

This topic is explained in full in the section «The battle of Badr in this surah».

• Things whose love is made attractive: women, sons, heaped-up gold and silver, branded horses, cattle and tilled land.
• These are only the enjoyment of worldly life; the best return is with Allah.

Ruku 3 (ayat 21 to 30): The stubbornness of the People of the Book, power is in Allah's hand, and friendship with disbelievers forbidden

A painful punishment is announced for those who deny the ayat of Allah and kill prophets unjustly. When the People of the Book are called to the Book of Allah, they turn away. Dominion, honour and disgrace are in the hand of Allah: He gives rule to whom He wills and takes it from whom He wills (3:26). The believers are forbidden to take disbelievers as close friends in place of the believers (3:28), and on the Day of Resurrection every soul will find what it did.

Ruku 4 (ayat 31 to 41): Following the Prophet (ﷺ), the family of Imran and the upbringing of Maryam

The condition for the love of Allah is following the Messenger (ﷺ): say, if you love Allah, follow me, and Allah will love you and forgive your sins (3:31). Allah chose Adam, Nuh, the family of Ibrahim and the family of Imran above all the worlds (3:33). The wife of Imran vowed her child to Allah and, a girl being born, named her Maryam. Hazrat Zakariya (AS) became her guardian, and seeing the out-of-season provision with her he prayed for a child.

• The way to the love of Allah: following the Messenger (ﷺ).
• The fruits of following: Allah's love, forgiveness of sins, and His mercy («غَفُوْرٌ رَحِيْمٌ»).

This topic is explained in full in the section «Hazrat Maryam and Hazrat Zakariya (AS)».

Ruku 5 (ayat 42 to 54): The choice of Maryam, the glad tidings of Isa and his miracles

The angels said that Allah had chosen and purified Maryam. Then came the glad tidings of Hazrat Isa (AS): he would be born without a father, speak in the cradle and in maturity, and show miracles such as giving life to a clay bird, healing the born blind and the leper, and raising the dead, by Allah's permission. The Children of Israel opposed him and the disciples supported him. The Jews made a secret plan, and Allah made the best plan.

This topic is explained in full in the section «Hazrat Isa (AS): birth, miracles and raising».

Ruku 6 (ayat 55 to 63): The raising of Hazrat Isa (AS) and the invitation to Mubahila

Allah told Hazrat Isa (AS) that He would take him and raise him to Himself, purify him from the disbelievers and keep his followers above the disbelievers until the Day of Resurrection. The disbelievers will have severe punishment in this world and the Hereafter. The likeness of Isa with Allah is that of Adam (3:59). The delegation of Najran was invited to the Mubahila (3:61), and they drew back.

This topic is explained in full in the section «The Najran delegation and the Mubahila (3:61)».

Ruku 7 (ayat 64 to 71): The common word and the religion of Ibrahim (AS)

The People of the Book are invited to a word common between us: that we worship none but Allah, associate nothing with Him, and take none of us as lords besides Allah (3:64). Jews and Christians quarrelled over Hazrat Ibrahim (AS), but the Torah and the Injil were revealed after him. He was neither a Jew nor a Christian but upright and a Muslim, and not of the polytheists (3:67). The People of the Book mix truth with falsehood.

Ruku 8 (ayat 72 to 80): Plots of the People of the Book, trust and the office of prophethood

The People of the Book planned to believe at the start of the day and disbelieve at its end to mislead the Muslims. Some of them would not return even a small trust, and the false oaths of those who sell Allah's covenant for a small price are condemned. It is not for a prophet to call people to worship him; he calls them to be devoted servants of Allah. It is also forbidden to take angels and prophets as lords.

Ruku 9 (ayat 81 to 91): The covenant with the prophets, the penalty of apostasy and the door of repentance

Allah took a covenant from the prophets that if a messenger comes confirming what they have, they must believe in him and help him (3:81). Whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted from him, and in the Hereafter he will be among the losers (3:85). Those who disbelieve after believing are cursed, except those who repent and mend their ways, for Allah is Forgiving. Even the earth full of gold will not be accepted as ransom from one who dies a disbeliever (3:91).

Ruku 10 (ayat 92 to 101): Spending what one loves, the excellence of the House of Allah and the pull of the People of the Book

You will never attain righteousness until you spend from what you love (3:92). Before the Torah was revealed, all food was lawful to the Children of Israel except what Yaqub (AS) had forbidden to himself (3:93). The first House set up for people to worship is the one at Bakkah (Makkah), blessed and a guidance for the worlds (3:96). It has clear signs, such as the standing place of Ibrahim (AS); whoever enters it is safe; and Hajj of the House is a duty owed to Allah by those who are able (3:97). The believers are warned against obeying the People of the Book who would turn them back to disbelief.

• The Kaaba is the first house of worship for mankind (3:96).
• Hajj is obligatory on the one who is able to make the journey (3:97). Whoever denies it, Allah is free from need of all the worlds.

Ruku 11 (ayat 102 to 109): Piety, unity, enjoining good and avoiding division

The believers are told to fear Allah as He should be feared and not to die except as Muslims (3:102). They must hold fast, all together, to the rope of Allah and not be divided, and remember Allah's favour: they were enemies and He joined their hearts so that they became brothers, and they stood on the edge of a pit of fire and He saved them (3:103). From the Ummah there must be a group calling to good, enjoining the right and forbidding the wrong, and they are the successful (3:104). Do not be like those who divided and differed after clear proofs came; for them is a great punishment (3:105).

«حَبْلُ اللهِ» (the rope of Allah)

The Quran and the religion of Allah, which unites the Muslims (explained in the tafsir of this ayah). Holding fast to it is «اعتصام بحبل اللہ».

Ruku 12 (ayat 110 to 120): The best Ummah, the condition of the People of the Book and avoiding false friendship

You are the best nation brought forth for mankind: you enjoin what is right, forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah (3:110). Few of the People of the Book believed; most are disobedient. Enemies can do the Muslims no more than slight harm. Some of the People of the Book stand in prayer at night and prostrate. The believers must not take outsiders as intimates, for they do not spare any effort to harm them, and the wealth and children of the disbelievers will not help them against Allah.

• Three reasons the Ummah is the best: it enjoins good, forbids evil and believes in Allah.

Learn: «الْأَمْرُ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ» is enjoining good and «النَّهْيُ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ» is forbidding evil. See also 3:104.

Ruku 13 (ayat 121 to 129): The beginning of Uhud, help of angels at Badr and trust in Allah

The ruku begins the account of Uhud: the Prophet (ﷺ) set the believers in their positions for battle in the early morning. Two groups among them nearly lost heart, but Allah was their protector. It recalls Allah's help at Badr when the Muslims were weak, and the promise of 3,000 and 5,000 angels, conditional on patience and piety. Victory is only from Allah. The Prophet (ﷺ) has no authority in the matter: guidance and punishment are in the hand of Allah.

This topic is explained in full in the section «The battle of Badr in this surah».

This topic is explained in full in the section «The battle of Uhud».

Ruku 14 (ayat 130 to 143): The prohibition of usury, piety, hastening to forgiveness and the lessons of Uhud

The believers are forbidden to devour usury, doubled and multiplied, and are commanded to fear the Fire and to obey Allah and the Messenger (ﷺ) (3:130 to 132). They are told to hasten to forgiveness and to a Paradise as wide as the heavens and the earth, prepared for the pious (3:133). The qualities of the pious are spending in ease and hardship, restraining anger, pardoning people and seeking forgiveness after a sin (3:134 to 135). The believers are urged to learn from history and not to lose heart or grieve, for hardships come to test and strengthen faith (3:137 to 143).

Ruku 15 (ayat 144 to 148): Steadfastness if the Prophet (ﷺ) were to pass away

Muhammad (ﷺ) is only a messenger, and messengers have passed away before him. If he dies or is killed, will you turn back on your heels (3:144)? No soul dies except by Allah's permission, at a time decreed (3:145). Many prophets fought along with large numbers of devoted men who did not weaken (3:146). Their supplication was: our Lord, forgive our sins, make our feet firm and help us against the disbelievers (3:147). Allah gave them the reward of this world and the excellent reward of the Hereafter.

Ruku 16 (ayat 149 to 155): Not obeying the disbelievers and the causes of the setback at Uhud

The believers are forbidden to obey the disbelievers, who would turn them back on their heels; Allah alone is their best helper, and He will cast terror into the hearts of the disbelievers (3:149 to 151). After the victory at the start of Uhud, the Muslims lost courage, differed and disobeyed, and the setback came as a test; yet Allah forgave them (3:152). They fled and did not look back while the Messenger (ﷺ) called them from behind (3:153). Their slip was caused by Satan because of some of what they had earned, and Allah pardoned them (3:155).

This topic is explained in full in the section «The battle of Uhud».

Ruku 17 (ayat 156 to 171): Life of the martyrs, gentleness and consultation, and the office of the Prophet (ﷺ)

Like the hypocrites, the believers must not say of those who were killed, had they stayed with us they would not have died: life and death are in Allah's hand. Being killed or dying in the way of Allah brings forgiveness and mercy better than what people collect (3:156 to 158). It is the mercy of Allah that the Prophet (ﷺ) was gentle with them; he is told to pardon them, ask forgiveness for them, consult them, and when he has decided, to put trust in Allah (3:159). It is not for a prophet to betray a trust (3:161). Allah favoured the believers by sending a messenger who recites His ayat, purifies them and teaches them the Book and wisdom (3:164). Do not think of those killed in the way of Allah as dead; they are alive with their Lord, receiving provision (3:169).

«مَشُورَة» (consultation)

The Prophet (ﷺ) was commanded to consult the Companions in matters of common concern (3:159); the Muslims' affairs run by consultation (42:38).

Ruku 18 (ayat 172 to 180): Hamra al-Asad, the fear spread by Satan and the end of miserliness

Those who obeyed Allah and the Messenger (ﷺ) after being wounded have a great reward (3:172). When they were told that the enemy had gathered a big army against them, their faith only increased and they said, Allah is sufficient for us and He is the best disposer of affairs (3:173). Satan only frightens his friends, so fear Allah alone (3:175). Do not be grieved by those who hasten to disbelief. Those who are miserly with the wealth Allah gave them will have it hung around their necks like a collar on the Day of Resurrection (3:180).

This topic is explained in full in the section «The battle of Uhud».

Ruku 19 (ayat 181 to 189): The objections of the Jews, trials and the condemnation of hiding knowledge

Allah has heard the saying of those who said, Allah is poor and we are rich. Their words and their killing of prophets without right will be written down. Every soul will taste death, and only on the Day of Resurrection will you receive your full reward; whoever is kept away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has succeeded, and the life of this world is only the enjoyment of delusion (3:185). The believers will be tested in their wealth and lives and will hear much hurt from the People of the Book, and they are told to be patient and pious. Allah took a covenant from the People of the Book to make the Book clear and not hide it, but they threw it behind their backs and sold it for a small price.

Ruku 20 (ayat 190 to 200): Reflection on the heavens and earth, the dua of the people of understanding, patience and steadfastness

In the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of night and day are signs for people of understanding, who remember Allah standing, sitting and lying on their sides, and reflect on the creation (3:190 to 191). Their dua is: our Lord, You did not create this in vain; protect us from the punishment of the Fire; forgive our sins and let us die with the righteous (3:191 to 194). Allah accepted their prayer, and rewarded those who emigrated, were driven from their homes and fought in His way (3:195). The ease of the disbelievers in the cities should not deceive anyone (3:196). The surah ends with the command: O you who believe, be patient, outdo others in patience, stay stationed at the frontier, and fear Allah so that you may succeed (3:200).

The virtue of the last ayat at night prayer is given in the section on virtues.