“Many similar ways (and mishaps of life) were faced by nations that have passed away before you, so travel through the earth, and see what was the end of those who disbelieved.
This is a plain statement for mankind, a guidance, and instruction to those who are Muttaqeen.
So do not become weak (against your enemy), nor be sad, while you are the superior (ones), if you are indeed Mu’mineen.
If a wound (and killing) has touched you, be sure a similar wound (and killing) has touched the others. And so are the days (good and not so good), We give to men by turns, that Allaah may test those who believe, and that He may take martyrs from among you. And Allaah likes not the Thaalimeen (wrongdoers). And that Allaah may test (or purify) the Mu’mineen and destroy the infidels.
Do you think that you will enter Paradise before Allaah knows those of you who waged Jihaad (in His Path) and (also) tests those who are the patient ones?” AAl ‘Imraan: 137-142
Shaykh ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Naasir As-Sa’dee رحمه الله said:
“These noble verses, along with the ones after them, are concerning the event of Uhud. Allaah consoles and comforts to His believing slaves, and notifies them that before them there were generations and nations who were tested with sufferings, and the Mu’minūn were put to trial by them through fighting against the infidels; so they never ceased to fight each other and alternately winning against each other – until Allaah made the final outcome to be in favor of the Muttaqeen, and victory for His believing slaves; and in the end, the time came for the disbelievers to be punished, so Allaah humiliated them by giving victory to His Messengers and their followers.
“… so travel through the earth…”: Using your bodies and your hearts…
“…and see what was the end of those who disbelieved…”: Because indeed, you will not find them in any state, except in the state of being tormented with various types of worldly punishments. Their countries have been made into wastelands, and their loss has been made apparent to everyone; and their honor and power have left them; and their haughtiness and boasts have ceased. Does this not contain the greatest evidence, and the biggest proof for the truthfulness of what the Messengers brought?
And the Wisdom of Allaah for which He puts His slaves in hardships – is to test them, and to make the truthful one clearly apparent and manifestly separate from the liar.
“…This is a plain statement for mankind…”: Meaning, a clear and open proof, by which mankind will clearly know the Truth from Falsehood – and clearly know the People of Happiness from the People of Misery – and that is an indication to what Allaah made happen upon the disbelievers.
“… a guidance, and instruction to those who are Muttaqeen…”: Because they are the ones who will actually be able to benefit from the verses, and it will guide them to the Path of Righteousness, and instruct them, and repel them from the Path of Evil.
And as for the rest of mankind, then it is a plain statement for them, by which Allaah establishes the Hujjah (evidence) upon them, so that those who were to be destroyed (for their rejecting Imaan) might be destroyed after a clear evidence.
And it is possible that His Statement, “This is a plain statement for mankind…” refers to the Noble Qur’aan, the Wise Remembrance – and that it is a plain statement for mankind in general, and a guidance and instruction, specifically for the Muttaqeen. And both meanings are correct.
“…So do not become weak (against your enemy), nor be sad, while you are the superior (ones), if you are indeed Mu’mineen…”: Allaah (Most High) is encouraging His believing slaves, inciting their determination, and lifting their concerns.
“So do not become weak (against your enemy), nor be sad…” Meaning – When you are struck with an adversity - do not let your bodies become weak and feeble, nor let your hearts become sad – (yes) you have suffered from these hardships; and indeed, sadness in the heart, and weakness in the body, is an extra adversity upon you, and it is something which will be used by your enemies as an advantage over you. Nay, fill your hearts with courage, and endure patiently, and guard your hearts from grief, and be dedicated firmly in waging the fight against your enemy.
And Allaah mentioned that it is not appropriate for them to have this weakness and grief, when they are the ones who are superior, because of their Imaan in Allaah, and Hope of the Victory of Allaah and His Rewards. So the Mu’min who seeks the rewards which Allaah has promised him in this world and in the Hereafter –it is not befitting for him to be weak and sad. And this is why Allaah (Most Exalted) said, “… while you are the superior (ones), if you are indeed Mu’mineen.”
“If a wound (and killing) has touched you, be sure a similar wound (and killing) has touched the others. And so are the days (good and not so good), We give to men by turns, that Allaah may test those who believe, and that He may take martyrs from among you. And Allaah likes not the Thaalimeen (wrongdoers).”
Then Allaah consoles them regarding the defeat which they suffered; and He explained the great Divine Wisdoms which was brought out from that. So He said, “If a wound (and killing) has touched you, be sure a similar wound (and killing) has touched the others.” So you and them are equal in what has afflicted you of wounds. But, you are a people who have a hope in Allaah for that which they do not have hope. As Allaah said in a different verse:
“… If you are suffering (hardships) then surely, they (too) are suffering (hardships) as you are suffering, but you have a hope from Allaah (for the reward, of Paradise) that for which they hope not.” An-Nisaa’: 104
And also from the Divine Wisdoms, is that Allaah gives from this world to both, the Mu’min and the kaafir, the righteous and the corrupt – thus Allaah exchanges the days of victory between mankind, a day for this group, and a day for another group. And this is because this worldly abode will be nullified, and it will perish. As opposed to the Abode of the Afterlife – for verily, that is only specifically reserved for those who have Imaan.
“… that Allaah may test those who believe…” : And this is also from amongst the Divine Wisdoms; that Allaah puts His slaves through hardships, by way of defeat and sufferings: So that the true Mu’min becomes manifestly distinct from the hypocrite. And this is because, if the Mu’minūn were always victorious, at all events and times – then verily, those who are not Muslim would enter into Islaam (for the sake of being victorious materially). So if there comes during some events, some types of tests, the true Mu’min becomes manifest and apparent – the one who loves Islaam in times of adversity and prosperity, in times of ease and hardship – for him to become distinct from those who are not like him.
“… and that He may take martyrs from among you…”: And verily, this is a part of the Divine Wisdoms. And this is because Shahaadah (martyrdom) is one of the highest statuses in the Sight of Allaah – and there is no way to reach that status, except going through that which causes it. And this is from the Mercy of Allaah which He bestows upon His slaves; that He made such paths which the souls hate, to attain that which they love, of the Lofty Degrees, and Eternal Bliss.
“… And Allaah likes not the Thaalimeen (wrongdoers)…”: Those who wrong and oppress themselves, and they sit behind abandoning the Qitaal (fighting) in the Path of Allaah. (As Allaah has said)
“And if they had intended to march out, certainly, they would have made some preparation for it, but Allaah was averse to their being sent forth, so He made them lag behind, and it was said (to them): Sit you among those who sit (at home).” At-Tawbah: 46
“…And that Allaah may test (or purify) the Mu’mineen and destroy the infidels.”
“…And that Allaah may test (or purify) the Mu’mineen…”: Another part of the Divine Wisdoms – That Allaah, by way of hardships, purifies the Mu’mineen from their sins and shortcomings. And this proves that Shahaadah and fighting in the Path of Allaah wipes out sins, and removes shortcomings. And Allaah also purifies the Mu’mineen from other than them, from amongst the hypocrites (who mixed in with the Believers) – and thus, they become unpolluted from them – and the Mu’min becomes known, and the hypocrite becomes known.
And also from amongst the Divine Wisdoms, is that Allaah has decreed these (hardships upon the Mu’mineen), in order to destroy the kuffaar. Meaning, so that it can become a reason for their destruction, and for them to be exterminated by a punishment. Because indeed, when they are made victorious, they commit evils, and they increase in their transgressions to even worse transgressions – thus, earning a hasty torment upon themselves – as a mercy for the believing slaves of Allaah.” [End of the words of Shaykh ‘Abdur-Rahmaan As-Sa’dee, from Tayseer Al-Kareem]
In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy. By the time! Verily mankind is at loss – except for those who believe and perform righteous deeds, and advise one another towards the truth and advise one another towards patience.’
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