Verses 156 to 158 of Surah Al-Imran in the Holy Quran, like a shining light, unveil the reality of life and death, guiding the believers with eloquence towards profound knowledge and steadfast faith. These verses, revealed in the historical context of the Battle of Uhud, not only critique the beliefs of disbelievers and hypocrites but also elucidate the divine sovereignty over existence, opening a path to tranquility and reassurance for the faithful. This treatise endeavours, through reflection upon these verses and the discourses of religious scholars, to present the exalted Quranic concepts in a coherent and rational framework, employing precise analyses and semantic connections to lay forth the truth of these verses as a radiant gem before the readers.
Verses 156 to 158 of Surah Al-Imran were revealed against the backdrop of the Battle of Uhud (the third year of Hijra), a pivotal event in early Islamic history. These verses address the behaviour and speech of disbelievers, hypocrites, and those with weak faith in the face of the death and killing of believers. The Battle of Uhud, with its vicissitudes, was a stage where faith and hypocrisy, courage and weakness, truth and falsehood confronted one another. In this setting, the Holy Quran, through the revelation of these verses, criticised the disbelievers' claims that death and killing were due to distance from them, thus inciting futile regret in their hearts.
From a historical standpoint, the Battle of Uhud resulted in an apparent defeat for the believers due to the disobedience of some warriors and their abandonment of position. This defeat provided grounds for the hypocrites doubts, who asked: Do we have any share in this matter? (Hal lana min al-amr min shay). The Quran replied unequivocally: Say: The entire matter belongs to God (Qul inna al-amra kullahu lillah). This response not only nullified the hypocrites doubts but also expounded divine sovereignty over all matters of existence.
The discussed verses contrast two types of discourse: that of the disbelievers and hypocrites, which is based on appearances and carnal desires, and the divine discourse, which is founded upon truth and reality. The disbelievers uttered, If they had been with us, they would neither have died nor been killed, attributing death and killing to separation from themselves. This speech, like a shadow of ignorance, trapped their hearts in regret and insecurity. However, the divine discourse, akin to a radiant sun, unveils the truth that life and death are in Gods hands and none can escape His will.
O you who have believed, do not be like those who disbelieved and said about their brothers when they travelled through the land or went out to fight, If they had been with us, they would not have died or have been killed, so that God might make it a regret in their hearts. And God gives life and causes death, and God is Seeing of what you do. (Quran 3:156)
This verse serves as a heavenly summons warning believers against resembling the disbelievers. The disbelievers, with weak and false speech, attributed the death and killing of their kin to their absence. The term ikhwnihim (their brothers) here encompasses kin and fellow community members, including both men and women, believers and hypocrites, reflecting the social inclusivity of the address. The phrase idha darabu fi al-ard refers to various journeysbe it pilgrimage, trade, or leisurewhile aw kn ghuz indicates warriors who separated from their families for jihad.
The disbelievers claim, If they had been with us, they would neither have died nor been killed, wrongly assumed that death and killing were consequences of separation from themselves. This reasoning, like a deceptive mirage, is not only invalid but also instils futile regret in their hearts. God Almighty placed this regret as a result of their erroneous beliefs to manifest their weak faith and ignorance. The phrase And God gives life and causes death is a golden key revealing that life and death are solely in Gods hands, and no place or circumstance can exempt a human being from divine will.
And if you are killed in the way of God or die, forgiveness from God and mercy are better than whatever they accumulate. (Quran 3:157)
This verse, like a divine glad tidings, promises the believers an exalted reward. Gods forgiveness and mercy are incomparable treasures, superior to all worldly possessions upon which disbelievers and hypocrites place their hopes. By emphasising the hereafters value, the verse deters believers from attachment to materiality and guides them toward spiritual serenity. The order of mentioning killing before death underlines the significance of martyrdom in Gods cause but also embraces natural death, indicating that both fall under divine mercy.
And if you die or are killed, then to God you will be gathered. (Quran 3:158)
This verse, like a clear mirror, reflects the truth of return to God. Whether by natural death or martyrdom, the ultimate destination for all is resurrection before the Divine Presence. The reversed order of death before killing, compared with the previous verse, emphasises the comprehensiveness of this truth that all forms of death culminate in reunion with God. This statement, like a balm for believers hearts, removes the fear of death and brings profound tranquillity.
