3:143
Ye did indeed wish for death before ye met him: Now ye have seen him with your own eyes,(And ye flinch!)
In the Battle of Uhad the opinion of some of the Companions of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) was that they should meet the enemy outside Madinah in the open field: they said, “We had longed for this day, let us go out to fight our enemies, lest they think we are cowards”. The “desire for fighting the enemy and being slain in the cause of truth” is called a “desire for death.” (Commentary and Reflections on the Quran, pg. 445)
Asad explains, drawing on the interpretation of al-Zamakhsharī, that the verse contains a twofold reproach directed toward many of the Companions who participated in the Battle of Uḥud. First, they insisted on confronting the enemy in open combat despite the Prophet’s initial counsel to remain within the city, thereby exposing themselves to unnecessary danger. Second, during the early phase of the battle, some failed to uphold the steadfastness expected of them in light of their professed faith. At the same time, the passage may also carry a constructive message: it encourages believers to reflect on the lessons derived from their near defeat and reminds them that their future success depends on the strength and sincerity of their faith in God, rather than on momentary enthusiasm for self-sacrifice (Asad, 1980).
References:
Asad, Muhammad (1980). The Message of the Quran.
NOORUDDÎN ,ALLÂMAH. (2015). Exegesis of The Holy Qur’ân Commentary and Reflections.