3:164-165
3:164
Allah did confer a great favour on the believers when He sent among them a messenger from among themselves, rehearsing unto them the Signs of Allah, sanctifying them, and instructing them in Scripture and Wisdom, while, before that, they had been in manifest error
3:165
What! When a single disaster smites you, although ye smote (your enemies) with one twice as great, do ye say? – “Whence is this?” Say (to them): “It is from yourselves: For Allah hath power over all things.”
Some individuals held the mistaken belief that prophets and their followers would be shielded from hardship and would always experience victory through divine intervention. According to this assumption, angels would continually assist the Messenger of Allah in every undertaking, ensuring success without difficulty. When the Muslims experienced a setback at the Battle of Uḥud, those who held such expectations found their faith shaken. Opponents and hypocritical elements exploited this psychological vulnerability by portraying the defeat as evidence against the truth of Islam and the prophetic mission of Muhammad (peace be upon him).
The Qur’an addresses this misunderstanding by presenting trials as part of the divine wisdom governing the lives of believers. First, it reminds the community that setbacks were not unique to them, nor were they evidence of abandonment. Their opponents had previously suffered significant losses at the Battle of Badr, where many leaders were killed and others taken captive. Even during the early stages of Uḥud, the Muslims initially held the advantage and inflicted casualties upon their enemies. The subsequent reversal, therefore, did not negate divine support but reflected a broader pattern of alternating outcomes within the framework of God’s wisdom.
Second, the Qur’an emphasizes that the believers themselves bore responsibility for the setback due to internal disagreement and disobedience. Verse 3:152 explains that God had fulfilled His promise of assistance until some members of the community faltered, disputed the Prophet’s command, and prioritized worldly gain over spiritual objectives. The verse frames this experience as a test intended to distinguish intentions within the community, while also affirming divine forgiveness and mercy toward those who remained sincere. Through this explanation, the Qur’an reframes the events of Uḥud as a lesson in discipline, faith, and reliance on God rather than as a sign of failure or abandonment.
References:
Islahi, Amin Ahsan. Pondering Over The Qur’an: Surah Ali Imran (pp. 298-299). Islamic Book Trust. Kindle Edition.