Tafsir

Virtues of the Martyrs

Allah states that even though the martyrs were killed in this life, their souls are alive and receiving provisions in the Dwelling of Everlasting Life. In his Sahih, Muslim recorded that Masruq said, "We asked `Abdullah about this Ayah,وَلاَ تَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ قُتِلُواْ فِى سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أَمْوَتاً بَلْ أَحْيَاءٌ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ يُرْزَقُونَ(Think not of those as dead who are killed in the way of Allah. Nay, they are alive, with their Lord, and they have provision.)He said, `We asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ the same question and he said,«أَرْوَاحُهُمْ فِي جَوْفِ طَيْرٍ خُضْرٍ، لَهَا قَنَادِيلُ مُعَلَّقَةٌ بِالْعَرْشِ، تَسْرَحُ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ حَيْثُ شَاءَتْ، ثُمَّ تَأْوِي إِلَى تِلْكَ الْقَنَادِيلِ، فَاطَّلَعَ إِلَيْهِمْ رَبُّهُمُ اطِّلَاعَةً فَقَالَ: هَلْ تَشْتَهُونَ شَيْئًا؟ فَقَالُوا: أَيَّ شَيْءٍ نَشْتَهِي وَنَحْنُ نَسْرَحُ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ حَيْثُ شِئْنَا؟

فَفَعَلَ ذَلِكَ بِهِمْ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ، فَلَمَّا رَأَوْا أَنَّهُمْ لَنْ يُتْرَكُوا مِنْ أَنْ يُسْأَلُوا، قَالُوا: يَا رَبِّ نُرِيدُ أَنْ تَرُدَّ أَرْوَاحَنَا فِي أَجْسَادِنَا حَتَّى نُقْتَلَ فِي سَبِيلِكَ مَرَّةً أُخْرَى، فَلَمَّا رَأَى أَنْ لَيْسَ لَهُمْ حَاجَةٌ، تُرِكُوا»(Their souls are inside green birds that have lamps, which are hanging below the Throne (of Allah), and they wander about in Paradise wherever they wish. Then they return to those lamps. Allah looks at them and says, `Do you wish for anything' They say, `What more could we wish for, while we go wherever we wish in Paradise' Allah asked them this question thrice, and when they realize that He will keep asking them until they give an answer, they say, `O Lord! We wish that our souls be returned to our bodies so that we are killed in Your cause again.' Allah knew that they did not have any other wish, so they were left.)"' There are several other similar narrations from Anas and Abu Sa`id.

Imam Ahmad recorded that Anas said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,«مَا مِنْ نَفْسٍ تَمُوتُ، لَهَا عِنْدَ اللهِ خَيْرٌ، يَسُرُّهَا أَنْ تَرْجِعَ إِلَى الدُّنْيَا، إِلَّا الشَّهِيدُ، فَإِنَّهُ يَسُرُّهُ أَنْ يَرْجِعَ إِلَى الدُّنْيَا فَيُقْتَلَ مَرَّةً أُخْرَى، لِمَا يَرَى مِنْ فَضْلِ الشَهَادَة»(No soul that has a good standing with Allah and dies would wish to go back to the life of this world, except for the martyr. He would like to be returned to this life so that he could be martyred again, for he tastes the honor achieved from martyrdom.) Muslim collected this Hadith

In addition, Imam Ahmad recorded that, Ibn `Abbas said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,«لَمَّا أُصِيبَ إِخْوَانُكُمْ بِأُحُدٍ، جَعَلَ اللهُ أَرْوَاحَهُمْ فِي أَجْوَافِ طَيْرٍ خُضْرٍ، تَرِدُ أَنْهَارَ الْجَنَّـةِ، وَتَأْكُلُ مِنْ ثِمَارِهَا، وَتَأْوِي إِلى قَنَادِيلَ مِنْ ذَهَبٍ فِي ظِلِّ الْعَرْشِ، فَلَمَّا وَجَدُوا طِيبَ مَشْرَبِهِمْ وَمَأْكَلِهِمْ، وَحُسْنَ مُتَقَلَّبِهِمْ قَالُوا: يَا لَيْتَ إِخْوَانَنَا يَعْلَمُونَ مَا صَنَعَ اللهُ لَنَا، لِئَلَّا يَزْهَدُوا فِي الْجِهَادِ، وَلَا يَنْكُلُوا عَنِ الْحَرْبِ، فَقَالَ اللهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ: أَنْا أُبَلِّغُهُمْ عَنْكُم»(When your brothers were killed in Uhud, Allah placed their souls inside green birds that tend to the rivers of Paradise and eat from its fruits. They then return to golden lamps hanging in the shade of the Throne.

When they tasted the delight of their food, drink and dwelling, they said, `We wish that our brothers knew what Allah gave us so that they will not abandon Jihad or warfare.' Allah said, `I will convey the news for you.') Allah revealed these and the following Ayat,وَلاَ تَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ قُتِلُواْ فِى سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أَمْوَتاً بَلْ أَحْيَاءٌ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ يُرْزَقُونَ(Think not of those as dead who are killed in the way of Allah. Nay, they are alive, with their Lord, and they have provision.)Qatadah, Ar-Rabi` and Ad-Dahhak said that these Ayat were revealed about the martyrs of Uhud.

Abu Bakr Ibn Marduwyah recorded that Jabir bin `Abdullah said, "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ looked at me one day and said, `O Jabir! Why do I see you sad' I said, `O Messenger of Allah! My father was martyred and left behind debts and children.' He said,«أَلَا أُخْبِرُكَ؟ مَا كَلَّمَ اللهُ أَحَدًا قَطُّ إِلَّا مِنْ وَرَاءِ حِجَابٍ، وَإِنَّه كَلَّمَ أَبَاكَ كِفَاحًا»، قال علي: الكفاح: المواجهة«قَالَ: سَلْنِي أُعْطِكَ. قَالَ: أَسْأَلُكَ أَنْ أُرَدَّ إِلَى الدُّنْيَا فَأُقْتَلَ فِيكَ ثَانِيَةً، فَقَالَ الرَّبُّ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ: إِنَّهُ قَدْ سَبَقَ مِنِّي الْقَوْلُ: إِنَّهُمْ إِلَيْهَا لَا يَرْجِعُونَ. قَالَ: أَيْ رَبِّ فَأَبْلِغْ مَنْ وَرَائِي»(Should I tell you that Allah never spoke to anyone except from behind a veil However, He spoke to your father directly. He said, `Ask Me and I will give you.' He said, `I ask that I am returned to life so that I am killed in Your cause again.' The Lord, Exalted He be, said, `I have spoken the word that they shall not be returned back to it (this life). ' He said, `O Lord!

Then convey the news to those I left behind.') Allah revealed,وَلاَ تَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ قُتِلُواْ فِى سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أَمْوَتاً(Think not of those as dead who are killed in the way of Allah...)"Imam Ahmad recorded that Ibn `Abbas said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,«الشُّهَدَاءُ عَلى بَارِقِ نَهْرٍ بِبَابِ الْجَنَّـةِ، فِي قُبَّةٍ خَضْرَاءَ، يَخْرُجُ عَلَيْهِمْ رِزْقُهُمْ مِنَ الْجَنَّـةِ بُكْرَةً وَعَشِيًّا»(The martyrs convene at the shore of a river close to the door of Paradise, in a green tent, where their provisions are brought to them from Paradise day and night.)Ahmad and Ibn Jarir collected this Hadith, which has a good chain of narration. It appears that the martyrs are of different types, some of them wander in Paradise, and some remain close to this river by the door of Paradise. It is also possible that the river is where all the souls of the martyrs convene and where they are provided with their provision day and night, and Allah knows best.

UImam Ahmad narrated a Hadith that contains good news for every believer that his soul will be wandering in Paradise, as well, eating from its fruits, enjoying its delights and happiness and tasting the honor that Allah has prepared in it for him. This Hadith has a unique, authentic chain of narration that includes three of the Four Imams. Imam Ahmad narrated this Hadith from Muhammad bin Idris Ash-Shafi`i who narrated it from Malik bin Anas Al-Asbuhi, from Az-Zuhri, from `Abdur-Rahman bin Ka`b bin Malik that his father said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,«نَسَمَةُ الْمُؤْمِنِ طَائِرٌ يَعْلُقُ فِي شَجَرِ الْجَنَّـةِ حَتَّى يَرْجِعَهُ اللهُ إِلى جَسَدِهِ يَوْمَ يَبْعَثُه»(The soul of the believer becomes a bird that feeds on the trees of Paradise, until Allah sends him back to his body when He resurrects him.)This Hadith states that the souls of the believers are in the shape of a bird in Paradise. As for the souls of martyrs, they are inside green birds, like the stars to the rest of the believing souls. We ask Allah the Most Generous that He makes us firm on the faith.

Allah's statement,فَرِحِينَ بِمَآ ءَاتَـهُمُ اللَّهُ(They rejoice in what Allah has bestowed upon them) indicates that the martyrs who were killed in Allah's cause are alive with Allah, delighted because of the bounty and happiness they are enjoying. They are also awaiting their brethren, who will die in Allah's cause after them, for they will be meeting them soon. These martyrs do not have fear about the future or sorrow for what they left behind. We ask Allah to grant us Paradise. The Two Sahihs record from Anas, the story of the seventy Ansar Companions who were murdered at Bir Ma`unah in one night. In this Hadith, Anas reported that the Prophet used to supplicate to Allah in Qunut in prayer against those who killed them.

Anas said, "A part of the Qur'an was revealed about them, but was later abrogated, `Convey to our people that we met Allah and He was pleased with us and made us pleased."'Allah said next,يَسْتَبْشِرُونَ بِنِعْمَةٍ مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَفَضْلٍ وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يُضِيعُ أَجْرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ(They rejoice in a grace and a bounty from Allah, and that Allah will not waste the reward of the believers) 3:171.

Muhammad bin Ishaq commented, "They were delighted and pleased because of Allah's promise that was fulfilled for them, and for the tremendous rewards they earned." `Abdur-Rahman bin Zayd bin Aslam said, "This Ayah encompasses all the believers, martyrs and otherwise. Rarely does Allah mention a bounty and a reward that He granted to the Prophets, without following that with what He has granted the believers after them."The Battle of Hamra' Al-Asad

Allah said,الَّذِينَ اسْتَجَابُواْ لِلَّهِ وَالرَّسُولِ مِن بَعْدِ مَآ أَصَـبَهُمُ الْقَرْحُ(Those who answered (the Call of) Allah and the Messenger after being wounded) 3:172.

This occurred on the day of Hamra' Al-Asad. After the idolators defeated the Muslims (at Uhud), they started on their way back home, but soon they were concerned because they did not finish off the Muslims in Al-Madinah, so they set out to make that battle the final one. When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ got news of this, he commanded the Muslims to march to meet the disbelievers, to bring fear to their hearts and to demonstrate that the Muslims still had strength to fight. The Prophet only allowed those who were present during Uhud to accompany him, except for Jabir bin `Abdullah Al-Ansari, as we will mention. The Muslims mobilized, even though they were still suffering from their injuries, in obedience to Allah and His Messenger .

Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that `Ikrimah said, "When the idolators returned towards Makkah after Uhud, they said, `You neither killed Muhammad nor collected female captives. Woe to you for what you did. Let us go back.' When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ heard this news, he mobilized the Muslim forces, and they marched until they reached Hamra Al-Asad. The idolators said, `Rather, we will meet next year', and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ went back to Al-Madinah, and this was considered a Ghazwah (battle). Allah sent down,الَّذِينَ اسْتَجَابُواْ لِلَّهِ وَالرَّسُولِ مِن بَعْدِ مَآ أَصَـبَهُمُ الْقَرْحُ لِلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُواْ مِنْهُمْ وَاتَّقَوْاْ أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ(Those who answered (the Call of) Allah and the Messenger after being wounded; for those of them who did good deeds and feared Allah, there is a great reward.)Al-Bukhari recorded that `A'ishah said to `Urwah about the Ayah;الَّذِينَ اسْتَجَابُواْ لِلَّهِ وَالرَّسُولِ(Those who answered (the Call of) Allah and the Messenger)"My nephew! Your fathers Az-Zubayr and Abu Bakr were among them.

After the Prophet suffered the calamity at Uhud and the idolators went back, he feared that the idolators might try to come back and he said, `Who would follow them' Seventy men, including Az-Zubayr and Abu Bakr, volunteered." This was recorded by Al-Bukhari alone.

As for Allah's statement,الَّذِينَ قَالَ لَهُمُ النَّاسُ إِنَّ النَّاسَ قَدْ جَمَعُواْ لَكُمْ فَاخْشَوْهُمْ فَزَادَهُمْ إِيمَـناً(Those unto whom the people said, "Verily, the people have gathered against you, therefore, fear them." But it (only) increased them in faith) 3:173, it means, those who threatened the people, saying that the disbelievers have amassed against them, in order to instill fear in them, but this did not worry them, rather, they trusted in Allah and sought His help,وَقَالُواْ حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ(and they said: "Allah is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs.")Al-Bukhari recorded that Ibn `Abbas said,حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ("Allah Alone is Sufficient for us and He is the Best Disposer of affairs for us.")"Ibrahim said it when he was thrown in fire.

Muhammad said it when the people said, `Verily, the people have gathered against you, therefore, fear them.' But it only increased them in faith, and they said, `Allah is Sufficient for us and He is the Best Disposer of affairs for us."' Abu Bakr Ibn Marduwyah recorded that Anas bin Malik said that the Prophet was told on the day of Uhud, "Verily, the people have gathered against you, therefore, fear them." Thereafter, Allah sent down this Ayah 3:173.

This is why Allah said,فَانْقَلَبُواْ بِنِعْمَةٍ مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَفَضْلٍ لَّمْ يَمْسَسْهُمْ سُوءٌ(So they returned with grace and bounty from Allah. No harm touched them;) for when they relied on Allah, Allah took care of their worries, He confounded the plots of their enemies, and the Muslims returned to their land,بِنِعْمَةٍ مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَفَضْلٍ لَّمْ يَمْسَسْهُمْ سُوءٌ(with grace and bounty from Allah. No harm touched them;) safe from the wicked plots of their enemies,وَاتَّبَعُواْ رِضْوَنَ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ ذُو فَضْلٍ عَظِيمٍ(and they followed the pleasure of Allah. And Allah is the Owner of great bounty.)Al-Bayhaqi recorded that Ibn `Abbas said about Allah's statement,فَانْقَلَبُواْ بِنِعْمَةٍ مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَفَضْلٍ(So they returned with grace and bounty from Allah,) "The `Grace' was that they were saved. The `Bounty' was that a caravan passed by, and those days were Hajj season days.

Thus the Messenger of Allah ﷺ bought and sold and made a profit, which he divided between his Companions."Allah then said,إِنَّمَا ذَلِكُمُ الشَّيْطَـنُ يُخَوِّفُ أَوْلِيَاءَهُ(It is only Shaytan that suggests to you the fear of his friends,) 3:175 meaning, Shaytan threatens you with his friends and tries to pretend they are powerful and fearsome. Allah said next,فَلاَ تَخَافُوهُمْ وَخَافُونِ إِن كُنتُمْ مُّؤْمِنِينَ(so fear them not, but fear Me, if you are indeed believers.) meaning, "If Shaytan brings these thoughts to you, then depend on Me and seek refuge with Me. Indeed, I shall suffice you and make you prevail over them." Similarly, Allah said,أَلَيْسَ اللَّهُ بِكَافٍ عَبْدَهُ وَيُخَوِّفُونَكَ بِالَّذِينَ مِن دُونِهِ(Is not Allah Sufficient for His servant Yet they try to frighten you with those besides Him!) 39: 36, until,قُلْ حَسْبِىَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ يَتَوَكَّـلُ الْمُتَوَكِّلُونَ(Say: "Sufficient for me is Allah; in Him those who trust must put their trust.") 39:38.

Allah said,فَقَـتِلُواْ أَوْلِيَاءَ الشَّيْطَـنِ إِنَّ كَيْدَ الشَّيْطَـنِ كَانَ ضَعِيفاً(So fight you against the friends of Shaytan; ever feeble indeed is the plot of Shaytan.) 4:76 andأُوْلَـئِكَ حِزْبُ الشَّيْطَـنِ أَلاَ إِنَّ حِزْبَ الشَّيْطَـنِ هُمُ الخَـسِرُونَ(They are the party of Shaytan. Verily, it is the party of Shaytan that will be the losers!) 58:19,كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لاّغْلِبَنَّ أَنَاْ وَرُسُلِى إِنَّ اللَّهَ قَوِىٌّ عَزِيزٌ(Allah has decreed: "Verily, it is I and My Messengers who shall be the victorious." Verily, Allah is All-Powerful, All-Mighty.) 58:21 andوَلَيَنصُرَنَّ اللَّهُ مَن يَنصُرُهُ(Verily, Allah will help those who help His (cause).) 22:40 andيأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ إِن تَنصُرُواْ اللَّهَ يَنصُرْكُمْ(O you who believe!

If you help (in the cause of) Allah, He will help you) 47:7, and,إِنَّا لَنَنصُرُ رُسُلَنَا وَالَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ فِى الْحَيَوةِ الدُّنْيَا وَيَوْمَ يَقُومُ الاٌّشْهَـدُ - يَوْمَ لاَ يَنفَعُ الظَّـلِمِينَ مَعْذِرَتُهُمْ وَلَهُمُ الْلَّعْنَةُ وَلَهُمْ سُوءُ الدَّارِ(Verily, We will indeed make victorious Our Messengers and those who believe, in this world's life and on the Day when the witnesses will stand forth. The Day when their excuses will be of no profit to wrongdoers. Theirs will be the curse, and theirs will be the evil abode.) 40:51,52

Commentary:The subject of the previous verse was the battle of Uhud connected with which is the battle of Hamra' al-Asad which forms the subject of the present verse. Hamra' al-Asad is a place eight miles away from Madinah.

The background of this event, mentioned briefly under introductory remarks about verse 151, is that the disbelievers of Makkah left the battlefield of Uhud, reached a certain distance where they realized that they had made a mistake by retreating. Since they had almost won the battle, they should have gone for the final assault and finished off the Muslim forces. The thought so gripped them that they started getting ready to march back to Madinah. But, Allah Almighty cast such awe and fear in their hearts that they found it more convenient to march back home to Makkah. They still left a message with a passing group of travellers to Madinah asking them to give a warning to Muslims that they were coming back after them with all their awesome strength. The Holy Prophet ﷺ found this out through a revelation and he reached Hamra' al-Asad in hot pursuit (Ibn Jarir, cited by Ruh al-Ma'ani).

It appears in Tafsir al-Qurtubi that, on the second day of Uhud, the Holy Prophet ﷺ made an announcement before his mujahidin that they have to pursue the disbelievers but the attacking company will be composed of those who were active participants in yesterday's battle. Two hundred مجاھدین mujahidin rose following this announcement.

A report in Sahih al-Bukhari states that seventy people stood up following the announcement by the Holy Prophet ﷺ as to who was ready to go after the disbelievers. Among those were people who had been severely wounded in the battle a day earlier, some even had to be helped in walking. This blessed company marched to apprehend the disbelievers. When they reached Hamra' al-Asad, they met Nu'aym ibn Masud who told them that Abu Sufyan has assembled together a much larger force once again and he is all set to invade Madinah and eliminate its people. Injury-ridden and much weakened Companions ؓ heard this disturbing news yet it was in one voice that they said: We do not know him حَسْبُنَا اللَّـهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ (Allah is sufficient for us and He is the best caretaker.)On the one hand there was this news broken to Muslims so they get terrorized, but nothing of this sort happened to them. On the other hand, there was the instance of Ma'bad al-Khuza` i, a man from the tribe of Bahl Khuza` ah. He was on his way to Makkah.

Though not a Muslim, he was a well-wisher of Muslims - his tribe was an ally of the Holy Prophet ﷺ . So, when he saw Abu Sufyan repenting his retreat from Madinah and all too resolved to go back and fight, he told Abu Sufyan: 'You are making a mistake by thinking that Muslim forces have become weak. I have just passed by a huge army of theirs camped at Hamra' al-Asad. Armed with an array of men and materials, they are about to set out in hot pursuit against you.' This report from him put the awe of Muslim forces in his (Abu Sufyan) heart.

This event has been related in three verses (172-174) given above. It has been said in the first verse (172) that despite injuries and hardships from the Battle of Uhud, when Allah and His Messenger called them up for another Jihad, they were ready for that too. Worth noticing at this point is the fact that the Muslims being praised here had two distinguishing features. The first one appears in مِن بَعْدِ مَا أَصَابَهُمُ الْقَرْ‌حُ (even after they had received the wound) which means that those who responded to the call of Allah and His Messenger were people wounded at the Battle of Badr. Seventy of their brave companions had met their martyrdom on the battlefield while they themselves were riddled with injuries all over their bodies, yet when they were called to serve again, they immediately agreed to join the Jihad.

The second distinctive feature has been mentioned in the words: them who did good and feared Allah) which established that these people were not simply some great achievers on the battlefield striving incessantly and staking their lives for a noble cause, but they also imbibed in their person the highest virtues of Ihsan (righteous conduct) and Taqwa (fear of Allah). Thus, this very blessed combination of virtues is the cause of their great reward.

Removing a doubt

Let there be no doubt about the word: مِنْهُمْ (literally of them' ) used here. It should not be taken to mean that all these people were not armed with the virtues of Ihsan and Taqwa - only some of them were. The simple reason is that the preposition: مِن min (of, some of) used here is not divisive or partitive. It is, rather, doubtlessly narrative which is confirmed by the very opening words of this very verse: الَّذِينَ اسْتَجَابُوا (Those who responded to the call). From this, it is clear that such response and submission simply cannot materialize without having the qualities of Ihsan and Taqwa ingrained in one's personality. That is why most commentators have declared that the preposition: مِن min (of, some of) has been used here in the narrative sense. In short, the essential meaning of the verse is that all these people had rewards waiting for them.

Striving to achieve something good even at the cost of one's life is not enough unless there is total sincerity behind it

Anyway, this particular mode of address leads us to an essential rule of conduct which is: No matter how good is an effort made and no matter how many sacrifices of wealth and life one makes to achieve that end, it can be reward-worthy in the sight of Allah only when it is simultaneously backed by Ihsan and Taqwa. Therefore, the essence of the observation is that the deed undertaken must be for the good pleasure of Allah alone. Otherwise simple feats of bravery, some of which come even at the cost of one's dear life, are just about no lesser among disbelievers as well.

In its ultimate reality, the command of the Messenger of Allah is the command of Allah.

In this event, it will be recalled that the command to pursue the disbelievers was given by the Holy Prophet ﷺ . This does not find mention in any verse of the Holy Qur'an. But, in this particular verse, when the obedience of those people is praised, the command was attributed to both Allah and His Messenger as evident from the words of the text: الَّذِينَ اسْتَجَابُوا لِلَّـهِ وَالرَّ‌سُولِ (172): 'Those who responded to the call of Allah and the Messenger. This proves very clearly that the command which the Holy Prophet ﷺ gives is also the command of Allah even though it has not been mentioned in the Book of Allah.

As for those irreligious deviants who reject Hadith and belittle the status of the Messenger of Allah by restricting it to that of a courier (God forbid), a simple statement, that Allah Almighty has openly declared the command of the Messenger as His own, should be enough to understand the truth - if understanding is what they seek. This statement, moreover, also makes it clear that the Messenger can also by himself and at his discretion, set up rules in accordance with expedient considerations, and all such rules have the same status as that enjoyed by the commandments of Allah.

The Definition of Ihsan

Mentioned several times during the comments given above, the word Ihsan generally means the performance of good deeds with the best of effort and discretion. However, the basic definition of Ihsan was given by the Holy Prophet ﷺ himself as reported in the well-known 'hadith of Jibra'il'. The actual words are:اَن تَعبُد اللہ کاَنَّکَ تَرَاہُ فانِ لَّم تکُن تَرَاہُ فَاِنَّہُ یَرَاکThat is, worship Allah as if you are seeing Him; and if it is not possible for you to (imagine that you) see Him, then, (imagine that) He sees you anyway.

The Definition of Taqwa

The word, Taqwa, has been interpreted variously but the most comprehensive definition is what was given by the blessed Companion Ubayy ibn Ka'b ؓ when Sayyidna ` Umar ؓ asked him as to what Taqwa really was. Sayyidna Ubayy ibn Ka'b ؓ said: '0 Commander of the Faithful, you may have certainly passed by pathways full of thorns, have you not?' Sayyidna ` Umar ؓ said, 'Several times, of course.' Sayyidna Ubayy ibn Ka'b ؓ asked, 'What did you do at that time?' Sayyidna ` Umar ؓ said, 'I folded the hang of my dress and walked carefully.' Sayyidna Ubayy ibn Ka'b ؓ said, 'Enough. You said it. This is what Taqwa means. This mortal world of ours is a bed of thorns, full of the thorns of sins, therefore, one should live in this world in a way that one does not get entangled in the thorns of sin.

The name of this attitude to life is Taqwa, the highest capital gain one can dream of.' The blessed Companion, Sayyidna Abu al-Darda' ؓ used to recite the following verse quite often:یقولُ المَرُٔ فایٔدَتی ، و تقوَی اللہِ اَفضَلُ ما استَفَادا"People say, ` my gain' and 'my money' while, really, the fear of Allah (Taqwa) is the best of what is gained."

وقوله : ( الذين استجابوا لله والرسول من بعد ما أصابهم القرح ) هذا كان يوم " حمراء الأسد " ، وذلك أن المشركين لما أصابوا ما أصابوا من المسلمين كروا راجعين إلى بلادهم ، فلما استمروا في سيرهم تندموا لم لا تمموا على أهل المدينة وجعلوها الفيصلة . فلما بلغ ذلك رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ندب المسلمين إلى الذهاب وراءهم ليرعبهم ويريهم أن بهم قوة وجلدا ، ولم يأذن لأحد سوى من حضر الوقعة يوم أحد ، سوى جابر بن عبد الله رضي الله عنه - لما سنذكره - فانتدب المسلمون على ما بهم من الجراح والإثخان طاعة لله [ عز وجل ] ولرسوله صلى الله عليه وسلم .قال ابن أبي حاتم : حدثنا محمد بن عبد الله بن يزيد ، حدثنا سفيان بن عيينة ، عن عمرو ، عن عكرمة قال : لما رجع المشركون عن أحد قالوا : لا محمدا قتلتم ، ولا الكواعب أردفتم ، بئسما صنعتم ، ارجعوا . فسمع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ، فندب المسلمين فانتدبوا حتى بلغ حمراء الأسد - أو : بئر أبي عيينة - الشك من سفيان - فقال المشركون : نرجع من قابل .

فرجع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ، فكانت تعد غزوة ، فأنزل الله عز وجل : ( الذين استجابوا لله والرسول من بعد ما أصابهم القرح للذين أحسنوا منهم واتقوا أجر عظيم )ورواه ابن مردويه من حديث محمد بن منصور ، عن سفيان بن عيينة ، عن عمرو ، عن عكرمة ، عن ابن عباس فذكره .وقال محمد بن إسحاق : كان يوم أحد يوم السبت للنصف من شوال ، فلما كان الغد من يوم الأحد لست عشرة ليلة مضت من شوال ، أذن مؤذن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم في الناس بطلب العدو ، وأذن مؤذنه ألا يخرج معنا أحد إلا أحد حضر يومنا بالأمس . فكلمه جابر بن عبد الله بن عمرو بن حرام فقال : يا رسول الله ، إن أبي كان خلفني على أخوات لي سبع وقال : يا بني ، إنه لا ينبغي لي ولا لك أن نترك هؤلاء النسوة لا رجل فيهن ، ولست بالذي أوثرك بالجهاد مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم على نفسي ، فتخلف على أخواتك ، فتخلفت عليهن ، فأذن له رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ، فخرج معه .

وإنما خرج رسول الله مرهبا للعدو ، وليبلغهم أنه خرج في طلبهم ليظنوا به قوة ، وأن الذي أصابهم لم يوهنهم عن عدوهم .قال ابن إسحاق : حدثني عبد الله بن خارجة بن زيد بن ثابت ، عن أبي السائب مولى عائشة بنت عثمان ، أن رجلا من أصحاب رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم من بني عبد الأشهل ، كان شهد أحدا قال : شهدت أحدا مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أنا وأخي فرجعنا جريحين ، فلما أذن مؤذن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم بالخروج في طلب العدو ، قلت لأخي - أو قال لي - : أتفوتنا غزوة مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ؟ والله ما لنا من دابة نركبها ، وما منا إلا جريح ثقيل ، فخرجنا مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ، وكنت أيسر جراحا منه ، فكان إذا غلب حملته عقبة ومشى عقبة حتى انتهينا إلى ما انتهى إليه المسلمون .وقال البخاري : حدثنا محمد بن سلام ، حدثنا أبو معاوية ، عن هشام ، عن أبيه ، عن عائشة رضي الله عنها : ( الذين استجابوا لله والرسول ) [ من بعد ما أصابهم القرح للذين أحسنوا منهم واتقوا أجر عظيم ] ) قالت لعروة : يا ابن أختي ، كان أبواك منهم الزبير وأبو بكر ، رضي الله عنهما ، لما أصاب نبي الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ما أصابه يوم أحد ، وانصرف عنه المشركون ، خاف أن يرجعوا فقال : " من يرجع في إثرهم ؟

" فانتدب منهم سبعون رجلا فيهم أبو بكر والزبير ، رضي الله عنهما .هكذا رواه البخاري منفردا به ، بهذا السياق . وهكذا رواه الحاكم في مستدركه عن الأصم ، عن العباس الدوري ، عن أبي النضر ، عن أبي سعيد المؤدب ، عن هشام بن عروة ، به ، ثم قال : صحيح ولم يخرجاه . كذا قال .ورواه أيضا من حديث إسماعيل بن أبي خالد ، عن البهي ، عن عروة قال : قالت لي عائشة : يا بني ، إن أباك من الذين استجابوا لله والرسول من بعد ما أصابهم القرح . ثم قال : صحيح على شرط الشيخين ، ولم يخرجاه .وروى ابن ماجه ، عن هشام بن عمار ، وهدبة بن عبد الوهاب عن سفيان بن عيينة ، عن هشام بن عروة به وهكذا رواه سعيد بن منصور وأبو بكر الحميدي في مسنده عن سفيان ، به .وقال أبو بكر بن مردويه .

حدثنا عبد الله بن جعفر من أصل كتابه ، أنبأنا سمويه ، أنبأنا عبد الله بن الزبير ، أنبأنا سفيان ، أنبأنا هشام ، عن أبيه ، عن عائشة قالت : قال لي رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : " إن كان أبواك لمن الذين استجابوا لله والرسول من بعد ما أصابهم القرح : أبو بكر والزبير ، رضي الله عنهما " .ورفع هذا الحديث خطأ محض من جهة إسناده ، لمخالفته رواية الثقات من وقفه على عائشة كما قدمناه ، ومن جهة معناه ، فإن الزبير ليس هو من آباء عائشة ، وإنما قالت عائشة لعروة بن الزبير ذلك لأنه ابن أختها أسماء بنت أبي بكر الصديق ، رضي الله عنهم .وقال ابن جرير : حدثني محمد بن سعد ، حدثني أبي ، [ حدثني ] عمي ، حدثني أبي ، عن أبيه ، عن ابن عباس قال : إن الله قذف في قلب أبي سفيان الرعب يوم أحد بعد ما كان منه ما كان ، فرجع إلى مكة ، فقال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم : " إن أبا سفيان قد أصاب منكم طرفا ، وقد رجع ، وقذف الله في قلبه الرعب " . وكانت وقعة أحد في شوال ، وكان التجار يقدمون المدينة في ذي القعدة ، فينزلون ببدر الصغرى في كل سنة مرة ، وإنهم قدموا بعد وقعة أحد وكان أصاب المؤمنين القرح ، واشتكوا ذلك إلى النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم ، واشتد عليهم الذي أصابهم .

وإن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ندب الناس لينطلقوا معه ، ويتبعوا ما كانوا متبعين ، وقال : " إنما يرتحلون الآن فيأتون الحج ولا يقدرون على مثلها حتى عام مقبل " . فجاء الشيطان فخوف أولياءه فقال : إن الناس قد جمعوا لكم فأبى عليه الناس أن يتبعوه ، فقال : " إني ذاهب وإن لم يتبعني أحد " . لأحضض الناس ، فانتدب معه أبو بكر الصديق ، وعمر ، وعثمان ، وعلي ، والزبير ، وسعد ، وطلحة ، وعبد الرحمن بن عوف ، وعبد الله بن مسعود ، وحذيفة بن اليمان ، وأبو عبيدة بن الجراح في سبعين رجلا فساروا في طلب أبي سفيان ، فطلبوا حتى بلغوا الصفراء ، فأنزل الله [ عز وجل ] ( الذين استجابوا لله والرسول من بعد ما أصابهم [ القرح للذين أحسنوا منهم واتقوا أجر عظيم ] ) .ثم قال ابن إسحاق : فخرج رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم حتى انتهى إلى حمراء الأسد ، وهي من المدينة على ثمانية أميال .قال ابن هشام : واستعمل على المدينة ابن أم مكتوم فأقام بها الاثنين والثلاثاء والأربعاء ، ثم رجع إلى المدينة .

وقد مر به - كما حدثني عبد الله بن أبي بكر - معبد بن أبي معبد الخزاعي ، وكانت خزاعة - مسلمهم ومشركهم - عيبة نصح لرسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم بتهامة ، صفقتهم معه ، لا يخفون عنه شيئا كان بها ، ومعبد يومئذ مشرك فقال : يا محمد ، أما والله لقد عز علينا ما أصابك في أصحابك ، ولوددنا أن الله عافاك فيهم . ثم خرج ورسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم بحمراء الأسد ، حتى لقي أبا سفيان بن حرب ومن معه بالروحاء ، وقد أجمعوا الرجعة إلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وأصحابه وقالوا : أصبنا حد أصحابه وقادتهم وأشرافهم ، ثم نرجع قبل أن نستأصلهم . . لنكرن على بقيتهم فلنفرغن منهم . فلما رأى أبو سفيان معبدا قال : ما وراءك يا معبد ؟ قال : محمد قد خرج في أصحابه يطلبكم في جمع لم أر مثله قط ، يتحرقون عليكم تحرقا ، قد اجتمع معه من كان تخلف عنه في يومكم ، وندموا على ما صنعوا ، فيهم من الحنق عليكم شيء لم أر مثله قط . قال : ويلك . ما تقول ؟ قال : والله ما أرى أن ترتحل حتى ترى نواصي الخيل - قال : فوالله لقد أجمعنا الكرة عليهم لنستأصل بقيتهم . قال : فإني أنهاك عن ذلك . ووالله لقد حملني ما رأيت على أن قلت فيهم أبياتا من شعر ، قال : وما قلت ؟

قال : قلت :كادت تهد من الأصوات راحلتي إذ سالت الأرض بالجرد الأبابيل تردى بأسد كرام لا تنابلةعند اللقاء ولا ميل معازيل فظلت عدوا أظن الأرض مائلةلما سموا برئيس غير مخذول فقلت : ويل ابن حرب من لقائكمإذا تغطمطت البطحاء بالجيل إني نذير لأهل البسل ضاحيةلكل ذي إربة منهم ومعقول من جيش أحمد لا وخش تنابلةوليس يوصف ما أنذرت بالقيلقال : فثنى ذلك أبا سفيان ومن معه .ومر به ركب من بني عبد القيس ، فقال : أين تريدون ؟ قالوا : نريد المدينة . قال : ولم ؟ قالوا : بعكاظ إذ وافيتمونا . قالوا : نعم .

قال : فإذا وافيتموه فأخبروه أنا قد أجمعنا المسير إليه وإلى أصحابه لنستأصل بقيتهم ، فمر الركب برسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وهو بحمراء الأسد ، فأخبروه بالذي قال أبو سفيان وأصحابه ، فقالوا : حسبنا الله ونعم الوكيل .وذكر ابن هشام عن أبي عبيدة قال : قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم حين بلغه رجوعهم : " والذي نفسي بيده لقد سومت لهم حجارة لو صبحوا بها لكانوا كأمس الذاهب " .وقال الحسن البصري [ في قوله ] ( الذين استجابوا لله والرسول من بعد ما أصابهم القرح ) إن أبا سفيان وأصحابه أصابوا من المسلمين ما أصابوا ورجعوا ، فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : " إن أبا سفيان قد رجع وقد قذف الله في قلبه [ الرعب ] فمن ينتدب في طلبه ؟ " فقام النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم ، وأبو بكر وعمر ، وعثمان ، وعلي ، وناس من أصحاب النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم ، فاتبعوهم ، فبلغ أبا سفيان أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم ، يطلبه فلقي عيرا من التجار فقال : ردوا محمدا ولكم من الجعل كذا وكذا ، وأخبروهم أني قد جمعت لهم جموعا ، وأنني راجع إليهم .

فجاء التجار فأخبروا بذلك رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ، فقال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم : ( حسبنا الله ونعم الوكيل ) فأنزل الله هذه الآية .وهكذا قال عكرمة ، وقتادة وغير واحد : إن هذا السياق نزل في شأن [ غزوة ] حمراء الأسد " ، وقيل : نزلت في بدر الموعد ، والصحيح الأول .