3. Aal-i-Imraan

(Say) O Muhammad! (unto those who disbelieve) the unbelievers of Mecca: (Ye shall be overcome) You shall be killed on the Day of Badr (and gathered unto hell) on the Day of Judgement, (an evil resting place) an evil place and outcome.

(There was a token) a sign confirming the prophethood of Muhammad (pbuh) (for you) O people of Mecca (in two hosts) in two groups: that of Muhammad and that of Abu Sufyan (which met) on the Day of Badr: (one army fighting in the way of Allah) in obedience of Allah: Muhammad and his Companions who were 313 men, (and another disbelieving) and another group of disbelievers in Allah and the Messenger: Abu Sufyan and his army which consisted of 950 men, (whom they saw) they saw themselves (as twice their number) as twice the number as that of the Companions of Muhammad (pbuh) (clearly, with their very eyes). It is also said that this can be understood in this way: Say, O Muhammad, to the unbelievers-the Banu Qurayzah and Banu'l-Nadir-you shall be overcome and killed and expelled, and after you die, you will be mustered in Gehenna, an evil abode and end. Allah informed them of this two years before the Battle of Badr took place. Then He revealed: O Jews! You had a sign for the prophethood of Muhammad (pbuh) in the form of two groups-that of Muhammad and that of Abu Sufyan-who met on the Day of Badr. One group (Muhammad (pbuh) and his Companions) fought in obedience of Allah, and the other group consisted of unbelievers in Allah and His Messenger (Abu Sufyan and his group). You saw with your very eyes, O Jews, that the unbelievers were twice the number of the Companions of Muhammad. (Thus Allah strengtheneth with His succour whom He will) i.e. Muhammad. (Lo! Herein) in Allah enabling Muhammad to triumph on the Day of Badr (verily is a lesson for those who have eyes) concerning Religion, i.e. the believers; it is also said that this means: it was a lesson for those who saw it with their own eyes.

Allah then mentions the bounties of the life of this world that He has made attractive for the unbelievers, saying: (Beautified for mankind is) what people's hearts find desirable is (love of the joys (that come) from women) meaning slave women and wives (and offspring) slaves and children, (and stored up heaps) amassed wealth (of gold and silver) it is also said that this means: minted or engraved gold and silver, (and horses branded (with their mark)) beautiful branded horses and grazing in pastures, (and cattle) i.e. sheep, cows and camels (and land) cultivation and cultivated lands. (That) which is mentioned above (is comfort of the life of the world) is of benefit to people in the life of this world and then it vanishes; it is also said that this means: the joys of this world last only for as long as the stuff of any home, a bowl, a plate and the like. (Allah! With Him is a more excellent abode) in the Hereafter, i.e. Paradise, to whoever shun such joys.

Then Allah elucidated the bliss of the Hereafter, its permanence and favour, just as He exposited the joys of the life of this world, by saying: (Say) O Muhammad, to the unbelievers: (Shall I inform you of something better than that?) better than the embellishments of this world. (For those who keep from evil) keep from disbelief, ascribing partners to Allah and indecencies, in reference to Abu Bakr and his fellow believers, (with their Lord, are Gardens beneath which) beneath its trees and habitations (rivers) of wine, honey, milk and water (flow, wherein they will abide for ever) they will dwell in Paradise: they shall neither die nor leave it (and pure companions) they have therein spouses who are spared menses and filth, (and contentment from Allah) and the contentment of Allah is far greater than the bliss they enjoy. (Allah is Seer of His bondmen) He is Seer of the believers, their places in Paradise, as well as their works in the life of this world.

Allah then proceeds to describe them, saying: (Those who say) in the life of this world: (Our Lord!) O our Lord! (Lo! we believe) in You and in Your Messenger. (So forgive us our sins) that we committed in the pre-Islamic period as well as after the advent of Islam (and guard us from the punishment of Fire) drive away from us the punishment of hell;

(The steadfast) in performing the obligations enjoined by Allah and in shunning contraventions against Him; it is also said that this means: the steadfast when misfortunes befall them, (and the Truthful) in their faith, (and the obedient) vis-�-vis Allah and His Messenger, (those who spend) their wealth in the way of Allah, (those who pray for pardon in the watches of the night) supererogatory prayers.

Allah declared then His divine Oneness, saying: (Allah (Himself) is witness) even if no one else bears witness (that there is no God save Him. And the angels) do also bear witness to that (and the men of learning) and the prophets and the believers bear witness to that. (Maintaining His creation in justice, there is no God save Him, the Almighty) in His vengeance against those who do not believe in Him, (the Wise) and He has commanded that none shall be worshipped except Him.

(Lo! Religion) that is accepted (with Allah (is) the Surrender (to His will and guidance)). It is also said that this should be understood as: Allah bears witness that Religion with Him is Islam (the Surrender), and the angels, the prophets and the believers also bear witness to this. This verse was revealed about two men from Historic Syria who asked the Prophet (pbuh) which is the greatest witness in the Book of Allah. When he informed them about it, they embraced Islam. (Those who (formerly) received the Scripture) the Jews and Christians (differed) about Islam and Muhammad (only after knowledge) the exposition of what is in their Scripture (came unto them, through transgression among themselves) out of resentful envy. (Whoso disbelieveth the revelations of Allah) Muhammad and the Qur'an ((will find that) Lo! Allah is swift at reckoning) severe in His punishment.

Allah then mentions their argument with the Prophet (pbuh) about the Religion of Islam, saying: (And if they) i.e. the Jews and Christians (argue with thee, O Muhammad, say: I have surrendered my purpose) I make my Religion and works sincere (to Allah and (so have) those who follow me. And say unto those who have received the Scripture) the Jews and Christians (and those who read not) i.e. the Arabs: (Have ye (too) surrendered?) do you surrender as we have surrendered? Allah then said: (If they surrender) as you have surrendered, (then truly they are rightly guided) from error, (and if they turn away) from surrender, (then it is your duty only to convey the message (unto them)) on behalf of Allah. (Allah is Seer of (His) bondmen) those who believe and those who do not.