3. Aal-i-Imraan

And by the mercy of Allah, you dealt with them gently. And had you been severe and harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about you; so pardon them, and ask forgiveness for them; and consult them in the affairs. Then when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah, certainly, Allah loves those who put their trust (in Him)(159)If Allah helps you, none can overcome you; and if He forsakes you, who is there after Him that can help you? And in Allah (Alone) let believers put their trust (160)It is not for any Prophet to illegally take a part of the booty, and whosoever deceives his companions over the booty, he shall bring forth on the Day of Resurrection that which he took. Then every person shall be paid in full what he has earned, and they shall not be dealt with unjustly (161)Is then one who follows (seeks) the pleasure of Allah like the one who draws on himself the wrath of Allah? His abode is Hell, and worse indeed is that destination (162)They are in varying grades with Allah, and Allah is All-Seer of what they do (163)Indeed, Allah conferred a great favor on the believers when He sent among them a Messenger from among themselves, reciting unto them His verses (the Qur'an), and purifying them, and instructing them (in) the Book (the Qur'an) and Al-Hikmah [the wisdom and the Sunnah], while before that they had been in manifest error (164)

Among the Qualities of Our Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) are Mercy and Kindness

Allah addresses His Messenger ﷺ and reminds him and the believers of the favor that He has made his heart and words soft for his Ummah, those who follow his command and refrain from what he prohibits.

فَبِمَا رَحْمَةٍ مِّنَ اللَّهِ لِنتَ لَهُمْ

(And by the mercy of Allah, you dealt with them gently)[3:159]. meaning, who would have made you this kind, if it was not Allah's mercy for you and them. Qatadah said that,

فَبِمَا رَحْمَةٍ مِّنَ اللَّهِ لِنتَ لَهُمْ

(And by the mercy of Allah, you dealt with them gently) means, "With Allah's mercy you became this kind." Al-Hasan Al-Basri said that this, indeed, is the description of the behavior that Allah sent Muhammad ﷺ with. This Ayah is similar to Allah's statement,

لَقَدْ جَاءَكُمْ رَسُولٌ مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ عَزِيزٌ عَلَيْهِ مَا عَنِتُّمْ حَرِيصٌ عَلَيْكُم بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ

(Verily, there has come unto you a Messenger from among yourselves. It grieves him that you should receive any injury or difficulty. He is anxious over you (to be rightly guided, to repent to Allah); for the believers (he is) full of pity, kind, and merciful)[9:128]. Allah said next,

وَلَوْ كُنتَ فَظًّا غَلِيظَ الْقَلْبِ لَانفَضُّوا مِنْ حَوْلِكَ

(And had you been severe and harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about you;)

The severe person is he who utters harsh words, and,

غَلِيظَ الْقَلْبِ

(harsh-hearted) is the person whose heart is hard. Had this been the Prophet's behavior, "They would have scattered from around you. However, Allah gathered them and made you kind and soft with them, so that their hearts congregate around you." 'Abdullah bin 'Amr said that he read the description of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ in previous Books, "He is not severe, harsh, obscene …

And by the mercy of Allah, you dealt with them gently. And had you been severe and harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about you; so pardon them, and ask forgiveness for them; and consult them in the affairs. Then when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah, certainly, Allah loves those who put their trust (in Him)(159)If Allah helps you, none can overcome you; and if He forsakes you, who is there after Him that can help you? And in Allah (Alone) let believers put their trust (160)It is not for any Prophet to illegally take a part of the booty, and whosoever deceives his companions over the booty, he shall bring forth on the Day of Resurrection that which he took. Then every person shall be paid in full what he has earned, and they shall not be dealt with unjustly (161)Is then one who follows (seeks) the pleasure of Allah like the one who draws on himself the wrath of Allah? His abode is Hell, and worse indeed is that destination (162)They are in varying grades with Allah, and Allah is All-Seer of what they do (163)Indeed, Allah conferred a great favor on the believers when He sent among them a Messenger from among themselves, reciting unto them His verses (the Qur'an), and purifying them, and instructing them (in) the Book (the Qur'an) and Al-Hikmah [the wisdom and the Sunnah], while before that they had been in manifest error (164)

Among the Qualities of Our Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) are Mercy and Kindness

Allah addresses His Messenger ﷺ and reminds him and the believers of the favor that He has made his heart and words soft for his Ummah, those who follow his command and refrain from what he prohibits.

فَبِمَا رَحْمَةٍ مِّنَ اللَّهِ لِنتَ لَهُمْ

(And by the mercy of Allah, you dealt with them gently)[3:159]. meaning, who would have made you this kind, if it was not Allah's mercy for you and them. Qatadah said that,

فَبِمَا رَحْمَةٍ مِّنَ اللَّهِ لِنتَ لَهُمْ

(And by the mercy of Allah, you dealt with them gently) means, "With Allah's mercy you became this kind." Al-Hasan Al-Basri said that this, indeed, is the description of the behavior that Allah sent Muhammad ﷺ with. This Ayah is similar to Allah's statement,

لَقَدْ جَاءَكُمْ رَسُولٌ مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ عَزِيزٌ عَلَيْهِ مَا عَنِتُّمْ حَرِيصٌ عَلَيْكُم بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ

(Verily, there has come unto you a Messenger from among yourselves. It grieves him that you should receive any injury or difficulty. He is anxious over you (to be rightly guided, to repent to Allah); for the believers (he is) full of pity, kind, and merciful)[9:128]. Allah said next,

وَلَوْ كُنتَ فَظًّا غَلِيظَ الْقَلْبِ لَانفَضُّوا مِنْ حَوْلِكَ

(And had you been severe and harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about you;)

The severe person is he who utters harsh words, and,

غَلِيظَ الْقَلْبِ

(harsh-hearted) is the person whose heart is hard. Had this been the Prophet's behavior, "They would have scattered from around you. However, Allah gathered them and made you kind and soft with them, so that their hearts congregate around you." 'Abdullah bin 'Amr said that he read the description of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ in previous Books, "He is not severe, harsh, obscene …

And by the mercy of Allah, you dealt with them gently. And had you been severe and harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about you; so pardon them, and ask forgiveness for them; and consult them in the affairs. Then when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah, certainly, Allah loves those who put their trust (in Him)(159)If Allah helps you, none can overcome you; and if He forsakes you, who is there after Him that can help you? And in Allah (Alone) let believers put their trust (160)It is not for any Prophet to illegally take a part of the booty, and whosoever deceives his companions over the booty, he shall bring forth on the Day of Resurrection that which he took. Then every person shall be paid in full what he has earned, and they shall not be dealt with unjustly (161)Is then one who follows (seeks) the pleasure of Allah like the one who draws on himself the wrath of Allah? His abode is Hell, and worse indeed is that destination (162)They are in varying grades with Allah, and Allah is All-Seer of what they do (163)Indeed, Allah conferred a great favor on the believers when He sent among them a Messenger from among themselves, reciting unto them His verses (the Qur'an), and purifying them, and instructing them (in) the Book (the Qur'an) and Al-Hikmah [the wisdom and the Sunnah], while before that they had been in manifest error (164)

Among the Qualities of Our Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) are Mercy and Kindness

Allah addresses His Messenger ﷺ and reminds him and the believers of the favor that He has made his heart and words soft for his Ummah, those who follow his command and refrain from what he prohibits.

فَبِمَا رَحْمَةٍ مِّنَ اللَّهِ لِنتَ لَهُمْ

(And by the mercy of Allah, you dealt with them gently)[3:159]. meaning, who would have made you this kind, if it was not Allah's mercy for you and them. Qatadah said that,

فَبِمَا رَحْمَةٍ مِّنَ اللَّهِ لِنتَ لَهُمْ

(And by the mercy of Allah, you dealt with them gently) means, "With Allah's mercy you became this kind." Al-Hasan Al-Basri said that this, indeed, is the description of the behavior that Allah sent Muhammad ﷺ with. This Ayah is similar to Allah's statement,

لَقَدْ جَاءَكُمْ رَسُولٌ مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ عَزِيزٌ عَلَيْهِ مَا عَنِتُّمْ حَرِيصٌ عَلَيْكُم بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ

(Verily, there has come unto you a Messenger from among yourselves. It grieves him that you should receive any injury or difficulty. He is anxious over you (to be rightly guided, to repent to Allah); for the believers (he is) full of pity, kind, and merciful)[9:128]. Allah said next,

وَلَوْ كُنتَ فَظًّا غَلِيظَ الْقَلْبِ لَانفَضُّوا مِنْ حَوْلِكَ

(And had you been severe and harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about you;)

The severe person is he who utters harsh words, and,

غَلِيظَ الْقَلْبِ

(harsh-hearted) is the person whose heart is hard. Had this been the Prophet's behavior, "They would have scattered from around you. However, Allah gathered them and made you kind and soft with them, so that their hearts congregate around you." 'Abdullah bin 'Amr said that he read the description of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ in previous Books, "He is not severe, harsh, obscene …

(What is the matter with you?) When a single disaster smites you, although you smote (your enemies) with one twice as great, you say: "From where does this come to us?" Say, "It is from yourselves." And Allah has power over all things (165)And what you suffered on the day the two armies met, was by the leave of Allah, in order that He might test the believers (166)And that He might test the hypocrites, it was said to them: "Come, fight in the way of Allah or defend yourselves." They said: "Had we known that fighting will take place, we would certainly have followed you." They were that day, nearer to disbelief than to faith, saying with their mouths what was not in their hearts. And Allah has full knowledge of what they conceal (167)(They are) the ones who said about their killed brethren while they themselves sat (at home): "If only they had listened to us, they would not have been killed." Say: "Avert death from your own selves, if you speak the truth. (168)

The Reason and Wisdom Behind the Defeat at Uhud

Allah said,

أَوَلَمَّا أَصَابَتْكُم مُّصِيبَةٌ

(When a single disaster smites you), in reference to when the Muslims suffered seventy fatalities during the battle of Uhud,

قَدْ أَصَبْتُم مِّثْلَيْهَا

(although you smote (your enemies) with one twice as great,) during Badr, when the Muslims killed seventy Mushriks and captured seventy others,

قُلْتُمْ أَنَّىٰ هَٰذَا

(you say: "From where does this come to us") why did this defeat happen to us?

قُلْ هُوَ مِنْ عِندِ أَنفُسِكُمْ

(Say, "It is from yourselves.") Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that 'Umar bin Al-Khattab said, "When Uhud occurred, a year after Badr, Muslims were punished for taking ransom from the disbelievers at Badr [in return for releasing the Mushriks whom they captured in that battle]. Thus, they suffered the loss of seventy fatalities and the Companions of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ gave flight and abandoned him. The Messenger ﷺ suffered a broken tooth, the helmet was smashed on his head and blood flowed onto his face. Allah then revealed,

أَوَلَمَّا أَصَابَتْكُم مُّصِيبَةٌ قَدْ أَصَبْتُم مِّثْلَيْهَا قُلْتُمْ أَنَّىٰ هَٰذَا قُلْ هُوَ مِنْ عِندِ أَنفُسِكُمْ

(When a single disaster smites you, although you smote (your enemies) with one twice as great, you say: "From where does this come to us?" Say, "It is from yourselves".), because you took the ransom." Furthermore, Muhammad bin Ishaq, Ibn Jurayj, Ar-Rabi' bin Anas and As-Suddi said that the Ayah,

قُلْ هُوَ مِنْ عِندِ أَنفُسِكُمْ

(Say, "It is from yourselves.") means, because you, the archers, disobeyed the Messenger's ﷺ command to not abandon your positions.

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

(And Allah has power over all things.) and He does what He wills and decides what He wills, and there is none who can resist His decision.

Allah then said,

وَمَا أَصَابَكُمْ يَوْمَ الْتَقَى الْجَمْعَانِ فَبِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ

(And what you suffered on the day the two armies met, was by the leave of Allah), for when you ran away from your enemy, who killed many of you and injured many others, all this occurred by Allah's will and decree out of His perfect wisdom,

وَلِيَعْلَمَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ

(in order that He might test …

(What is the matter with you?) When a single disaster smites you, although you smote (your enemies) with one twice as great, you say: "From where does this come to us?" Say, "It is from yourselves." And Allah has power over all things (165)And what you suffered on the day the two armies met, was by the leave of Allah, in order that He might test the believers (166)And that He might test the hypocrites, it was said to them: "Come, fight in the way of Allah or defend yourselves." They said: "Had we known that fighting will take place, we would certainly have followed you." They were that day, nearer to disbelief than to faith, saying with their mouths what was not in their hearts. And Allah has full knowledge of what they conceal (167)(They are) the ones who said about their killed brethren while they themselves sat (at home): "If only they had listened to us, they would not have been killed." Say: "Avert death from your own selves, if you speak the truth. (168)

The Reason and Wisdom Behind the Defeat at Uhud

Allah said,

أَوَلَمَّا أَصَابَتْكُم مُّصِيبَةٌ

(When a single disaster smites you), in reference to when the Muslims suffered seventy fatalities during the battle of Uhud,

قَدْ أَصَبْتُم مِّثْلَيْهَا

(although you smote (your enemies) with one twice as great,) during Badr, when the Muslims killed seventy Mushriks and captured seventy others,

قُلْتُمْ أَنَّىٰ هَٰذَا

(you say: "From where does this come to us") why did this defeat happen to us?

قُلْ هُوَ مِنْ عِندِ أَنفُسِكُمْ

(Say, "It is from yourselves.") Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that 'Umar bin Al-Khattab said, "When Uhud occurred, a year after Badr, Muslims were punished for taking ransom from the disbelievers at Badr [in return for releasing the Mushriks whom they captured in that battle]. Thus, they suffered the loss of seventy fatalities and the Companions of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ gave flight and abandoned him. The Messenger ﷺ suffered a broken tooth, the helmet was smashed on his head and blood flowed onto his face. Allah then revealed,

أَوَلَمَّا أَصَابَتْكُم مُّصِيبَةٌ قَدْ أَصَبْتُم مِّثْلَيْهَا قُلْتُمْ أَنَّىٰ هَٰذَا قُلْ هُوَ مِنْ عِندِ أَنفُسِكُمْ

(When a single disaster smites you, although you smote (your enemies) with one twice as great, you say: "From where does this come to us?" Say, "It is from yourselves".), because you took the ransom." Furthermore, Muhammad bin Ishaq, Ibn Jurayj, Ar-Rabi' bin Anas and As-Suddi said that the Ayah,

قُلْ هُوَ مِنْ عِندِ أَنفُسِكُمْ

(Say, "It is from yourselves.") means, because you, the archers, disobeyed the Messenger's ﷺ command to not abandon your positions.

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

(And Allah has power over all things.) and He does what He wills and decides what He wills, and there is none who can resist His decision.

Allah then said,

وَمَا أَصَابَكُمْ يَوْمَ الْتَقَى الْجَمْعَانِ فَبِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ

(And what you suffered on the day the two armies met, was by the leave of Allah), for when you ran away from your enemy, who killed many of you and injured many others, all this occurred by Allah's will and decree out of His perfect wisdom,

وَلِيَعْلَمَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ

(in order that He might test …

(What is the matter with you?) When a single disaster smites you, although you smote (your enemies) with one twice as great, you say: "From where does this come to us?" Say, "It is from yourselves." And Allah has power over all things (165)And what you suffered on the day the two armies met, was by the leave of Allah, in order that He might test the believers (166)And that He might test the hypocrites, it was said to them: "Come, fight in the way of Allah or defend yourselves." They said: "Had we known that fighting will take place, we would certainly have followed you." They were that day, nearer to disbelief than to faith, saying with their mouths what was not in their hearts. And Allah has full knowledge of what they conceal (167)(They are) the ones who said about their killed brethren while they themselves sat (at home): "If only they had listened to us, they would not have been killed." Say: "Avert death from your own selves, if you speak the truth. (168)

The Reason and Wisdom Behind the Defeat at Uhud

Allah said,

أَوَلَمَّا أَصَابَتْكُم مُّصِيبَةٌ

(When a single disaster smites you), in reference to when the Muslims suffered seventy fatalities during the battle of Uhud,

قَدْ أَصَبْتُم مِّثْلَيْهَا

(although you smote (your enemies) with one twice as great,) during Badr, when the Muslims killed seventy Mushriks and captured seventy others,

قُلْتُمْ أَنَّىٰ هَٰذَا

(you say: "From where does this come to us") why did this defeat happen to us?

قُلْ هُوَ مِنْ عِندِ أَنفُسِكُمْ

(Say, "It is from yourselves.") Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that 'Umar bin Al-Khattab said, "When Uhud occurred, a year after Badr, Muslims were punished for taking ransom from the disbelievers at Badr [in return for releasing the Mushriks whom they captured in that battle]. Thus, they suffered the loss of seventy fatalities and the Companions of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ gave flight and abandoned him. The Messenger ﷺ suffered a broken tooth, the helmet was smashed on his head and blood flowed onto his face. Allah then revealed,

أَوَلَمَّا أَصَابَتْكُم مُّصِيبَةٌ قَدْ أَصَبْتُم مِّثْلَيْهَا قُلْتُمْ أَنَّىٰ هَٰذَا قُلْ هُوَ مِنْ عِندِ أَنفُسِكُمْ

(When a single disaster smites you, although you smote (your enemies) with one twice as great, you say: "From where does this come to us?" Say, "It is from yourselves".), because you took the ransom." Furthermore, Muhammad bin Ishaq, Ibn Jurayj, Ar-Rabi' bin Anas and As-Suddi said that the Ayah,

قُلْ هُوَ مِنْ عِندِ أَنفُسِكُمْ

(Say, "It is from yourselves.") means, because you, the archers, disobeyed the Messenger's ﷺ command to not abandon your positions.

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

(And Allah has power over all things.) and He does what He wills and decides what He wills, and there is none who can resist His decision.

Allah then said,

وَمَا أَصَابَكُمْ يَوْمَ الْتَقَى الْجَمْعَانِ فَبِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ

(And what you suffered on the day the two armies met, was by the leave of Allah), for when you ran away from your enemy, who killed many of you and injured many others, all this occurred by Allah's will and decree out of His perfect wisdom,

وَلِيَعْلَمَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ

(in order that He might test …

(What is the matter with you?) When a single disaster smites you, although you smote (your enemies) with one twice as great, you say: "From where does this come to us?" Say, "It is from yourselves." And Allah has power over all things (165)And what you suffered on the day the two armies met, was by the leave of Allah, in order that He might test the believers (166)And that He might test the hypocrites, it was said to them: "Come, fight in the way of Allah or defend yourselves." They said: "Had we known that fighting will take place, we would certainly have followed you." They were that day, nearer to disbelief than to faith, saying with their mouths what was not in their hearts. And Allah has full knowledge of what they conceal (167)(They are) the ones who said about their killed brethren while they themselves sat (at home): "If only they had listened to us, they would not have been killed." Say: "Avert death from your own selves, if you speak the truth. (168)

The Reason and Wisdom Behind the Defeat at Uhud

Allah said,

أَوَلَمَّا أَصَابَتْكُم مُّصِيبَةٌ

(When a single disaster smites you), in reference to when the Muslims suffered seventy fatalities during the battle of Uhud,

قَدْ أَصَبْتُم مِّثْلَيْهَا

(although you smote (your enemies) with one twice as great,) during Badr, when the Muslims killed seventy Mushriks and captured seventy others,

قُلْتُمْ أَنَّىٰ هَٰذَا

(you say: "From where does this come to us") why did this defeat happen to us?

قُلْ هُوَ مِنْ عِندِ أَنفُسِكُمْ

(Say, "It is from yourselves.") Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that 'Umar bin Al-Khattab said, "When Uhud occurred, a year after Badr, Muslims were punished for taking ransom from the disbelievers at Badr [in return for releasing the Mushriks whom they captured in that battle]. Thus, they suffered the loss of seventy fatalities and the Companions of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ gave flight and abandoned him. The Messenger ﷺ suffered a broken tooth, the helmet was smashed on his head and blood flowed onto his face. Allah then revealed,

أَوَلَمَّا أَصَابَتْكُم مُّصِيبَةٌ قَدْ أَصَبْتُم مِّثْلَيْهَا قُلْتُمْ أَنَّىٰ هَٰذَا قُلْ هُوَ مِنْ عِندِ أَنفُسِكُمْ

(When a single disaster smites you, although you smote (your enemies) with one twice as great, you say: "From where does this come to us?" Say, "It is from yourselves".), because you took the ransom." Furthermore, Muhammad bin Ishaq, Ibn Jurayj, Ar-Rabi' bin Anas and As-Suddi said that the Ayah,

قُلْ هُوَ مِنْ عِندِ أَنفُسِكُمْ

(Say, "It is from yourselves.") means, because you, the archers, disobeyed the Messenger's ﷺ command to not abandon your positions.

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

(And Allah has power over all things.) and He does what He wills and decides what He wills, and there is none who can resist His decision.

Allah then said,

وَمَا أَصَابَكُمْ يَوْمَ الْتَقَى الْجَمْعَانِ فَبِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ

(And what you suffered on the day the two armies met, was by the leave of Allah), for when you ran away from your enemy, who killed many of you and injured many others, all this occurred by Allah's will and decree out of His perfect wisdom,

وَلِيَعْلَمَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ

(in order that He might test …

(169. 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.)(170. They rejoice in what Allah has bestowed upon them of His bounty and rejoice for the sake of those who have not yet joined them, but are left behind (not yet martyred) that on them no fear shall come, nor shall they grieve.)(171. They rejoice in a grace and a bounty from Allah, and that Allah will not waste the reward of the believers.)(172. 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.)(173. Those to whom 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.")(174. So they returned with grace and bounty from Allah. No harm touched them; and they followed the pleasure of Allah. And Allah is the Owner of great bounty.)(175. It is only Shaytan that suggests to you the fear of his friends; so fear them not, but fear Me, if you are indeed believers.)

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,

وَلَا تَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ قُتِلُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أَمْوَاتًا 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 …

(169. 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.)(170. They rejoice in what Allah has bestowed upon them of His bounty and rejoice for the sake of those who have not yet joined them, but are left behind (not yet martyred) that on them no fear shall come, nor shall they grieve.)(171. They rejoice in a grace and a bounty from Allah, and that Allah will not waste the reward of the believers.)(172. 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.)(173. Those to whom 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.")(174. So they returned with grace and bounty from Allah. No harm touched them; and they followed the pleasure of Allah. And Allah is the Owner of great bounty.)(175. It is only Shaytan that suggests to you the fear of his friends; so fear them not, but fear Me, if you are indeed believers.)

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,

وَلَا تَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ قُتِلُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أَمْوَاتًا 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 …