Surah Aal-i-Imraan 3:122 - Tafsir & Translation
Read the Arabic text, translation, and detailed commentary for Surah Aal-i-Imraan, Ayah 122
Arabic Text
اِذۡ هَمَّتۡ طَّآٮِٕفَتَانِ مِنۡكُمۡ اَنۡ تَفۡشَلَاۙ وَاللّٰهُ وَلِيُّهُمَاؕ وَعَلَى اللّٰهِ فَلۡيَتَوَكَّلِ الۡمُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ
Transliteration
Ith hammat ta-ifataniminkum an tafshala wallahu waliyyuhumawaAAala Allahi falyatawakkali almu/minoon
Verse Definition & Meaning
Meaning & Definition
Ali 'Imran 3:122 reveals a profound moment during the Battle of Uhud when two Muslim tribes, Bani Harithah and Bani Salamah, experienced temporary loss of courage but received divine protection from Allah. The Arabic text 'ith hammat ta-ifatani minkum an tafshala wa Allahu waliyyuhuma' translates to 'When two groups among you were about to lose heart, but Allah was their protector.' According to authentic Islamic scholarship, these tribes felt discouraged when the hypocrite Abdullah ibn Ubayy withdrew with 300 men, creating doubt and fear in their hearts. However, Allah's divine intervention strengthened their resolve and prevented their retreat. The verse concludes with the fundamental Islamic principle 'wa ala Allahi falyatawakkal al-mu'minoon' - 'and upon Allah let the believers rely.' This teaches the concept of tawakkul (trust in Allah), emphasizing that while believers should use available material means, ultimate reliance must be placed in Allah alone. The scholarly consensus, including hadith from Jabir ibn Abdullah recorded in Bukhari and Muslim, confirms these tribes were honored by Allah's protection despite their momentary weakness. This verse demonstrates that Allah's support comes not due to human perfection, but through divine mercy for those who sincerely strive in His path.
This definition is based on classical Islamic scholarship and authentic interpretations from recognized scholars.
Tafsir & Context
Detailed tafsir and context for Surah Aal-i-Imraan Ayah 122 will be available soon.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions: Surah Aal-i-Imraan Ayah 122
Find answers to common questions about the meaning, interpretation, and significance of this verse in Islamic teachings and daily life.
❓Who were the two groups mentioned in Ali 'Imran 3:122 that were about to lose heart?
According to authentic hadith narrated by Jabir ibn Abdullah in Bukhari and Muslim, the two groups were Bani Harithah from the tribe of Aws and Bani Salamah from the tribe of Khazraj. These were noble Muslim tribes who experienced temporary discouragement during the Battle of Uhud when they witnessed Abdullah ibn Ubayy and his hypocritical followers withdraw from the battle with 300 men.
❓Why did Bani Harithah and Bani Salamah lose heart at the Battle of Uhud?
These two tribes lost courage when they saw the hypocrite Abdullah ibn Ubayy withdraw with a third of the Muslim army (300 men), claiming the Prophet did not listen to his advice. This sudden reduction in numbers from 1,000 to 700 fighters against 3,000 Qurayshi warriors created natural human apprehension. However, their momentary weakness was due to material considerations, not any deficiency in faith, as confirmed by Allah calling Himself their protector.
❓What does 'Allah was their protector (wali)' mean in Islamic theology?
The term 'wali' in this context means Allah was their guardian, protector, supporter, and helper. It signifies divine intervention that strengthened their hearts, removed their fears, and prevented them from retreating. This divine protection demonstrates that Allah does not abandon sincere believers during moments of human weakness, but provides special spiritual support to restore their confidence and faith. The use of 'wali' indicates an intimate, caring relationship between Allah and His faithful servants.
❓How should believers practice tawakkul (trust in Allah) according to this verse?
Tawakkul means using all available material means while placing ultimate trust in Allah alone. It does not mean abandoning practical preparation - the Prophet ﷺ himself organized military strategies, weapons, and battle plans. Rather, believers should gather necessary resources to their best ability, make proper plans, then trust that Allah controls the final outcome. The difference from non-believers is that Muslims combine maximum practical effort with complete spiritual reliance on Allah's wisdom and decree.
❓What is the difference between material reliance and spiritual trust in Islamic guidance?
Material reliance means depending solely on numbers, equipment, and human strategy for success, which leads to pride and eventual disappointment. Spiritual trust (tawakkul) means using material means as Allah's blessings while recognizing that victory comes only from Allah. A Muslim collects necessary resources but never becomes proud of material assets, maintaining the attitude 'we trust in Allah.' This balanced approach combines practical wisdom with spiritual humility and dependence on divine assistance.
❓How does Allah support believers during moments of weakness according to Islamic teaching?
Allah provides special divine succour (ta'yeed) that strengthens hearts, removes fears, and restores confidence when believers face overwhelming challenges. This support comes not because of human perfection, but through Allah's mercy for those who sincerely strive in His path. The Quran shows that even momentary weakness doesn't disqualify believers from divine protection - rather, Allah's intervention helps them overcome their human limitations and continue their righteous struggle.
❓What can modern Muslims learn from this verse about overcoming fear and anxiety?
Modern Muslims can learn that experiencing fear or anxiety during difficult circumstances is natural and doesn't indicate weak faith. The key is to turn to Allah in trust rather than relying solely on material solutions. Just as Allah protected these tribes despite their momentary weakness, He continues to support believers who maintain sincere faith. This verse teaches that divine assistance comes through sincere reliance on Allah, proper preparation using available means, and remembering that ultimate outcomes rest in Allah's wise hands.
❓How does divine protection work in times of crisis according to Islamic understanding?
Divine protection operates through Allah's knowledge of believers' hearts and His mercy toward sincere servants. When Allah sees genuine faith accompanied by temporary human weakness, He intervenes with spiritual strength, practical assistance, and removal of obstacles. This protection may come through strengthening resolve, providing unexpected help, changing circumstances, or enabling believers to endure difficulties with patience. The verse emphasizes that Allah's protection is always available to those who place their ultimate trust in Him.
❓What is the significance of this verse being revealed about specific named tribes?
The specific mention of Bani Harithah and Bani Salamah serves multiple purposes: it demonstrates Allah's complete knowledge of human hearts, provides historical authenticity to the Quranic account, honors these tribes by acknowledging their sincere faith despite momentary weakness, and offers comfort to all believers that Allah is aware of their individual struggles. Jabir ibn Abdullah said they were pleased this verse was revealed because it proclaimed 'Allah was their protector,' turning a moment of weakness into eternal honor.
❓How does this verse connect to the broader themes of Surah Ali 'Imran regarding community resilience?
This verse reinforces Surah Ali 'Imran's central themes of maintaining unity during trials, learning from both victories and setbacks, and building community resilience through collective trust in Allah. It shows that even when some members experience weakness, Allah's protection extends to the entire believing community. The verse teaches that true strength comes from spiritual cohesion and shared reliance on Allah, not merely from material advantages or numerical superiority in facing life's challenges.
Translations & Commentary
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