Transliteration:( Iz jaaa'ookum min fawqikum wa min asfala minkum wa iz zaaghatil absaaru wa balaghatil quloobul hanaajira wa tazunnoona billaahiz zunoonaa )
"When they (infidels) came upon you from above you, and from below [23] you, and when your eyes dazzled in amazement, and hearts rose up to your throats [24], and you began to think diverse thoughts [25] about Allah (of hope and despair)."
Banu Ghatfaan, along with the infidels of Najd and Asad, approached from the upper (eastern) side of Madina, led by Ainiyyah ibn Hisseen and Amir ibn Tufail, with the Jews supporting them. Meanwhile, the Quraish and Banu Kinanah came from the lower (western) side under Abu Sufyaan. Thus, Madina was encircled from both ends.
This occurred during the Battle of the Trench (Khandaq) in Shawwal, 4 AH, after the Banu Nazeer were exiled due to their treachery. These Jews provoked Quraish and allied tribes to attack the Muslims. Acting on Hazrat Salman Farsi’s advice, the Prophet ﷺ led the companions in digging a trench—an unfamiliar strategy to the Arabs—which surprised the enemy. Despite their large army of twelve thousand, the trench blocked their advance. They laid siege to Madina for 24 days, causing immense hardship for the Muslims. But Allah sent cyclonic winds, intense cold, and darkness upon the enemy camp—uprooting their tents, scattering their animals, and spreading fear through the arrival of angels. The infidels fled, leaving behind their wealth, which was seized by the Muslims.
The Muslims, surrounded and outnumbered, were struck with intense fear and uncertainty. Their eyes widened, hearts trembled, and thoughts of doom crept in. However, this anxiety was a natural human reaction, not a sign of disbelief or doubt in Allah’s promise. Hence, Allah did not rebuke them, but instead praised their steadfastness and endurance during this grave trial.
The tafsir of Surah Ahzab verse 10 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Ahzab ayat 9 which provides the complete commentary from verse 9 through 10.
(33:10) When they came upon you from above you and from below you,[20] when your eyes were stupefied with horror and your hearts leapt to your throats, and you began to entertain diverse thoughts about Allah.
20. It may mean: The enemies came upon you from every side, and also that those coming from Najd and Khaiber came from above and those coming from Makkah from below you.”
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