Transliteration:( Iny-yamsaskum qarhum faqad massal qawma qarhum misluh; wa tilkal ayyaamu nudaawiluhaa bainan naasi wa liya'lamal laahul lazeena aamanoo wa yattakhiza minkum shuhadaaa'; wallaahu laa yuh ibbuz zaalimeen )
"If a wound has afflicted you, then indeed a wound like it has also afflicted the people [295]. And those days We alternate among the people [296], so that Allah may make evident those who believe and take from you martyrs [297]; and Allah does not like the unjust [298]."
Addressing the believers, Allah says: O believers! If you sustained injuries and hardships in the Battle of Uhud, remember that the non-believers also suffered a similar fate in the Battle of Badr. However, they did not lose hope or give up. Then why should you be disheartened or frustrated? From this, we learn that Muslims should remain strong and inspired, and their morale should be uplifted by reminding them that their enemies too have suffered trials and setbacks.
This verse teaches that ups and downs in the worldly fortunes of nations are part of Allah’s divine plan. Every nation experiences moments of strength and weakness. Just as a tree is sometimes bare and sometimes lush, and the moon appears as a crescent before becoming full, no nation has a permanent monopoly on power or success.
This verse also reveals that even defeat for the Muslims is a means of gaining honor. If they win, they are recognized as brave warriors; if they are martyred, they gain the status of shahid (martyr). Hence, victory or loss both serve as a divine test, and both can lead to reward and elevation in the sight of Allah. Defeat, in fact, helps in distinguishing between the true believers and the pretenders.
The Holy Qur'an refers to both non-believers and sinners as unjust (zalimoon). In this verse, the word “unjust” is used specifically in reference to the non-believers, as it appears in contrast to believers. From this, we understand that no matter how many good deeds a non-believer may do, they can never earn the love of Allah, because they have rebelled against His divinity and message.
The tafsir of Surah Imran verse 140 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Imran ayat 137 which provides the complete commentary from verse 137 through 143.
(3:140) If a wound has befallen you a similar wound has already befallen the people who are opposed to you.[100] We make such movements to men in turn so that Allah might mark out those who are the true men of faith and select from among you those who do really bear witness (to the Truth):[101] for Allah does not love the wrong-doers,
100. This alludes to the Battle of Badr. The intention is to point out to the Muslims that if the unbelievers were not demoralized by the setback they suffered at Badr then the Muslims should not be disheartened by the setback thev suffered in the Battle of Uhud.
101. The actual words of this verse, can be interpreted in two ways. One meaning could be that God wanted to select some of them so that He could bestow upon them the honour of martyrdom. The second meaning could be that out of the hotch-potch of true believers and hypocrites which their community consisted of at that moment, God wanted to sift those who were truly His witnesses over all mankind. See (Surah Al-Baqarah, ayat 143)
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