Transliteration:( Yaaa ayyuhal lazeena aamanoo laa takoonoo kallazeena kafaroo wa qaaloo li ikhwaanihim izaa daraboo fil ardi aw kaanoo ghuzzal law kaanoo 'indanaa maa maatoo wa maa qutiloo liyaj'alal laahu zaalika hasratan fee quloobihim; wallaahu yuhyee wa yumeet; wallaahu bimaa ta'maloona Baseer )
“O you who believe! Do not be like the infidels who said about their brothers [350] when they traveled through the land or went out for holy war that had they been with us, they would not have died [351] and not have been slain, in order that Allah may make it a cause of regret in their hearts [352]. And Allah gives life and causes death [353]. And Allah sees what you do.”
In this verse, the word "infidels" refers to undisguised disbelievers, while "their brothers" refers to the hypocrites (i.e., those who pretended to be believers). These infidels would express regret that the hypocrites joined the Muslims in battle against their will and ended up being killed.
Alternatively, "infidels" may refer to hypocrites, and "their brothers" could mean true believers who were related to them by family.
From this, emerge two key points:
Undisguised infidels and hypocrites are birds of a feather—sharing the same mentality.
Muslims must not imitate disbelievers in speech, habits, or attitudes. They should remain dignified in deeds, appearance, and speech, avoiding expressions of impatience or disbelief.
From this we learn that phrases like “if they had stayed back…” or “they would not have died” are the language of non-believers. A true believer accepts Allah’s decree and submits to His will without complaint. These contrasting mentalities—faith vs. doubt—will always remain visible between believers and non-believers.
From this verse we learn that those who lack patience and gratitude regarding Allah’s decisions will always suffer more sorrow and pain. In contrast, patience and thankfulness are means to attain peace and tranquillity.
Attachment to worldly life makes death feel more bitter, while inclination toward the Hereafter eases the burden of loss. That’s why the passing of saints is lovingly referred to as Wisaal (reunion with Allah) or Urs (spiritual communion).
In truth, Allah Almighty alone is the giver of life and death. However, such powers may be metaphorically attributed to His chosen servants.
Example: Hazrat Isa (on whom be peace) says: “I give life to the dead, with the permission of Allah” (Surah Aal-e-Imran, 3:49). This demonstrates that any such powers exercised by prophets or saints operate only through Allah’s permission.
156. O you who believe! Be not like those who disbelieve and who say to their brethren when they travel through the earth or go out to fight: “If they had stayed with us, they would not have died or been killed,” so that Allah may make it a cause of regret in their hearts. It is Allah that gives life and causes death. And Allah is All-Seer of what you do. 157. And if you are killed or die in the way of Allah, forgiveness and mercy from Allah are far better than all that they amass. 158. And whether you die or are killed, verily, unto Allah you shall be gathered.
Allah forbids His believing servants from the disbelievers’ false creed, seen in their statement about those who died in battle and during travel; “Had they abandoned these trips, they would not have met their demise.” Allah said,
(O you who believe! Be not like those who disbelieve (hypocrites) and who say to their brethren), about their dead brethren,
(when they travel through the earth) for the purpose of trading and otherwise,
(or go out to fight), participating in battles,
(“If they had stayed with us,”) in our area,
(“they would not have died or been killed,”) they would not have died while traveling or been killed in battle. Allah’s statement,
(so that Allah may make it a cause of regret in their hearts. ) means, Allah creates this evil thought in their hearts so that their sadness and the grief they feel for their loss would increase. Allah refuted them by saying,
(It is Allah that gives life and causes death.) for the creation is under Allah’s power, and the decision is His Alone. No one lives or dies except by Allah’s leave, and no one’s life is increased or decreased except by His decree.
(And Allah is All-Seer of what you do,) for His knowledge and vision encompasses all His creation and none of their affairs ever escapes Him. Allah’s statement,
(And if you are killed or die in the way of Allah, forgiveness and mercy from Allah are far better than all that they amass.) ﴿3:157﴾, indicating that death and martyrdom in Allah’s cause are a means of earning Allah’s mercy, forgiveness and pleasure. This, indeed, is better than remaining in this life with its short lived delights. Furthermore, whoever dies or is killed will return to Allah, the Exalted and Most Honored, and He will reward him if he has done good deeds, or will punish him for his evil deeds. Allah said,
(And whether you die or are killed, verily, unto Allah you shall be gathered.) ﴿3:158﴾.
(3:156) Believers, do not behave like those who disbelieved and say to their brothers (who meet some mishap) in the course of their journey for fighting: Had they remained with us, they would not have died nor been slain.’ Allah makes such thoughts the cause of deep regrets in their hearts.[113] For in truth it is Allah alone who grants life and deals death. Allah sees all that you do.
113. Such ideas had no solid ground. God’s decree regarding the time of one’s death cannot be deferred. Those who lack faith in God and think that everything is dependent on their own scheming and effort rather than on the overpowering Will of God become victims of perpetual remorse, since they never cease to reflect how a slightly different circumstance or slightly altered strategy could have led to an altogether different and wholesome result.
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