Quran Garden

Session 470

Chapter 3

Verses 142 & 143

Or did you suppose that you were going to enter Paradise without God knowing those among you who had struggled and knowing the steadfast?  (Chapter 3: Verse 142)

Faith is not the mere words you utter; it is necessary to back your words with actions.  You cannot just talk the talk, you have to walk the walk, and the chance to prove yourself will come through life's tests and trials of life.  But do not expect such trials to be easy.  Why?  Because the prize is Paradise, and that is worth fighting for.  Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him said, "He who fears missing out should work day and night, and he who works day and night will reach the destination.  Indeed, God's merchandise is very expensive.  Indeed, God's merchandise is Paradise." 

Thus, your testimony: "There is no God but God and Muhammad is His Messenger," carries a heavy weight and God wants to see your actions.  If you are sincere, you will step up and defend your faith and stand for the truth.  It is an exam that every believer must pass.

In the previous session, we explained in detail the meaning behind phrases such as "God knowing those among you who had struggled and knowing the steadfast."  Allah has complete knowledge of what you do and what is within your heart, but He does not use His knowledge against you.  He, the All-Wise, will put you through the test and present your actions as evidence.  We gave the example of a school teacher who is fully aware of each student's level of knowledge in the class, yet he puts the students through a final exam so they can see the results for themselves.  If a student comes to argue, all the teacher has to do is point to the test score.  On the other hand, if the exam was not conducted, every parent and student can claim they deserve high grades and honors.

Likewise, God fully knows those "who had struggled" and "the steadfast." The trials of life, such as the battle of Uhud, are meant to present proof to the believers.   Listen to the next Aya of Al-Imran.  God says,

Before you encountered death, you were hoping for it.  Well, now you have seen it with your own eyes.  (Chapter 3: Verse 143)

Some believers who missed out on participating in the battle of Badr had been wishing to join the Prophet in the next fight.  Now they had the opportunity to join Uhud.  God is highlighting the reality for them: Do you think that victory is achieved by the mere presence of Muslims on the battlefield?  Do you believe that life can be had by wishing alone?  If you thought victory was easy, it means that you entered Islam just to claim your slice of glory.  You should know that faith requires sacrifice, and on some occasions, you must put your wealth and life on the line.  God says,

Or did you suppose that you were going to enter Paradise without God knowing those among you who had struggled and knowing the steadfast?

And in another chapter,

God has bought the souls and possessions of the faithful in exchange for Paradise.  They fight in God's cause: they kill and are killed- this is a true promise given by Him in the Torah, the Gospel, and the Quran.  Who could be more faithful to his promise than God?  So be happy with the bargain you have made: that is the supreme triumph. (9:111)

Now those who missed out on Badr, and wished to join the Muslim army, are staring death face-to-face in Uhud.  Their faith is about to undergo a very tough test.  God says in the next aya,

Muhammad is only a messenger before whom many messengers have come and gone.  If he died or was killed, would you revert to your old ways?  If anyone did so, he would not harm God in the least.  God will reward the grateful.  (3:143)