Quran Garden

Session 487

Chapter 3

Verse 159

It was by some mercy of God that you were gentle with them.  If you had been rough or hard of heart, they would have scattered from around you.  So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them, and consult with them about the matter.  Then when you have reached a firm decision, put your trust in God.  God loves those who put their trust in Him.

(Chapter 3: Verse 159)

This verse starts with an informative statement: "It was by some mercy of God that you were gentle with them." As if God wants to say: 'Your kind nature, O Muhammad, is suited to the task demanded from you.  They disobeyed you in Uhud and did not respond when you called: 'Return to me, O Servants of Allah, Return to me, O Servants of Allah!  I am the Messenger of God!'  Their actions could have deeply angered you, but your gentle nature does not allow room for resentment; rather, it is filled with mercy.'

Allah wanted to comfort our beloved Muhammad and fill his heart with love towards the companions who caused him sorrow, so He said: 'Do not resent them for their actions in Uhud, because you are gentle by your very nature; do not let such events to derail your compassion."

When you return from a great vacation, you may say to your friends: "That was some trip we took together!" meaning it was such a fantastic trip that you could not find the words to describe it.  Likewise, "It was by some mercy of God" means that God's mercy that instilled compassion in the heart of our beloved Muhammad is beyond comprehension.  It is a mercy befitting the Messenger's mission to his nation; thus, it was the proper action for Muhammad, peace be upon him, to "pardon them and ask forgiveness for them, and consult with them about the matter."

This verse came addressing the events of the day of Uhud.  There were several troubling issues that the Prophet faced from his people.  We explained how the Prophet, peace be upon him, was of the opinion to stay in Medina and defend the city from the invading army of Quraysh.  But when he consulted the companions, some who missed out on the honor of fighting in Badr insisted on meeting the enemy on the battlefield.  God's Messenger reluctantly agreed and began to prepare to march.  At that point, these companions realized that perhaps they pressured the Messenger too much against his wishes.  They approached him again to reconsider: "We compelled you, O Messenger of God.  We should not have done that.  Please stay in the city and do as you see fit."  Muhammad, peace be upon him, replied, "It does not befit any Prophet of God who has put on his armor to put it down until he fights."

Another troubling issue arose when, on the way to Mount Uhud, Ibn Ubay deserted with a third of the army.  The third issue happened when many archers disobeyed the Prophet and left their battle positions.  He, peace be upon him, had told Abdullah bin Jubayr, the commander of the archers, "Watch our backs, and fend off the calvary with your arrows lest they encircle us.  No matter how the battle goes, do not leave your posts." The fourth issue was when many companions fled the battlefield after a rumor spread that Prophet Muhammad was killed.  Lastly, even when he, peace be upon him, was calling them to return –negating the fact that he was killed- they kept on running. 

All these terrible events could have left traces of anger and resentment in the Prophet's heart.  But the compassion God imprinted in him was bigger.  His love was strong enough to withstand any flaws and mishaps from his followers.  Muhammad was not sent to infallible angels but to erring human beings who are in a constant state of change by their very nature.  Thus, if they are on the path today, they may veer off tomorrow.  But he, peace be upon him, was built on mercy and had asked God many times for blessings and guidance for his people, even those who did not embrace Islam.  Take the example of the events of Tai'f.  After the Messenger was chased out of Tai'f and bloodied by stone-hurling kids, God sent the Archangel Gabriel, who said: "Allah heard the words of your people and saw how they responded to your call.  Here is the angel in charge of mountains; you can command him however you wish." Then the angel of mountains called out to the Prophet, saluted him, and said: "O Muhammad, Allah has sent me to you.  If you wish, I can take these two mountains and crush these people underneath!" He, peace be upon him, responded, "No.  Let them be.  I hope that God would bring forth from their offsprings people who worship Him alone and associate nothing with Him."  God says,

It was by some mercy of God that you were gentle with them.

And in another chapter,

We have not sent you but as an unequaled mercy for all the worlds. (21:107)

It was this mercy that gathered people around our beloved Muhammad.  They admired his genteelness, abundant humility, implacable manners, comforting smile, and appreciation of each and every one of them, so much so that when anyone shook his hand, he would not withdraw until they did.  All this mercy allowed Muhammad to rise above any faults from his people.  He, peace be upon him, is our teacher and role model.  God says,

Indeed, you have in God's Messenger an excellent example to follow for whoever looks forward to God and the Last Day, and remembers and mentions God much.  (33:21)