Quran Garden

Session 498

Chapter 3

Verses 168, 169, 170, and 171

As for those who stayed behind and said of their brothers, "If only they had listened to us, they would not have been killed," tell them, "Ward off death from yourselves if what you say is true." (Chapter 3: Verse 168)

When Ibn Ubay abandoned the Muslim army on the way to Uhud, some of the hypocrites followed him, while others marched on to defend the city.  A few of them were killed in battle.  When the hypocrites who deserted the army heard the news, they expressed joy!  They said: "If only they had listened to us, they would not have been killed," As if the death of their friends proved them right, so it was a reason to celebrate.  We understand from the phrase, "If only they had listened to us," that they encouraged people to abandon the army.  But those less mired in hypocrisy and who had the honor to defend their city didn't agree and went on to fight. 

"If only they had listened to us, they would not have been killed." How did Allah counter this?  Listen to the beautiful response: "Tell them, 'Ward off death from yourselves, if what you say is true.'" You seem to have cracked the code of life and death!  You have it all figured out, and that's great.  Now, prove your worth by stopping death from striking you.  "Ward off death from yourselves, if what you say is true" is the perfect ridicule of the hypocrites.   

Everyone, past, present, and future, will die, and none can stop it, even if they hide in the most secure location on earth.  God says in Aya 78 of chapter 4,

Death will overtake you no matter where you may be, even inside high, fortified towers.

We ask: How many fighters come back from horrendous wars unharmed?  How many soldiers deserted the army only to die from disease or a car accident?  More critically, remember that those killed in God's cause are dearer to Him than those spared from fighting.  The martyrs are the ones whom Allah loves and hastens to meet.  They are the lucky ones.

Let me explain.  You can correctly judge an event when you evaluate it in relation to your goal.  In other words, if an action brings you closer to your purpose, it is praiseworthy; everything else is a waste of your time.  Say, for example, you want to travel from Cairo to Damascus.  You prepare your car for the trip and load your luggage.  The plan is to spend about 20 hours on the road, including stops for food, bathrooms, and border crossings.  Then, a friend comes and says: "I was able to get us plane tickets instead.  We will be there in less than 2 hours." How would you feel?  Happy, of course.  Now, your trip is much easier as you will get to Damascus relaxed and a day ahead of schedule.  Should your family grieve for you?  No, because you achieved your goal sooner. 

If the purpose of life is to meet God and live by His side and in His grace, then death on the battlefield is a great victory.  It is the fastest and shortest path to the goal.  Isn't this better for the fighter or not?  Need more proof?  Listen to the next Aya in Al Imran.  God says,

Do not think at all of those killed in God's cause as dead.  Rather, they are alive, with their Lord, well provided for.  (Chapter 3: Verse 169)

On the day of Uhud, some fighters deserted the Muslim army and returned to Medina in fear of death.  Moreover, these hypocrites showered their friends with advice on how to stay alive.  How foolish of them!  Death will catch up to every person.  However, there is one way to cheat death, and it is through martyrdom on the battlefield.  God teaches us that a person killed on his path will instantly be transferred to enjoy the best of eternal life.  This is the critical difference between death and martyrdom.  A person martyred does not go through the period of death and grave like the rest of us; they are alive with their Lord under His grace and might.  Thus, you should not judge their state by your worldly law; in other words, if you were to open the grave of a marytar, there would be bones and scattered remains, and many consider it death.  But our standards are not the ones that count.  The only standards that matter are the Almighty's, who grants life and takes it away.  He says, "They are alive, with their Lord, well provided for."

We can learn more clues from the phrase "well provided for." When a person's soul departs the body, their life ends.  Everything is over, and they no longer benefit from provision or food because sustenance is meant to prolong life.  Thus, Allah highlights qualities confirming that the martyr is still alive.  He says, "They are alive, with their Lord, well provided for." Remember that life with the Lord is very different from life on earth.  You provide your family with whatever is within your means.  The martyrs are supplied with provisions suitable for power and means of the provider:  God almighty. 

Some people may object and say that provision and food are not enough.  You can, after all, take a person, lock them in a room, give them food and drink, and keep them alive for decades in a miserable existence.  Maybe the martyrs never die, but they are unhappy.  God answers in the next verse of Al Imran,

Rejoicing in what God has granted them out of His bounty, and joyful in the glad tidings for those left behind who have not yet joined them, that they will have no fear, nor will they grieve.  (Chapter 3: Verse 170)

Death is fair because it strikes everyone.  God shows His great favor when He hastens the end of earthly life for those He loves through martyrdom and then transfers them to His pleasure and blessings.  Here, we find that the beautiful brotherhood in faith remains intact.  Proper faith requires that you love for your brother and sister in faith what you love for yourself.  The martyrs with their Lord still hold this fantastic value and wish their earthly Muslims to join them soon in this infinite pleasure.  The martyrs' lives are thriving, filled with sustenance, blessings, and joy; thus, each says, "I wish others could see and join in what we have."

Ibn Abbas narrates that Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said: "When your brothers were martyred in the Battle of Uhud, God placed their souls in the bellies of green birds that roam the rivers of Paradise and eat from its fruits.  They take homes under golden lamps in the shade of the Throne.  When they found the goodness of their food, drink, and blessings, they said: 'If only our brothers knew what God has blessed us with, so that they would not hesitate in fighting for His cause or fear war.'  The Almighty replied to them:  I will deliver your message to your loved ones.  Then He revealed the verses: Do not think at all of those killed in God's cause as dead.  Rather, they are alive, with their Lord, well provided for.  Rejoicing in what God has granted them out of His bounty, and joyful in the glad tidings for those left behind who have not yet joined them, that they will have no fear, nor will they grieve."

The verse ends with, "that they will have no fear, nor will they grieve." Fear is worry about the future, and grief is sadness about the past.  Say, for example, that you loaned your friend some money.  You may fear not getting your money back in case your friend loses his job, refuses to pay, or dies in an accident.  If the time comes, and your friend does not pay you back, then your fear will turn into grief over the lost money.  However, when your reward is kept with God, these two emotions are never experienced.  Allah is the constant that does not change and the all-powerful that does not waver.  You are guaranteed the ultimate reward, and there will be no grieving about the past life.  We say to any fighter on God's path: do not be afraid because you will either be victorious or move on to a better life.  God says in the next Aya of Al Imran,

Joyful in blessing and bounty from God, and that Allah does not let the wage of the faithful go to waste.  

(Chapter 3: Verse 171)