Surah Ali 'Imran 3:155
سُورَةُ آلِ عِمۡرَانَ · Medinan · Verse 155 of 200
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ تَوَلَّوْا۟ مِنكُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْتَقَى ٱلْجَمْعَانِ إِنَّمَا ٱسْتَزَلَّهُمُ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنُ بِبَعْضِ مَا كَسَبُوا۟ ۖ وَلَقَدْ عَفَا ٱللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ حَلِيمٌۭ
Translation
As for those of you who turned away on the day the two armies met in battle, it was Satan who caused them to slip, through some of their actions. God has now pardoned them: God is most forgiving and forbearing.
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Qur'anic Worlds
This verse opens a window into a pivotal moment in the nascent Muslim community's history: the Battle of Uhud. It addresses those among the Companions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who, in the heat of battle, faltered and retreated. Allah, the Exalted, is speaking directly, first with a candid acknowledgement of their slip, and then with a profound declaration of His forgiveness. The tone is one of compassionate understanding, coupled with gentle correction, reminding us that even the best among us are human and can err, but Allah's mercy is vast.
The Uhud Ordeal
The verse transports us to the "World of Revelation," specifically to the aftermath of the Battle of Uhud. As al-Tabari and al-Razi recount, on that day, "when the two armies met" (يَوْمَ الْتَقَى الْجَمْعَانِ), many Muslims, believing victory was secured, abandoned their strategic positions on a hill, disobeying the Prophet's clear instructions. This lapse allowed the polytheists to regroup and launch a counter-attack, turning the tide of battle. The verse speaks of "those among you who turned their backs" (إِنَّ الَّذِينَ تَوَلَّوْا مِنْكُمْ), referring to these Companions who, in their human weakness, fled or scattered. As Mufti Shafi' and Ibn Kathir explain, their action, though serious, was primarily a slip, not a rejection of faith.
Satan's Subtle Influence
The Qur'an clarifies that "Satan only caused them to slip because of some of what they had earned" (إِنَّمَا اسْتَزَلَّهُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ بِبَعْضِ مَا كَسَبُوا). This phrase, as scholars like al-Razi and Sayyid Qutb interpret, means Satan capitalized on previous minor failings or weaknesses within their hearts, such as the desire for war-booty among the archers, or a momentary loss of resolve. Mufti Shafi' highlights a profound spiritual principle: one sin can make the path for another, just as one good deed paves the way for more good. Satan does not force; he exploits existing vulnerabilities, whispering temptations into a heart whose connection with Allah may have momentarily wavered. This shows that even devout believers can be susceptible to Satan's ploys if vigilance is lost.
The Embrace of Forgiveness
Despite the gravity of their actions in abandoning the Prophet on the battlefield, the verse immediately follows with the most comforting words: "And Allah has certainly pardoned them" (وَلَقَدْ عَفَا اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ). This declaration of divine forgiveness is powerful. Allah Himself affirms that He has overlooked their mistake, confirming the high status and unique affection He holds for the Companions, as emphasized by Mufti Shafi'. The verse concludes by stating, "Indeed, Allah is Forgiving, Forbearing" (إِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ حَلِيمٌ). He is *Ghafur*, always ready to forgive those who turn to Him in repentance, and *Halim*, patient and slow to punish, even when disobedience occurs. This divine quality of forbearance means Allah gives space for reflection and return, rather than immediate retribution. The experience of the Companions, as evidenced by `Uthman's later reliance on this verse when criticized (as noted by Ibn Kathir), teaches us that Allah's mercy is ever-present for those who strive, even when they stumble.
Sources: al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Baghawi (Maalim al-Tanzil), Ma'arif al-Quran (Mufti Shafi), Sayyid Qutb (Fi Zilal al-Quran), Ibn Kathir, al-Tabari (Jami al-Bayan)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Ali 'Imran 3:155 is discussed in 8 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Ali 'Imran 3:155 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.