Qur'an 3:173
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| Verse's Information | |
|---|---|
| Name | Verse of Tawakkul |
| Sura | Sura Al 'Imran |
| Verse | 173 |
| Juz' | 4 |
| Page | 73 |
| Content Information | |
| Cause of Revelation | Events of Hamra' al-Asad after the Battle of Uhud |
| Place of Revelation | Medina |
| Topic | Theological |
| About | Tawakkul (Reliance on God) |
| Related Verses | Qur'an 65:3 |
Qur'an 3:173, known as the Verse of Tawakkul (Arabic: آيَة ٱلتَّوَكُّل), is about remaining firm upon beliefs, seeking help from, and relying on God. This verse was revealed when hypocrites attempted to shake the believers' convictions with discouraging words. Upon hearing this news, Prophet Muhammad (s) marched out of Medina with a group of believers towards the army of Abu Sufyan in the region of Hamra' al-Asad to demonstrate the power of the believers. They chanted "Allah is sufficient for us, and He is an excellent trustee" (hasbuna Allah wa ni'ma al-wakil), showing that the believers'reliance is on God Almighty and they have no support other than Him.
Text and Translation
| “ | الَّذِينَ قَالَ لَهُمُ النَّاسُ إِنَّ النَّاسَ قَدْ جَمَعُوا لَكُمْ فَاخْشَوْهُمْ فَزَادَهُمْ إِيمَانًا وَقَالُوا حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ
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” |
| “ | Those to whom the people said, ‘All the people have gathered against you; so fear them.’ That only increased them in faith, and they said, ‘Allah is sufficient for us, and He is an excellent trustee..
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| — Qur'an 3:173 | ||
Cause of Revelation
After the Battle of Uhud, Abu Sufyan and his companions returned to Mecca. However, when they reached the land of Rawha they regretted their action and decided to return to Medina to destroy the remaining Muslims. This news reached the Prophet (s) and he immediately decided to show the enemy his power and capability. He encouraged his companions to leave Medina, stating that only those who were with us in the Battle of Uhud should exit Medina to participate in another battle. The Prophet (s) then left Medina with a group of Muslims until they reached a place called Hamra' al-Asad and camped there. This news reached the army of Quraysh, and God, casting terror into the hearts of the polytheists, caused them to return to Mecca after which this verse was revealed to the Prophet.[1]
Story of the Verse
When Abu Sufyan decided to return from Uhud to Mecca, he told the Prophet (s) that if he (s) wished, they would meet again next year in the season of Badr. The Prophet (s) said, "Insha'Allah" (God willing). The following year, Abu Sufyan moved with the people of Mecca towards the meeting place with the Prophet (s) and stopped near Zahran. God Almighty cast fear into his heart, and he decided to return. At this time, he met Nu'aym b. Mas'ud al-Ashja'i, who had gone for Umra, and promised him ten camels in exchange for dissuading the Muslims from the war.[2]
When Nu'aym entered Medina, he saw the Muslims preparing for war and said their decision was wrong, claiming none of them would remain alive. At this moment, the Prophet (s) said: "By God, even if I am alone, I will go to the battlefield. Whoever is now afraid, let him stay, and whoever is brave, let him prepare for war." Finally, the Prophet (s), along with seventy riders, left Medina chanting "Allah is sufficient for us, and He is an excellent trustee" and reached the region of Badr. For eight days they waited there for Abu Sufyan. During this time, they sold their trade goods with profit and returned to Medina without any conflict with the polytheists. Abu Sufyan also returned to Mecca. The people of Mecca named his army the "Army of Sawiq" (flour meal), mocking them by saying, "You only went out to drink Sawiq."[3]
Meaning of Words
- al-Nas (first occurrence): Refers to Nu'aym b. Mas'ud, as he was of the same genus as the people, and by scaring them perhaps some joined him in his sentiment.
- al-Nas (second occurrence): Refers to Abu Sufyan and his companions.
- Hasbuna Allah: Means God is sufficient for us. "Ahsabahu al-shay" means when something suffices him.
- Ni'ma al-Wakil: Means God is the best Lord upon whom one relies (Tawakkul).[4]
Implication for Tawakkul
The phrase "Hasbuna Allah" means God is sufficient for us. The root H-S-B is derived from calculation (hisab), and our sufficiency is by faith, not by external causes. The word "Wakil" in the phrase "Ni'ma al-Wakil" means someone who manages a person's affairs on their behalf. Therefore, the content of the verse returns to the meaning of Verse 3 of Sura al-Talaq, which says: "And whoever relies upon Allah - then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose."[5]
Also, this verse informs the believers that they must be firm and steadfast in their beliefs so that they are not shaken by the intimidation of the hypocrites, and with full strength of heart and reliance on God Almighty, they should carry out divine commands.[6]
In this regard, Imam al-Sadiq (a) says: "Verily, the believer is harder than a piece of iron; because when a piece of iron enters the fire, it changes, but verily if a believer is killed and then revived, his heart does not change."[7]
Related Verses
The word "Tawakkul" and its derivatives appear 70 times in the Holy Quran in 29 suras and 61 verses, which include:
| Derivative | Count | Sura | Verse |
|---|---|---|---|
| al-Mutawakkilun | 3 | 3 | Yusuf: 67 - Ibrahim: 12 - al-Zumar: 38 |
| al-Mutawakkilin | 1 | 1 | Al-Imran: 159 |
| al-Wakil | 1 | 1 | Al-Imran: 173 |
| bi-Wakil | 5 | 4 | Al-An'am: 66, 107 - Yunus: 108 - al-Zumar: 41 - al-Shura: 6 |
| Tawakkal | 7 | 6 | Al-Nisa: 81 - Al-Anfal: 61 - Hud: 123 - Al-Furqan: 58 - Al-Shu'ara: 217 - Al-Ahzab: 3, 48 |
| Tawakkaltu | 7 | 6 | Al-Tawba: 129 - Yunus: 71 - Hud: 53, 88 - Yusuf: 67 - Al-Ra'd: 30 - Al-Shura: 10 |
| Tawakkalna | 4 | 4 | Al-A'raf: 89 - Yunus: 85 - Al-Mumtahana: 4 - Al-Mulk: 29 |
| Tawakkalu | 1 | 1 | Yunus: 84 |
| fa-Tawakkal | 2 | 2 | Al-Imran: 159 - Al-Naml: 79 |
| fa-Tawakkalu | 1 | 1 | Al-Ma'ida: 23 |
| fal-yatawakkal | 9 | 7 | Al-Imran: 122, 160 - Al-Ma'ida: 11 - Al-Tawba: 51 - Yusuf: 67 - Ibrahim: 11, 12 - Al-Mujadila: 10 - Al-Taghabun: 13 |
| Natawakkal | 1 | 1 | Ibrahim: 12 |
| Wukkila | 1 | 1 | Al-Sajda: 11 |
| Wakkalna | 1 | 1 | Al-An'am: 89 |
| Wakil | 5 | 5 | Al-An'am: 102 - Hud: 12 - Yusuf: 66 - Al-Qasas: 28 - Al-Zumar: 62 |
| Wakila | 13 | 5 | Al-Nisa: 81, 109, 132, 171 - Al-Isra: 2, 54, 65, 68, 86 - Al-Furqan: 43 - Al-Ahzab: 3, 48 - Al-Muzzammil: 9 |
| Mutawakkilun | 1 | 1 | Al-Zumar: 38 |
| Yatawakkal | 3 | 3 | Al-Anfal: 49 - Al-Talaq: 3 - Al-Zumar: 38 |
| Yatawakkalun | 5 | 4 | Al-Anfal: 2 - Al-Nahl: 42, 99 - Al-Ankabut: 59 - Al-Shura: 36 |
See Also
Notes
- ↑ Ṭabrasī, Tarjuma-yi Tafsīr-i Jawāmi' al-jāmi', vol. 1, p. 521.
- ↑ Ṭabrasī, Tarjuma-yi Tafsir-i Jawami' al-jami', vol. 1, p. 521.
- ↑ Ṭabrasī, Tarjuma-yi Tafsīr-i Jawāmi' al-jāmi', vol. 1, p. 522.
- ↑ Ṭabrasī, Tarjuma-yi Tafsīr-i Jawāmi' al-jāmi', vol. 1, p. 523.
- ↑ Ṭabāṭabāʾī, Tarjuma-yi Tafsīr-i al-Mīzān, vol. 4, p. 100.
- ↑ Ḥusaynī Shāh-'Abd al-'Aẓīmī, Tafsīr-i ithnā-'asharī, vol. 2, p. 304.
- ↑ Majlisī, Biḥār al-anwār, vol. 67, p. 178.
References
- Ḥusaynī Shāh-'Abd al-'Aẓīmī, Ḥusayn b. Aḥmad. Tafsīr-i ithnā-'asharī. Tehran, Mīqāt, 1363 Sh.
- Majlisī, Muḥammad Bāqir. Biḥār al-anwār. Edited by Sayyid Ibrāhīm Miyānjī and Muḥammad Bāqir Bihbūdī. Beirut, Dār Iḥyāʾ al-Turāth, 1403 AH.
- Ṭabāṭabāʾī, Muḥammad Ḥusayn. Tarjuma-yi Tafsīr-i al-Mīzān. Translated by Sayyid Muḥammad Bāqir Hamadānī. Qom, Daftar-i Intishārāt-i Islāmī-yi Jāmi'a-yi Mudarrisīn-i Ḥawza-yi 'Ilmiyya-yi Qom, 1374 Sh.
- Ṭabrasī, Faḍl b. Ḥasan. Tarjuma-yi Tafsīr-i Jawāmi' al-jāmi'. Translated by a group of translators. Tehran, Intishārāt-i Dānishgāh-i Tihrān wa Ḥawza-yi 'Ilmiyya-yi Qom, 1377 Sh.