إِن يَمْسَسْكُمْ قَرْحٌ فَقَدْ مَسَّ الْقَوْمَ قَرْحٌ مِّثْلُهُ وَتِلْكَ الأيَّامُ نُدَاوِلُهَا بَيْنَ النَّاسِ وَلِيَعْلَمَ اللّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ وَيَتَّخِذَ مِنكُمْ شُهَدَاء وَاللّهُ لاَ يُحِبُّ الظَّالِمِينَ {140}

140. " If a wound touches you, because a wound similar to it has also touched the (disbelieving) people, and such days We deal out in turn among mankind; and that Allah may recognize (by trial) those who have believed and take witnesses from among you; and Allah does not love the unjust."

Commentary:

This verse, in the form of consoling the Muslims, states a fact. The fact is that if they had born some losses and damages for the sake of right and along the path of a divine goal and a clear bright future, their enemies had also had some killed and wounded figures. If they did not win the victory in the Battle of 'Uhud that day, their enemies had also been defeated in the Battle of Badr before that day. Therefore, it is necessary for them to be patient in the divine trials.

Explanations:

1. You Muslims should not be less than the disbelievers from the point of patience and perseverance.

"If a wound touches you, because a wound similar to it has also touched the (disbelieving) people ..."

2. The sweet and bitter accidents are not durable.

"... and such days We deal out in turn among mankind..."

3. The faithful people are recognized from those who only claim Faith in fighting and in the ascents and descents of life.

"... and that Allah may recognize (by trial) those who have believed ..."

4. In the bitter experience of 'Uhud, the Lord took witnesses from your own that how the disobedience from the commander ended to a bitter failure.

"..and take witnesses from among you... "

5. The temporary victory of the disbelievers is not the sign of the love of Allah to them.

"... and Allah does not love the unjust."

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وَلِيُمَحِّصَ اللّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ وَيَمْحَقَ الْكَافِرِينَ {141}

141. "And that Allah may purge those who believe and wipe out the disbelievers."

Commentary:

The Arabic word /tamhis/ means to purify from any vice and defect, and the word /mahq/ in Arabic means to decrease gradually.

Maybe, in the defeat of 'Uhud, Allah wished to show the weak points of Muslims to them so that they would think of improving themselves and decide to recompense their shortcomings in order that they might be necessarily prepared for the later acts.

Sometimes the instructive failures are more convenient than the victories that cause negligence.

"And that Allah may purge those who believe and wipe out the disbelievers."

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أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَن تَدْخُلُواْ الْجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَعْلَمِ اللّهُ الَّذِينَ جَاهَدُواْ مِنكُمْ وَيَعْلَمَ الصَّابِرِينَ {142}

142. "Or have you imagined that you will enter Paradise and that Allah does not yet know those among you who strived nor He knows the patient ones?"

Commentary:

In this verse it refers to the holy struggle, patience and perseverance of the believers, because the way to Heaven is through patience and Holy War. The Qur'an, addressing those who enter the Heaven, says: "Peace be on you for that you persevered in patience! ..." [50] In this statement there is a narrow sense. It does not say: Peace be on you for the performance of Hajj or fasting or paying alms, because accomplishment of any duty needs patience and perseverance.

"Or have you imagined that you will enter Paradise and that Allah does not yet know those among you who strived nor He knows the patient ones?"

Explanation:

1. Bare Faith is not enough, effort and action is also necessary. Yes, Heaven is in the pledge of good deeds.

2. The key to Heaven is patience and Holy war. (Patience in sorrows and happiness, in sins, in obedience, and, finally, in the greater warfare and the lesser warfare)

3. Patience and perseverance in the Holy war is necessary, because the first onset of war, its continuation, and the sad effects that come forth after war, all in all, need patience and constancy.

4. Leave your vain imaginations and false expectations.

"Or have you imagined ..."

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[50] Sura Ar-Ra'd, No 13, verse 24