The Family of Imran, The House of Imran — Verse 171

Virtues of the Martyrs Allah states that even though the martyrs were killed in this life, their souls are alive and receiving provisions in the Dwelling of Everlasting Life. In his Sahih, Muslim recorded that Masruq said, "We asked `Abdullah about this Ayah, وَلاَ تَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ قُتِلُواْ فِى سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أَمْوَتاً بَلْ أَحْيَاءٌ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ يُرْزَقُونَ (Think not of those as dead who are killed in the way of Allah. Nay, they are alive, with their Lord, and they have provision.) He said, `We asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ the same question and he said, «أَرْوَاحُهُمْ فِي جَوْفِ طَيْرٍ خُضْرٍ، لَهَا قَنَادِيلُ مُعَلَّقَةٌ بِالْعَرْشِ، تَسْرَحُ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ حَيْثُ شَاءَتْ، ثُمَّ تَأْوِي إِلَى تِلْكَ الْقَنَادِيلِ، فَاطَّلَعَ إِلَيْهِمْ رَبُّهُمُ اطِّلَاعَةً فَقَالَ: هَلْ تَشْتَهُونَ شَيْئًا؟ فَقَالُوا: أَيَّ شَيْءٍ نَشْتَهِي وَنَحْنُ نَسْرَحُ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ حَيْثُ شِئْنَا؟ فَفَعَلَ ذَلِكَ بِهِمْ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ، فَلَمَّا رَأَوْا أَنَّهُمْ لَنْ يُتْرَكُوا مِنْ أَنْ يُسْأَلُوا، قَالُوا: يَا رَبِّ نُرِيدُ أَنْ تَرُدَّ أَرْوَاحَنَا فِي أَجْسَادِنَا حَتَّى نُقْتَلَ فِي سَبِيلِكَ مَرَّةً أُخْرَى، فَلَمَّا رَأَى أَنْ لَيْسَ لَهُمْ حَاجَةٌ، تُرِكُوا» (Their souls are inside green birds that have lamps, which are hanging below the Throne (of Allah), and they wander about in Paradise wherever they wish. Then they return to those lamps. Allah looks at them and says, `Do you wish for anything' They say, `What more could we wish for, while we go wherever we wish in Paradise' Allah asked them this question thrice, and when they realize that He will keep asking them until they give an answer, they say, `O Lord! We wish that our souls be returned to our bodies so that we are killed in Your cause again.' Allah knew that they did not have any other wish, so they were left.)"' There are several other similar narrations from Anas and Abu Sa`id. Imam Ahmad recorded that Anas said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, «مَا مِنْ نَفْسٍ تَمُوتُ، لَهَا عِنْدَ اللهِ خَيْرٌ، يَسُرُّهَا أَنْ تَرْجِعَ إِلَى الدُّنْيَا، إِلَّا الشَّهِيدُ، فَإِنَّهُ يَسُرُّهُ أَنْ يَرْجِعَ إِلَى الدُّنْيَا فَيُقْتَلَ مَرَّةً أُخْرَى، لِمَا يَرَى مِنْ فَضْلِ الشَهَادَة» (No soul that has a good standing with Allah and dies would wish to go back to the life of this world, except for the martyr. He would like to be returned to this life so that he could be martyred again, for he tastes the honor achieved from martyrdom.) Muslim collected this Hadith In addition, Imam Ahmad recorded that, Ibn `Abbas said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, «لَمَّا أُصِيبَ إِخْوَانُكُمْ بِأُحُدٍ، جَعَلَ اللهُ أَرْوَاحَهُمْ فِي أَجْوَافِ طَيْرٍ خُضْرٍ، تَرِدُ أَنْهَارَ الْجَنَّـةِ، وَتَأْكُلُ مِنْ ثِمَارِهَا، وَتَأْوِي إِلى قَنَادِيلَ مِنْ ذَهَبٍ فِي ظِلِّ الْعَرْشِ، فَلَمَّا وَجَدُوا طِيبَ مَشْرَبِهِمْ وَمَأْكَلِهِمْ، وَحُسْنَ مُتَقَلَّبِهِمْ قَالُوا: يَا لَيْتَ إِخْوَانَنَا يَعْلَمُونَ مَا صَنَعَ اللهُ لَنَا، لِئَلَّا يَزْهَدُوا فِي الْجِهَادِ، وَلَا يَنْكُلُوا عَنِ الْحَرْبِ، فَقَالَ اللهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ: أَنْا أُبَلِّغُهُمْ عَنْكُم» (When your brothers were killed in Uhud, Allah placed their souls inside green birds that tend to the rivers of Paradise and eat from its fruits. They then return to golden lamps hanging in the shade of the Throne. When they tasted the delight of their food, drink and dwelling, they said, `We wish that our brothers knew what Allah gave us so that they will not abandon Jihad or warfare.' Allah said, `I will convey the news for you.') Allah revealed these and the following Ayat, وَلاَ تَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ قُتِلُواْ فِى سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أَمْوَتاً بَلْ أَحْيَاءٌ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ يُرْزَقُونَ (Think not of those as dead who are killed in the way of Allah. Nay, they are alive, with their Lord, and they have provision.) Qatadah, Ar-Rabi` and Ad-Dahhak said that these Ayat were revealed about the martyrs of Uhud. Abu Bakr Ibn Marduwyah recorded that Jabir bin `Abdullah said, "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ looked at me one day and said, `O Jabir! Why do I see you sad' I said, `O Messenger of Allah! My father was martyred and left behind debts and children.' He said, «أَلَا أُخْبِرُكَ؟ مَا كَلَّمَ اللهُ أَحَدًا قَطُّ إِلَّا مِنْ وَرَاءِ حِجَابٍ، وَإِنَّه كَلَّمَ أَبَاكَ كِفَاحًا» ، قال علي: الكفاح: المواجهة «قَالَ: سَلْنِي أُعْطِكَ. قَالَ: أَسْأَلُكَ أَنْ أُرَدَّ إِلَى الدُّنْيَا فَأُقْتَلَ فِيكَ ثَانِيَةً، فَقَالَ الرَّبُّ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ: إِنَّهُ قَدْ سَبَقَ مِنِّي الْقَوْلُ: إِنَّهُمْ إِلَيْهَا لَا يَرْجِعُونَ. قَالَ: أَيْ رَبِّ فَأَبْلِغْ مَنْ وَرَائِي» (Should I tell you that Allah never spoke to anyone except from behind a veil However, He spoke to your father directly. He said, `Ask Me and I will give you.' He said, `I ask that I am returned to life so that I am killed in Your cause again.' The Lord, Exalted He be, said, `I have spoken the word that they shall not be returned back to it (this life). ' He said, `O Lord! Then convey the news to those I left behind.') Allah revealed, وَلاَ تَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ قُتِلُواْ فِى سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أَمْوَتاً (Think not of those as dead who are killed in the way of Allah...)" Imam Ahmad recorded that Ibn `Abbas said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, «الشُّهَدَاءُ عَلى بَارِقِ نَهْرٍ بِبَابِ الْجَنَّـةِ، فِي قُبَّةٍ خَضْرَاءَ، يَخْرُجُ عَلَيْهِمْ رِزْقُهُمْ مِنَ الْجَنَّـةِ بُكْرَةً وَعَشِيًّا» (The martyrs convene at the shore of a river close to the door of Paradise, in a green tent, where their provisions are brought to them from Paradise day and night.) Ahmad and Ibn Jarir collected this Hadith, which has a good chain of narration. It appears that the martyrs are of different types, some of them wander in Paradise, and some remain close to this river by the door of Paradise. It is also possible that the river is where all the souls of the martyrs convene and where they are provided with their provision day and night, and Allah knows best. UImam Ahmad narrated a Hadith that contains good news for every believer that his soul will be wandering in Paradise, as well, eating from its fruits, enjoying its delights and happiness and tasting the honor that Allah has prepared in it for him. This Hadith has a unique, authentic chain of narration that includes three of the Four Imams. Imam Ahmad narrated this Hadith from Muhammad bin Idris Ash-Shafi`i who narrated it from Malik bin Anas Al-Asbuhi, from Az-Zuhri, from `Abdur-Rahman bin Ka`b bin Malik that his father said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, «نَسَمَةُ الْمُؤْمِنِ طَائِرٌ يَعْلُقُ فِي شَجَرِ الْجَنَّـةِ حَتَّى يَرْجِعَهُ اللهُ إِلى جَسَدِهِ يَوْمَ يَبْعَثُه» (The soul of the believer becomes a bird that feeds on the trees of Paradise, until Allah sends him back to his body when He resurrects him.) This Hadith states that the souls of the believers are in the shape of a bird in Paradise. As for the souls of martyrs, they are inside green birds, like the stars to the rest of the believing souls. We ask Allah the Most Generous that He makes us firm on the faith. Allah's statement, فَرِحِينَ بِمَآ ءَاتَـهُمُ اللَّهُ (They rejoice in what Allah has bestowed upon them) indicates that the martyrs who were killed in Allah's cause are alive with Allah, delighted because of the bounty and happiness they are enjoying. They are also awaiting their brethren, who will die in Allah's cause after them, for they will be meeting them soon. These martyrs do not have fear about the future or sorrow for what they left behind. We ask Allah to grant us Paradise. The Two Sahihs record from Anas, the story of the seventy Ansar Companions who were murdered at Bir Ma`unah in one night. In this Hadith, Anas reported that the Prophet used to supplicate to Allah in Qunut in prayer against those who killed them. Anas said, "A part of the Qur'an was revealed about them, but was later abrogated, `Convey to our people that we met Allah and He was pleased with us and made us pleased."' Allah said next, يَسْتَبْشِرُونَ بِنِعْمَةٍ مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَفَضْلٍ وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يُضِيعُ أَجْرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (They rejoice in a grace and a bounty from Allah, and that Allah will not waste the reward of the believers) 3:171. Muhammad bin Ishaq commented, "They were delighted and pleased because of Allah's promise that was fulfilled for them, and for the tremendous rewards they earned." `Abdur-Rahman bin Zayd bin Aslam said, "This Ayah encompasses all the believers, martyrs and otherwise. Rarely does Allah mention a bounty and a reward that He granted to the Prophets, without following that with what He has granted the believers after them." The Battle of Hamra' Al-Asad Allah said, الَّذِينَ اسْتَجَابُواْ لِلَّهِ وَالرَّسُولِ مِن بَعْدِ مَآ أَصَـبَهُمُ الْقَرْحُ (Those who answered (the Call of) Allah and the Messenger after being wounded) 3:172. This occurred on the day of Hamra' Al-Asad. After the idolators defeated the Muslims (at Uhud), they started on their way back home, but soon they were concerned because they did not finish off the Muslims in Al-Madinah, so they set out to make that battle the final one. When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ got news of this, he commanded the Muslims to march to meet the disbelievers, to bring fear to their hearts and to demonstrate that the Muslims still had strength to fight. The Prophet only allowed those who were present during Uhud to accompany him, except for Jabir bin `Abdullah Al-Ansari, as we will mention. The Muslims mobilized, even though they were still suffering from their injuries, in obedience to Allah and His Messenger . Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that `Ikrimah said, "When the idolators returned towards Makkah after Uhud, they said, `You neither killed Muhammad nor collected female captives. Woe to you for what you did. Let us go back.' When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ heard this news, he mobilized the Muslim forces, and they marched until they reached Hamra Al-Asad. The idolators said, `Rather, we will meet next year', and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ went back to Al-Madinah, and this was considered a Ghazwah (battle). Allah sent down, الَّذِينَ اسْتَجَابُواْ لِلَّهِ وَالرَّسُولِ مِن بَعْدِ مَآ أَصَـبَهُمُ الْقَرْحُ لِلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُواْ مِنْهُمْ وَاتَّقَوْاْ أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ (Those who answered (the Call of) Allah and the Messenger after being wounded; for those of them who did good deeds and feared Allah, there is a great reward.) Al-Bukhari recorded that `A'ishah said to `Urwah about the Ayah; الَّذِينَ اسْتَجَابُواْ لِلَّهِ وَالرَّسُولِ (Those who answered (the Call of) Allah and the Messenger) "My nephew! Your fathers Az-Zubayr and Abu Bakr were among them. After the Prophet suffered the calamity at Uhud and the idolators went back, he feared that the idolators might try to come back and he said, `Who would follow them' Seventy men, including Az-Zubayr and Abu Bakr, volunteered." This was recorded by Al-Bukhari alone. As for Allah's statement, الَّذِينَ قَالَ لَهُمُ النَّاسُ إِنَّ النَّاسَ قَدْ جَمَعُواْ لَكُمْ فَاخْشَوْهُمْ فَزَادَهُمْ إِيمَـناً (Those unto whom the people said, "Verily, the people have gathered against you, therefore, fear them." But it (only) increased them in faith) 3:173, it means, those who threatened the people, saying that the disbelievers have amassed against them, in order to instill fear in them, but this did not worry them, rather, they trusted in Allah and sought His help, وَقَالُواْ حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ (and they said: "Allah is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs.") Al-Bukhari recorded that Ibn `Abbas said, حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ ("Allah Alone is Sufficient for us and He is the Best Disposer of affairs for us.") "Ibrahim said it when he was thrown in fire. Muhammad said it when the people said, `Verily, the people have gathered against you, therefore, fear them.' But it only increased them in faith, and they said, `Allah is Sufficient for us and He is the Best Disposer of affairs for us."' Abu Bakr Ibn Marduwyah recorded that Anas bin Malik said that the Prophet was told on the day of Uhud, "Verily, the people have gathered against you, therefore, fear them." Thereafter, Allah sent down this Ayah 3:173. This is why Allah said, فَانْقَلَبُواْ بِنِعْمَةٍ مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَفَضْلٍ لَّمْ يَمْسَسْهُمْ سُوءٌ (So they returned with grace and bounty from Allah. No harm touched them;) for when they relied on Allah, Allah took care of their worries, He confounded the plots of their enemies, and the Muslims returned to their land, بِنِعْمَةٍ مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَفَضْلٍ لَّمْ يَمْسَسْهُمْ سُوءٌ (with grace and bounty from Allah. No harm touched them;) safe from the wicked plots of their enemies, وَاتَّبَعُواْ رِضْوَنَ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ ذُو فَضْلٍ عَظِيمٍ (and they followed the pleasure of Allah. And Allah is the Owner of great bounty.) Al-Bayhaqi recorded that Ibn `Abbas said about Allah's statement, فَانْقَلَبُواْ بِنِعْمَةٍ مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَفَضْلٍ (So they returned with grace and bounty from Allah,) "The `Grace' was that they were saved. The `Bounty' was that a caravan passed by, and those days were Hajj season days. Thus the Messenger of Allah ﷺ bought and sold and made a profit, which he divided between his Companions." Allah then said, إِنَّمَا ذَلِكُمُ الشَّيْطَـنُ يُخَوِّفُ أَوْلِيَاءَهُ (It is only Shaytan that suggests to you the fear of his friends,) 3:175 meaning, Shaytan threatens you with his friends and tries to pretend they are powerful and fearsome. Allah said next, فَلاَ تَخَافُوهُمْ وَخَافُونِ إِن كُنتُمْ مُّؤْمِنِينَ (so fear them not, but fear Me, if you are indeed believers.) meaning, "If Shaytan brings these thoughts to you, then depend on Me and seek refuge with Me. Indeed, I shall suffice you and make you prevail over them." Similarly, Allah said, أَلَيْسَ اللَّهُ بِكَافٍ عَبْدَهُ وَيُخَوِّفُونَكَ بِالَّذِينَ مِن دُونِهِ (Is not Allah Sufficient for His servant Yet they try to frighten you with those besides Him!) 39: 36, until, قُلْ حَسْبِىَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ يَتَوَكَّـلُ الْمُتَوَكِّلُونَ (Say: "Sufficient for me is Allah; in Him those who trust must put their trust.") 39:38. Allah said, فَقَـتِلُواْ أَوْلِيَاءَ الشَّيْطَـنِ إِنَّ كَيْدَ الشَّيْطَـنِ كَانَ ضَعِيفاً (So fight you against the friends of Shaytan; ever feeble indeed is the plot of Shaytan.) 4:76 and أُوْلَـئِكَ حِزْبُ الشَّيْطَـنِ أَلاَ إِنَّ حِزْبَ الشَّيْطَـنِ هُمُ الخَـسِرُونَ (They are the party of Shaytan. Verily, it is the party of Shaytan that will be the losers!) 58:19, كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لاّغْلِبَنَّ أَنَاْ وَرُسُلِى إِنَّ اللَّهَ قَوِىٌّ عَزِيزٌ (Allah has decreed: "Verily, it is I and My Messengers who shall be the victorious." Verily, Allah is All-Powerful, All-Mighty.) 58:21 and وَلَيَنصُرَنَّ اللَّهُ مَن يَنصُرُهُ (Verily, Allah will help those who help His (cause).) 22:40 and يأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ إِن تَنصُرُواْ اللَّهَ يَنصُرْكُمْ (O you who believe! If you help (in the cause of) Allah, He will help you) 47:7, and, إِنَّا لَنَنصُرُ رُسُلَنَا وَالَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ فِى الْحَيَوةِ الدُّنْيَا وَيَوْمَ يَقُومُ الاٌّشْهَـدُ - يَوْمَ لاَ يَنفَعُ الظَّـلِمِينَ مَعْذِرَتُهُمْ وَلَهُمُ الْلَّعْنَةُ وَلَهُمْ سُوءُ الدَّارِ (Verily, We will indeed make victorious Our Messengers and those who believe, in this world's life and on the Day when the witnesses will stand forth. The Day when their excuses will be of no profit to wrongdoers. Theirs will be the curse, and theirs will be the evil abode.) 40:51,52

Joyful in grace in the reward and bounty in addition to it from God and that read wa-anna as a supplement to ni‘matin or wa-inna to denote a new clause God does not let the wage of believers go to waste but rewards them.

They rejoice in blessings from God and bounty, and that God does not leave to waste the wage of the faithful, those who answered God and the Messenger after the wound had befallen them. Those who bow their heads before the command of God and the Messenger in passion for the religion made their own dear spirits the target of the enemy's arrows. They made their spirits a gift, their bodies a path, and their hearts a sacrifice. They bought that suffering and wounding with spirit and heart. Sarī SaqaṬī said, “God appeared to me in a dream saying, 'O Sarī! We created the creatures. Some of them saw this world and clung to it. Some of them saw trial, and they fled to paradise and well-being. Some of them thought nothing of trial and took the tribulation into their spirits and hearts, asking for union with Us. Which one of these are you? What do you want?'” Sarī said, “I answered, 'You know what I desire.'” How often will you ask, why do you make me suffer? In truth you know my state better than I. “He said, 'O Sarī! By the majesty of Our measure, We will strike your head with the whip of trial, and We will make the millstone of tribulation revolve on your head.'” Sarī said, “I replied with the light of recognition by lordly inspiration, 'Are You not the one who sends trials?'” The lover's soul is patient with illness- perhaps He who made him ill will one day make him well. * Since the healing, O Heart-taker, is from Your wound and pain, make no balm for the wounded, don't cure the pain!

They rejoice in blessings from God and bounty, and that God does not leave to waste the wage of the faithful, those who answered God and the Messenger after the wound had befallen them. Those who bow their heads before the command of God and the Messenger in passion for the religion made their own dear spirits the target of the enemy's arrows. They made their spirits a gift, their bodies a path, and their hearts a sacrifice. They bought that suffering and wounding with spirit and heart. Sarī SaqaṬī said, “God appeared to me in a dream saying, 'O Sarī! We created the creatures. Some of them saw this world and clung to it. Some of them saw trial, and they fled to paradise and well-being. Some of them thought nothing of trial and took the tribulation into their spirits and hearts, asking for union with Us. Which one of these are you? What do you want?'” Sarī said, “I answered, 'You know what I desire.'” How often will you ask, why do you make me suffer? In truth you know my state better than I. “He said, 'O Sarī! By the majesty of Our measure, We will strike your head with the whip of trial, and We will make the millstone of tribulation revolve on your head.'” Sarī said, “I replied with the light of recognition by lordly inspiration, 'Are You not the one who sends trials?'” The lover's soul is patient with illness- perhaps He who made him ill will one day make him well. * Since the healing, O Heart-taker, is from Your wound and pain, make no balm for the wounded, don't cure the pain!

They rejoice in blessings from God and bounty, and that God does not leave to waste the wage of the faithful, those who answered God and the Messenger after the wound had befallen them. Those who bow their heads before the command of God and the Messenger in passion for the religion made their own dear spirits the target of the enemy's arrows. They made their spirits a gift, their bodies a path, and their hearts a sacrifice. They bought that suffering and wounding with spirit and heart. Sarī SaqaṬī said, “God appeared to me in a dream saying, 'O Sarī! We created the creatures. Some of them saw this world and clung to it. Some of them saw trial, and they fled to paradise and well-being. Some of them thought nothing of trial and took the tribulation into their spirits and hearts, asking for union with Us. Which one of these are you? What do you want?'” Sarī said, “I answered, 'You know what I desire.'” How often will you ask, why do you make me suffer? In truth you know my state better than I. “He said, 'O Sarī! By the majesty of Our measure, We will strike your head with the whip of trial, and We will make the millstone of tribulation revolve on your head.'” Sarī said, “I replied with the light of recognition by lordly inspiration, 'Are You not the one who sends trials?'” The lover's soul is patient with illness- perhaps He who made him ill will one day make him well. * Since the healing, O Heart-taker, is from Your wound and pain, make no balm for the wounded, don't cure the pain!

They rejoice in blessings from God and bounty, and that God does not leave to waste the wage of the faithful, those who answered God and the Messenger after the wound had befallen them. Those who bow their heads before the command of God and the Messenger in passion for the religion made their own dear spirits the target of the enemy's arrows. They made their spirits a gift, their bodies a path, and their hearts a sacrifice. They bought that suffering and wounding with spirit and heart. Sarī SaqaṬī said, “God appeared to me in a dream saying, 'O Sarī! We created the creatures. Some of them saw this world and clung to it. Some of them saw trial, and they fled to paradise and well-being. Some of them thought nothing of trial and took the tribulation into their spirits and hearts, asking for union with Us. Which one of these are you? What do you want?'” Sarī said, “I answered, 'You know what I desire.'” How often will you ask, why do you make me suffer? In truth you know my state better than I. “He said, 'O Sarī! By the majesty of Our measure, We will strike your head with the whip of trial, and We will make the millstone of tribulation revolve on your head.'” Sarī said, “I replied with the light of recognition by lordly inspiration, 'Are You not the one who sends trials?'” The lover's soul is patient with illness- perhaps He who made him ill will one day make him well. * Since the healing, O Heart-taker, is from Your wound and pain, make no balm for the wounded, don't cure the pain!

They rejoice in blessings from God and bounty, and that God does not leave to waste the wage of the faithful, those who answered God and the Messenger after the wound had befallen them.Those who bow their heads before the command of God and the Messenger in passion for the religion made their own dear spirits the target of the enemy's arrows. They made their spirits a gift, their bodies a path, and their hearts a sacrifice. They bought that suffering and wounding with spirit and heart.Sarī SaqaṬī said, �God appeared to me in a dream saying, 'O Sarī! We created the creatures. Some of them saw this world and clung to it. Some of them saw trial, and they fled to paradise and well-being. Some of them thought nothing of trial and took the tribulation into their spirits and hearts, asking for union with Us. Which one of these are you? What do you want?'�Sarī said, �I answered, 'You know what I desire.'�How often will you ask, why do you make me suffer?In truth you know my state better than I.�He said, 'O Sarī! By the majesty of Our measure, We will strike your head with the whip of trial, and We will make the millstone of tribulation revolve on your head.'�Sarī said, �I replied with the light of recognition by lordly inspiration, 'Are You not the one who sends trials?'�The lover's soul is patient with illness-perhaps He who made him ill will one day make him well.*Since the healing, O Heart-taker, is from Your wound and pain, make no balm for the wounded, don't cure the pain!

وإنهم في فرحة غامرة بما أُعطوا من نعم الله وجزيل عطائه، وأن الله لا يضيع أجر المؤمنين به، بل ينمِّيه ويزيده من فضله.

قال تعالى "يستبشرون بنعمة من الله وفضل وأن الله لا يضيع أجر المؤمنين" قال محمد بن إسحق: استبشروا أي سروا لما عاينوا من وفاء الموعود وجزيل الثواب. وقال عبدالرحمن بن زيد بن أسلم: هذه الآيات جمعت المؤمنين كلهم سواء الشهداء وغيرهم وقلما ذكر الله فضلا ذكر به الأنبياء وثوابا أعطاهم الله إياه إلا ذكر الله ما أعطى المؤمنين من بعدهم.

وقوله { يَسْتَبْشِرُونَ بِنِعْمَةٍ مِّنَ الله وَفَضْلٍ وَأَنَّ الله لاَ يُضِيعُ أَجْرَ المؤمنين } استئناف مبين لما هم عليه من سرور يتعلق بذواتهم . بعد أن بين - سبحانه - سرورهم بحال الذين لم يلحقوا بهم .والمعنى أن هؤلاء الشهداء يستبشرون بحال إخوانهم الذين لم يلحقوا بهم من خلفهم . كما أنهم يستبشرون ايضاً لأنفسهم بسبب ما أنعم الله به عليهم من نعم جزيلة وبسبب ما تفضل به عليهم من زيادة الكرامة ، وسمو المنزلة .وهذا يدل على أن هؤلاء الشهداء لا يهتمون بشأن أنفسهم فقط . وإنما يهتمون أيضا بأحوال إخوانهم الذين تركوهم فى الدنيا ، وفى ذلك ما فيه من صفاء نفوسهم ، وطهارة قلوبهم ، حيث أحبوا الخير لغيرهم كما أحبوه لأنفسهم ، بل إن تقديم استبشارهم بحال إخوانهم على استبشارهم بما يتعلق بأنفسهم ليشعر بأن اهتمامهم بحال إخوانهم أشد من اهتمامهم بحال أنفسهم .ويرى بعضهم أن الضمير فى قوله { يَسْتَبْشِرُونَ بِنِعْمَةٍ } يعود على الذين لم يلحقوا بهم فتكون جملة { يَسْتَبْشِرُونَ } حالا من الذين لم يلحقوا بهم . وعليه يكون المعنى : أن هؤلاء الذين لم يلحقوا بهم لا خوف عليهم ولا حزن ، فهم مستبشرون بنعمة من الله وفضل . . . " .وقوله { وَأَنَّ الله لاَ يُضِيعُ أَجْرَ المؤمنين } معطوف { نِعْمَةٍ مِّنَ الله وَفَضْلٍ } ، وهذا على قراءة الجمهور بفتح همزة أن على معنى وبأن .وقرأ الكسائى " وإن الله لا يضيع أجر المؤمنين " ، بكسر همزة إن على الاستئناف والمقصود من الآية الكريمة بيان أن كل مؤمن يخاف مقام ربه وينهى نفسه عن الهوى ، ويجاهد فى سبيل إعلاء كلمة الله فإن الله - تعالى - لا يضيع شيئا من أجره ، بل يعطيه من الجزاء الحسن - بفضله وإحسانه - أكثر مما يستحق .

القول في تأويل قوله : يَسْتَبْشِرُونَ بِنِعْمَةٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَفَضْلٍ وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ لا يُضِيعُ أَجْرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (171)قال أبو جعفر: يقول جل ثناؤه: " يستبشرون "، يفرحون =" بنعمة من الله "، يعني بما حباهم به تعالى ذكره من عظيم كرامته عند ورودهم عليه =" وفضل " يقول: وبما أسبغ عليهم من الفضل وجزيل الثواب على ما سلف منهم من طاعة الله ورسوله صلى الله عليه وسلم وجهاد أعدائه =" وأن الله لا يضيع أجر المؤمنين "، كما:-8232- حدثنا ابن حميد قال، حدثنا سلمة، عن أبي إسحاق: " يستبشرون بنعمة من الله وفضل " الآية، لما عاينوا من وفاء الموعود وعظيم الثواب. (48)* * *واختلفت القرأة في قراءة قوله: " وأن الله لا يضيع أجر المؤمنين ".فقرأ ذلك بعضهم بفتح " الألف " من " أنّ" بمعنى: يستبشرون بنعمة من الله وفضل، وبأنّ الله لا يضيع أجر المؤمنين.* * *= وبكسر " الألف "، على الاستئناف. واحتج من قرأ ذلك كذلك بأنها في قراءة عبدالله: ( وَفَضْلٍ وَاللَّهُ لا يُضِيعُ أَجْرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ). قالوا: فذلك دليل على أن قوله: " وإن الله " مستأنف غير متصل بالأول. (49) .* * *ومعنى قوله: " لا يضيع أجر المؤمنين "، لا يبطل جزاء أعمال من صدّق رسوله واتبعه، وعمل بما جاءه من عند الله.* * *قال أبو جعفر: وأولى القراءتين بالصواب، قراءه من قرأ ذلك: " وأن الله " بفتح " الألف "، لإجماع الحجة من القرأة على ذلك.------------------الهوامش :(48) الأثر: 8232- سيرة ابن هشام 3: 126 ، وهو تتمة الآثار التي آخرها: 8229.(49) انظر معاني القرآن للفراء 1: 247.

( يستبشرون بنعمة من الله وفضل وأن الله ) أي : وبأن الله ، وقرأ الكسائي بكسر الألف على الاستئناف .( لا يضيع أجر المؤمنين ) أخبرنا أبو الحسن السرخسي ، أنا زاهر بن أحمد ، حدثنا أبو إسحاق الهاشمي ، أنا أبو مصعب ، عن مالك ، عن أبي الزناد ، عن الأعرج ، عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال : " تكفل الله لمن جاهد في سبيله لا يخرجه من بيته إلا الجهاد في سبيله وتصديق كلمته أن يدخله الجنة أو يرجعه إلى مسكنه الذي خرج منه مع ما نال من أجر وغنيمة " .وقال : " والذي نفسي بيده لا يكلم أحد في سبيل الله - والله أعلم بمن يكلم في سبيله - إلا جاء يوم القيامة وجرحه يثعب دما اللون لون الدم والريح ريح المسك " .أخبرنا الإمام أبو علي الحسن بن محمد القاضي ، أنا أبو طاهر محمد بن محمد بن محمش الزيادي ، أنا أبو بكر محمد بن الحسين القطان ، أنا علي بن الحسن الدارابجردي أنا عبد الله بن يزيد المقرئ ، أنا سعيد ، حدثني محمد بن عجلان ، عن القعقاع بن حكيم ، عن أبي صالح ، عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال : قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : " الشهيد لا يجد ألم القتل إلا كما يجد أحدكم ألم القرصة " .

وضمير { يستبشرون بنعمة من الله } يجوز أن يعود إلى الذين لم يلحقوا بهم فتكون الجملة حالاً من الذين لم يلحقوا بهم أي لا خوف عليهم ولا حزن فهم مستبشرون بنعمة من الله ، ويحتمل أن يكون تكريراً لقوله : { ويستبشرون بالذين لم يلحقوا } والضمير ل { الذين قُتِلوا في سبيل الله } ، وفائدة التكرير تحقيق معنى البشارة كقوله : { ربنا هؤلاء الذين أغوينا أغويناهم كما غوينا } [ القصص : 63 ] فكرّر أغويناهم ، ولأنّ هذا استبشار منه عائد لأنفسهم ، ومنه عائد لرفاقهم الذين استجابوا لله من بعد القرح ، والأولى عائدة لإخوانهم . والنعمة : هي ما يكون به صلاح ، والفضل : الزيادة في النعمة .وقوله : { وأن الله لا يضيع أجر المؤمنين } قرأه الجمهور بفتح همزة ( أنّ ) على أنه عطف على { نعمةٍ من الله وفضلٍ } ، والمقصود من ذلك تفخيم ما حصل لهم من الاستبشار وانشراح الأنفس بأنْ جمع الله لهم المسرّة الجثمانية الجزئية والمسرّة العقليّة الكلية ، فإنّ إدراك الحقائق الكلية لذّة روحانية عظيمة لشرف الحقائق الكلية وشرف العلم بها ، وحصول المسرّة للنفس من انكشافها لها وإدراكها ، أي استبشروا بأنّ عَلِموا حقيقة كليّة وسرّاً جليلاً من أسرار العِلم بصفات الله وكمالاته ، التي تعمّ آثارها ، أهل الكمال كلَّهم ، فتشمل الذين أدركوها وغيرهم ، ولولا هذا المعنى الجليل لم يكن داع إلى زيادة { وأن الله لا يضيع أجرالمؤمنين } إذ لم يحصل بزيادته زيادةُ نعمة وفضل للمستبشرين مِن جنس النعمة والفضل الأولين ، بل حصلت نعمة وفضل آخران .وقرأه الكسائي بكسر همزة ( إنّ ) على أنه عطف على جملة { يستبشرون } في معنى التذييل فهو غير داخل فيما استبشر به الشهداء . ويجوز أن تكون الجملة على هذا الوجه ابتداء كلام ، فتكون الواو للاستئناف .

{ يستبشرون بنعمة من الله وفضل } أي: يهنىء بعضهم بعضا، بأعظم مهنأ به، وهو: نعمة ربهم، وفضله، وإحسانه، { وأن الله لا يضيع أجر المؤمنين } بل ينميه ويشكره، ويزيده من فضله، ما لا يصل إليه سعيهم. وفي هذه الآيات إثبات نعيم البرزخ، وأن الشهداء في أعلى مكان عند ربهم، وفيه تلاقي أرواح أهل الخير، وزيارة بعضهم بعضا، وتبشير بعضهم بعضا.

قوله تعالى : يستبشرون بنعمة من الله وفضل وأن الله لا يضيع أجر المؤمنينأي بجنة من الله . ويقال : بمغفرة من الله . وفضل هذا لزيادة البيان . والفضل داخل في النعمة ، وفيه دليل على اتساعها ، وأنها ليست كنعم الدنيا . وقيل : جاء الفضل بعد النعمة على وجه التأكيد ; روى الترمذي عن المقدام بن معدي كرب قال : قال رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - : ( للشهيد عند الله ست خصال - كذا في الترمذي وابن ماجه " ست " ، وهي في العدد سبع - يغفر له في أول دفعة ويرى مقعده من الجنة ويجار من عذاب القبر ويأمن من الفزع الأكبر ويوضع على رأسه تاج الوقار الياقوتة منها خير من الدنيا وما فيها ويزوج اثنتين وسبعين زوجة من الحور العين ويشفع في سبعين من أقاربه ) قال : هذا حديث حسن صحيح غريب . وهذا تفسير للنعمة [ ص: 260 ] والفضل . والآثار في هذا المعنى كثيرة . وروي عن مجاهد أنه قال : السيوف مفاتيح الجنة . وروي عن رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - أنه قال : أكرم الله تعالى الشهداء بخمس كرامات لم يكرم بها أحدا من الأنبياء ولا أنا أحدها أن جميع الأنبياء قبض أرواحهم ملك الموت وهو الذي سيقبض روحي وأما الشهداء فالله هو الذي يقبض أرواحهم بقدرته كيف يشاء ولا يسلط على أرواحهم ملك الموت ، والثاني أن جميع الأنبياء قد غسلوا بعد الموت وأنا أغسل بعد الموت والشهداء لا يغسلون ولا حاجة لهم إلى ماء الدنيا ، والثالث أن جميع الأنبياء قد كفنوا وأنا أكفن والشهداء لا يكفنون بل يدفنون في ثيابهم ، والرابع أن الأنبياء لما ماتوا سموا أمواتا وإذا مت يقال قد مات والشهداء لا يسمون موتى ، والخامس أن الأنبياء تعطى لهم الشفاعة يوم القيامة وشفاعتي أيضا يوم القيامة وأما الشهداء فإنهم يشفعون في كل يوم فيمن يشفعون .قوله تعالى : وأن الله لا يضيع أجر المؤمنين قرأه الكسائي بكسر الألف ، والباقون بالنصب ; فمن قرأ بالنصب فمعناه يستبشرون بنعمة من الله ويستبشرون بأن الله لا يضيع أجر المؤمنين . ومن قرأ بالكسر فعلى الابتداء . ودليله قراءة ابن مسعود " والله لا يضيع أجر المؤمنين " .

The martyrdom of the believers was derided by the hypocrites. They said that Muslims were being slain meaninglessly at the instance of their leader—the Prophet. God says that, on the contrary, what they call death is in fact the true, real life, which they have entered through the gateway of death. The non-believers know only the profit and loss of this world. That is why sacrificing their lives for the cause of the Hereafter appears to them as self-destruction. But they ought to know that the believers’ ‘dead’ have a far better ‘life’ than those among the non-believers who are alive: in the Hereafter, they rejoice in the bliss they have attained through sacrifice for the cause of God. Satan’s way is to take in hand those people whom he finds closer to him, and prevent them from advancing towards religion, by showing them the ‘dreadful’ consequences of such a step. People who give in to Satan’s influences thus become his agents. They exaggerate the power and the resources of the opponents of Islam in order to awe the believers. But such kinds of propaganda only serve to benefit the believers. Their conviction is strengthened all the more that their God will not abandon them in a difficult situation.

So, in summation, their first merit as pointed out in this verse is their distinct perennial life; the second is their being well-provided from Allah and the third (فَرِ‌حِينَ بِمَا آتَاهُمُ اللَّـهُ ) is that they shall always be happy with Allah's blessings and grace. The fourth (وَيَسْتَبْشِرُ‌ونَ بِالَّذِينَ لَمْ يَلْحَقُوا بِهِم) merit is the good news given to them about their relatives and circle of friends they left behind in the mortal world that they too shall deserve the same blessings and ranks with their Lord if they remain good in deeds and are active in Jihad (170-171). Al-Suddi says that a شھید shahld is informed beforehand when one of his close friend or relative is about to die. The news that a certain person was coming to them makes them as happy as one would usually be when an old friend, long separated by time and distance, comes to meet him. The background of the revelation of this verse as narrated by Abu Dawud on sound authorities from Sayyidna Ibn ` Abbas is as follows. The Holy Prophet said to the noble Companions: 'When your brothers-in-faith fell martyrs at the battle of Uhud, Allah Almighty placed their spirits in the bodies of green birds and set them free. They get their sustenance from the streams and fruit-trees of the Paradise following which they return to special candelabrums held suspending for them underneath the عرش 'throne' ('arsh) of the All-Merciful. When they noticed the luxury of their life there, they said, 'Can anyone tell them (their grieving friends and relatives in the world) about how we live here so that they stop grieving about us and go about striving in Jihad as we did.' Allah Almighty said, 'We shall let them know about this state of yours.' Thereupon, this verse was revealed (Qurtubi).

(They rejoice because of favour from Allah) because of a reward from Allah (and kindness) and honour, (and that Allah wasteth not) thwarts not (the wage of the believers) regarding jihad, i.e. that which befalls them in the course of jihad.