Surah Al-Imran Ayat 156 in Arabic Text
English Translation
Here you can read various translations of verse 156
O you who have believed, do not be like those who disbelieved and said about their brothers when they traveled through the land or went out to fight, “If they had been with us, they would not have died or have been killed,” so Allah makes that [misconception] a regret within their hearts. And it is Allah who gives life and causes death, and Allah is Seeing of what you do.
O ye who believe! Be not like the Unbelievers, who say of their brethren, when they are travelling through the Earth or engaged in fighting: “If they had stayed with us, they would not have died, or been slain.” This that Allah may make it a cause of sighs and regrets in their hearts. It is Allah that gives Life and Death, and Allah sees well all that ye do.
Believers, do not behave like those who disbelieved and say to their brothers (who meet some mishap) in the course of their journey for fighting: ‘Had they remained with us, they would not have died nor been slain.’ Allah makes such thoughts the cause of deep regrets in their hearts. For in truth it is Allah alone who grants life and deals death. Allah sees all that you do.
O you who believe! Be not like those who disbelieve (hypocrites) and who say to their brethren when they travel through the earth or go out to fight: “If they had stayed with us, they would not have died or been killed,” so that Allah may make it a cause of regret in their hearts. It is Allah that gives life and causes death. And Allah is All-Seer of what you do.
O ye who believe! Be not as those who disbelieved and said of their brethren who went abroad in the land or were fighting in the field: If they had been (here) with us they would not have died or been killed: that Allah may make it anguish in their hearts. Allah giveth life and causeth death; and Allah is Seer of what ye do.
O you who have believed, do not be as the ones who have disbelieved and have said to their brethren when they strike in the earth (i.e. journey in the land) or are upon expeditions, “If they had been in our presence, they would not have died and not been killed.” that (is so that) Allah maymake that a regret in their hearts. And Allah gives life and makes to die, and Allah is EverBeholding of whatever you do.
You who believe, do not be like those who disbelieved and said of their brothers who went out on a journey or a raid, ‘If only they had stayed with us they would not have died or been killed,’ for God will make such thoughts a source of anguish in their hearts. It is God who gives life and death; God sees everything you do.
اے ایمان والو! تم ان لوگوں کی طرح نہ ہو جانا جنہوں نے کفر کیا اور اپنے بھائیوں کے حق میں جب کہ وه سفر میں ہوں یا جہاد میں ہوں، کہا کہ اگر یہ ہمارے پاس ہوتے تو نہ مرتے اور نہ مارے جاتے، اس کی وجہ یہ تھی کہ اس خیال کو اللہ تعالیٰ ان کی دلی حسرت کا سبب بنا دے، اللہ تعالیٰ جلاتا ہے اور مارتا ہے اور اللہ تمہارے عمل کو دیکھ رہا ہے
Quran 3 Verse 156 Explanation
For those looking for commentary to help with the understanding of Surah Imran ayat 156, we’ve provided two Tafseer works below. The first is the tafseer of Abul Ala Maududi, the second is of Ibn Kathir.
Ala-Maududi
(3:156) Believers, do not behave like those who disbelieved and say to their brothers (who meet some mishap) in the course of their journey for fighting: Had they remained with us, they would not have died nor been slain.’ Allah makes such thoughts the cause of deep regrets in their hearts.[113] For in truth it is Allah alone who grants life and deals death. Allah sees all that you do.
113. Such ideas had no solid ground. God’s decree regarding the time of one’s death cannot be deferred. Those who lack faith in God and think that everything is dependent on their own scheming and effort rather than on the overpowering Will of God become victims of perpetual remorse, since they never cease to reflect how a slightly different circumstance or slightly altered strategy could have led to an altogether different and wholesome result.
Ibn-Kathir
156. O you who believe! Be not like those who disbelieve and who say to their brethren when they travel through the earth or go out to fight: “If they had stayed with us, they would not have died or been killed,” so that Allah may make it a cause of regret in their hearts. It is Allah that gives life and causes death. And Allah is All-Seer of what you do. 157. And if you are killed or die in the way of Allah, forgiveness and mercy from Allah are far better than all that they amass. 158. And whether you die or are killed, verily, unto Allah you shall be gathered.
Allah forbids His believing servants from the disbelievers’ false creed, seen in their statement about those who died in battle and during travel; “Had they abandoned these trips, they would not have met their demise.” Allah said,
(O you who believe! Be not like those who disbelieve (hypocrites) and who say to their brethren), about their dead brethren,
(when they travel through the earth) for the purpose of trading and otherwise,
(or go out to fight), participating in battles,
(“If they had stayed with us,”) in our area,
(“they would not have died or been killed,”) they would not have died while traveling or been killed in battle. Allah’s statement,
(so that Allah may make it a cause of regret in their hearts. ) means, Allah creates this evil thought in their hearts so that their sadness and the grief they feel for their loss would increase. Allah refuted them by saying,
(It is Allah that gives life and causes death.) for the creation is under Allah’s power, and the decision is His Alone. No one lives or dies except by Allah’s leave, and no one’s life is increased or decreased except by His decree.
(And Allah is All-Seer of what you do,) for His knowledge and vision encompasses all His creation and none of their affairs ever escapes Him. Allah’s statement,
(And if you are killed or die in the way of Allah, forgiveness and mercy from Allah are far better than all that they amass.) ﴿3:157﴾, indicating that death and martyrdom in Allah’s cause are a means of earning Allah’s mercy, forgiveness and pleasure. This, indeed, is better than remaining in this life with its short lived delights. Furthermore, whoever dies or is killed will return to Allah, the Exalted and Most Honored, and He will reward him if he has done good deeds, or will punish him for his evil deeds. Allah said,
(And whether you die or are killed, verily, unto Allah you shall be gathered.) ﴿3:158﴾.
Quick navigation links
