73 Page Notes

03 Surah Ali-Imran (continued)

Page 73 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

3:174

3:175

3:176

3:177

3:178

3:179

3:180

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 73 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Page 73 of the Qur'an contains Surah Ali-Imran (Chapter 3), Verses 174 through 180. Chronologically, this section wraps up the narrative of the Battle of Uhud and its immediate sequel, the expedition of Hamra al-Asad (Verses 174–175). It then transitions into broad spiritual warnings regarding the fast tracking of disbelief (Kufr), the concept of divine respite for the wicked, and a severe warning regarding financial miserliness (Bukhl) and the withholding of Zakat (Verses 176–180).

The Hadith and Sunnah provide specific historical context, moral lessons, and literal descriptions of the afterlife regarding these verses.

1. The Safe Return from Hamra al-Asad (Verses 174–175)

"So they returned with favor from Allah and bounty, no harm having touched them. And they pursued the pleasure of Allah, and Allah is the possessor of great bounty." (Verse 174)

Following the events of the previous page where the wounded companions marched out and proclaimed “Hasbunallah wa ni'mal wakil” (Sufficient is Allah for us), these verses highlight their triumphant return.

Sunnah Context on the "Bounty" (Fadl)

When the Prophet PBUH and his companions arrived at the marketplace of Hamra al-Asad to intercept the Meccan army, Abu Sufyan’s forces became gripped with terror and decided to flee straight back to Mecca rather than fight.

• The Commercial Blessing: In classical exegesis matching the Sunnah historical accounts (such as Tafsir Ibn Kathir and Ma'arif-ul-Quran), because there was no military clash, the companions utilized their time at the seasonal market of Hamra al-Asad to engage in trade.

• The Hadith Interpretation: Scholars note that the word "Favor" (Ni'mah) in Verse 174 refers to surviving safely without a drop of blood being spilled, while "Bounty" (Fadl) refers to the literal financial profit and trade gains the Muslims made during this brief expedition, returning to Medina richer than they left.

2. Consolation Against the Rush to Disbelief (Verses 176–178)

"And do not be grieved, [O Muhammad], by those who hasten into disbelief. Indeed, they will never harm Allah at all..." (Verse 176)

The Prophet $\text{(PBUH)}$ possessed an intense, deep-seated worry for the guidance of humanity and would grieve heavily over those who chose apostasy or active disbelief.

Hadith on the Prophet's Grief for the Unbelievers

The Sunnah emphasizes the emotional burden the Prophet carried, which these verses were meant to alleviate. In a foundational narration found in Sahih al-Bukhari, the Prophet’s internal drive is described:

"My example and the example of the people is that of a man who kindled a fire, and when it illuminated what was around it, moths and other insects began to fall into it. The man tries to prevent them, but they overpower him and rush into it. I am catching you by your waists to save you from the Fire, but you are rushing into it."

Verse 178 reminds the believers that when Allah grants a long life or luxury to tyrants and disbelievers ("We only extend it for them so that they may increase in sin"), it is not a sign of His love, but a form of gradual respite (Istidraj).

3. The Divine Sorting and Testing (Verse 179)

"Allah would not leave the believers in that [state] you are in [now] until He separates the evil from the good. Nor would Allah reveal to you the unseen..."

This verse explains that trials like the military defeat at Uhud are entirely necessary to separate true, battle-tested believers from fair-weather hypocrites. Furthermore, it states that everyday humans cannot read hearts or peer into the Ghaib (Unseen) to know who is a hypocrite.

The Sunnah Boundary of the Unseen

The Prophet $\text{(PBUH)}$ consistently affirmed that even he did not possess absolute knowledge of the Unseen except what Allah explicitly revealed to him.

• The Exception of Hudhayfah: As documented in Sahih al-Bukhari, the Prophet was given a specific list of the names of the hypocrites in Medina by divine revelation. He passed this secret list to only one companion, Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman (known as the "Keeper of the Secret of the Messenger of Allah"). Even great leaders like Umar ibn al-Khattab would later go to Hudhayfah to ask if his own name was on that list, showing how tightly the knowledge of the Unseen was guarded in the Sunnah.

4. The Bald Snake: The Fate of Misers and Zakat-Evaders (Verse 180)

"And let not those who [greedily] withhold what Allah has given them of His bounty think that it is good for them. Rather, it is bad for them. Their necks will be encircled by what they withheld on the Day of Resurrection..."

This verse contains one of the most stark warnings regarding the sin of Bukhl (miserliness) and the refusal to pay the mandatory charity (Zakat).

The Explicit Hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari

The exact, terrifying manner in which a miser's wealth will be "encircled around their necks" is detailed by the Prophet $\text{(PBUH)}$ in an authoritative Hadith narrated by Abu Hurayrah in Sahih al-Bukhari:

The Messenger of Allah PBUH said: "Whoever is given wealth by Allah and does not pay its Zakat, his wealth will appear to him on the Day of Resurrection as a poisonous, bald-headed snake with two black spots over its eyes (or two fangs). It will encircle his neck and bite his cheeks, saying, 'I am your wealth, I am your hoarded treasure.'"

The Prophet PBUH then recited this exact verse: "And let not those who greedily withhold what Allah has given them of His bounty think that it is good for them..." (Surah Ali-Imran 3:180).