Ali 'Imran Verse 146

˹Imagine˺ how many devotees fought along with their prophets and never faltered despite whatever ˹losses˺ they suffered in the cause of Allah, nor did they weaken or give in! Allah loves those who persevere.

[Imagine] how many prophets along with the devout men fought, but they did not lose heart because of what they suffered in the way of Allah, nor did they weaken nor surrender. And Allah loves those who are patient.

Many a Prophet there has been, with whom thousands manifold have fought, and they fainted not for what smote them in God's way, neither weakened, nor did they humble themselves; and God loves the patient.

Many prophets have fought, with large bands of godly men alongside them who, in the face of their sufferings for God’s cause, did not lose heart or weaken or surrender: God loves those who are steadfast.

And many a prophet hath fought With a number of godly men beside him. They fainted not for aught that befell them in the way of Allah, nor they weakened, nor they humbled themselves; and Allah loveth the steadfast.

How many of the prophets fought (in Allah's way), and with them (fought) Large bands of godly men? but they never lost heart if they met with disaster in Allah's way, nor did they weaken (in will) nor give in. And Allah Loves those who are firm and steadfast.

Many were the Prophets on whose side a large number of God-devoted men fought: they neither lost heart for all they had to suffer in the way of Allah nor did they weaken nor did they abase themselves. Allah loves such steadfast ones.

Many a seeker after God has fought in the way of God by the side of many an apostle, undaunted (by disaster), and did not disgrace themselves; -- verily God loves those who are steadfast.

And many Prophets have fought in Allah’s cause – and many devoted men were with them; so neither did they lose heart due to the calamities that befell them in Allah's cause, nor did they weaken and nor were they subdued; and the steadfast are the beloved of Allah.

How many a prophet there has been with whom a multitude of godly men fought. They did not falter for what befell them in the way of Allah, neither did they weaken, nor did they abase themselves; and Allah loves the steadfast.

And how many a Prophet has had to fight (for God’s cause), followed by numbers of godly, dedicated servants of God; and they did not become faint of heart for all that befell them in God’s cause, nor did they weaken, nor did they abase themselves (before the enemy). And God loves the patient and steadfast.

There has been many a Prophet beside whom many worshippers of the Lord fought. They were neither unnerved on account of all that befell them in the cause of Allâh, nor did they weaken, nor did they show inconsistency (against their adversary). Allâh certainly loves such patiently-persevering ones.

And how many from a prophet fought/killed with him many knowledgeable Lord worshippers? So they did not weaken/enfeeble for (what) struck them in God`s sake , and they did not weaken, and they did not become humiliated/disgraced, and God loves/likes the patient.

And many Prophets have fought in Allah’s cause - and many devoted men were with them; so neither did they lose heart due to the calamities that befell them in Allah´s cause, nor did they weaken and nor were they subdued; and the steadfast are the beloved of Allah.

And their word was only to say, "Lord, forgive us our sins and wasted efforts; and make firm our footing, and help us against the faithless folk!"

And many a Prophet (i.e. many from amongst the Prophets) fought (in Allah's Cause) and along with him (fought) large bands of religious learned men. But they never lost heart for that which did befall them in Allah's Way, nor did they weaken nor degrade themselves. And Allah loves As-Sabirin (the patient ones, etc.).

And no soul can die but with Allah’s permission -- the term is fixed. And whoever desires the reward of this world, We give him of it, and whoever desires the reward of the Hereafter, We give him of it. And We shall reward the grateful.

And how many a prophet has fought with whom were many worshippers of the Lord; so they did not become weak-hearted on account of what befell them in Allah's way, nor did they weaken, nor did they abase themselves; and Allah loves the patient.

And with how many a prophet have there been a number of devoted men who fought (beside him). They quailed not for aught that befell them in the way of Allah, nor did they weaken, nor were they brought low. Allah loveth the steadfast.

Many godly people fought to help the Prophets in the cause of God. They did not lose courage, show weakness, or give in when facing hardships in their fight for the cause of God. God loves those who have patience.

There has been many a Prophet with whom many of the Lord have fought and they did not faint when they were smitten in the way of Allah, neither did they weaken, nor did they humble themselves, and Allah loves the patient.

And many a Prophet fought and along with him many Ribbiyyun. But they never lost heart for that which befall them in Allah's way, nor did nor they weaken nor degrade themselves. And Allah loves the patient.

How many a prophet has fought with many devout men alongside him! They did not lose heart, despite all that they had to suffer in God's path. They neither weakened nor yielded. God loves the patient!

How many a prophet fought alongside him numerous godly people? They did not waver for what afflicted them in the cause of God, nor did they weaken, nor did they give in. God loves those who endure.

How many a prophet has been killed (qutila, a variant reading has qtala, `has fought', the subject of the verb being the person governing it) and with him (ma`ahu, the predicate, the subject of which [follows]) thousands manifold [fought], but they fainted not, they did [not] shrink, in the face of what afflicted them in God's way, of wounds and the slaying of their prophets and companions; they neither weakened, in the face of struggle, nor did they humble themselves, [nor did they] succumb to their enemy, as you did when it was said that the Prophet (s) had been killed. And God loves the patient, during trials, meaning that He will reward them.

وَكَأَيِّن مِّن نَّبِيٍّ قَاتَلَ مَعَهُ رِبِّيُّونَ كَثِيرٌ

And many a Prophet fought and along with him many Ribbiyyun.

It was said that;

this Ayah means that many Prophets and their companions were killed in earlier times, as is the view chosen by Ibn Jarir.

It was also said that;

the Ayah means that many Prophets witnessed their companions' death before their eyes.

However, Ibn Ishaq mentioned another explanation in his Sirah, saying that this Ayah means,

"Many a Prophet was killed, and he had many companions whose resolve did not weaken after their Prophet died, and they did not become feeble in the face of the enemy. What they suffered in Jihad in Allah's cause and for the sake of their religion did not make them lose heart. This is patience,
وَاللّهُ يُحِبُّ الصَّابِرِينَ
(and Allah loves the patient)."

As-Suhayli agreed with this explanation and defended it vigorously.

This view is supported by Allah saying;
مَعَهُ رِبِّيُّونَ كَثِيرٌ
(And along with him many Ribbiyyun).

In his book about the battles, Al-Amawi mentioned only this explanation for the Ayah.

Sufyan Ath-Thawri reported that, Ibn Mas`ud said that,

رِبِّيُّونَ كَثِيرٌ
(many Ribbiyyun) means, thousands.

Ibn Abbas, Mujahid, Sa`id bin Jubayr, Ikrimah, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, As-Suddi, Ar-Rabi and Ata Al-Khurasani said that;

the word Ribbiyyun means, `large bands'.

Abdur-Razzaq narrated that Ma`mmar said that Al-Hasan said that,

رِبِّيُّونَ كَثِيرٌ
(many Ribbiyyun) means, many scholars.

He also said that it means patient and pious scholars.

فَمَا وَهَنُواْ لِمَا أَصَابَهُمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللّهِ وَمَا ضَعُفُواْ وَمَا اسْتَكَانُواْ

But they never lost heart for that which befell them in Allah's way, nor did they weaken nor degrade themselves.

Qatadah and Ar-Rabi bin Anas said that,

وَمَا ضَعُفُواْ
(nor did they weaken),

means, after their Prophet was killed.

وَمَا اسْتَكَانُواْ
(nor degrade themselves),

by reverting from the true guidance and religion. Rather, they fought on the path that Allah's Prophet fought on until they met Allah.

Ibn Abbas said that,
وَمَا اسْتَكَانُواْ
(nor degrade themselves) means,

nor became humiliated,

while As-Suddi and Ibn Zayd said that it means,

they did not give in to the enemy.

وَاللّهُ يُحِبُّ الصَّابِرِينَ



وَمَا كَانَ قَوْلَهُمْ إِلاَّ أَن قَالُواْ ربَّنَا اغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَإِسْرَافَنَا فِي أَمْرِنَا وَثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَنَا وانصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ