The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 2) — Page 134
CH. 3 ĀL-E-‘IMRĀN height, etc. means, he went from a low piece of land to one that is high, both physically and figuratively; or adversely, he descended or went down into the land. means, he exerted himself in running. also means, he went forth or went away in any direction (Lane). PT. 4 of the Holy Prophet's death and the second-mentioned "sorrow", which was first in occurring, refers to the sorrow that the Companions of the Holy Prophet-the archers stationed at the back-caused him by having failed faithfully to follow his order. One sorrow came in recompense of the other. The report of the Holy ✓ (gave in recompense) is from Prophet's death referred to above spread when | مثابة and مثوبة and ثواب the same root as and means, he gave in reward or recompense or return; or he gave as a substitute (Aqrab). See also 2:104 and 2:126. Commentary: The words, When you were running away and looked not back at anyone, refer to the incident which happened when in the Battle of Uḥud the Muslims were attacked from both the rear and the front and their ranks were broken and many of them were fleeing in different directions. At first, when the Muslims heard that the enemy was coming from behind, they turned back to attack the enemy, but it so happened that a large body of Muslims was also coming from the rear at that time. In the confusion of the hour, these were mistaken for the enemy and attacked. Such was the confusion and the panic that even the voice of the Holy Prophet was not heeded. The words, gave you a sorrow in recompense for a sorrow, refer to the report of the Holy Prophet's death in the Battle of Uḥud. Thus the first- mentioned "sorrow", which was later in occurring, refers to the false report a Muslim, named Muş'ab bin Umair, the Companion who carried the flag, was killed, being mistaken for the Holy Prophet. The second-mentioned "sorrow" does not obviously refer to the wounds received by the Holy Prophet, for the wounds were received not before, but after the archers left their station and after the above-mentioned erroneous report about the death of the Holy Prophet. The sorrow which certain Muslims caused the Holy Prophet by paying no heed to his voice when at the ensuing disorder he called out to them from the rear, was also recompensed. When the Muslims did not pay heed to the call of the Prophet, God caused them to think for a while that he was dead, which was to them a punishment similar to their offence. If they did not pay heed to the voice of the Divine Messenger, of what use to them was his existence in this world? Thus when they heard of the reported death of the Holy Prophet, their thoughts naturally and immediately turned to the great benefits which they had received and were receiving through him and they 574