Blogging the Qur’an: Sura 3, “The Family of Imran,” verses 121-200

Blogging the Qur’an: Sura 3, “The Family of ImraVerse

Verse 121 begins a discussion of lessons of the Battle of Uhud and the Battle of
Badr. At Badr in 624, the Muslims overcame great odds to defeat the pagan
Quraysh tribe of Mecca; in a return engagement at Uhud the following year, the
pagans defeated the Muslims, and Muhammad was slightly wounded. Allah reminds
Muhammad that when he and the Muslims set out for the battle at Uhud, two groups
of Muslims almost deserted. They shouldn’t have been afraid, for “Allah was
their protector,” and the believers should trust in him (v. 122). After all,
when the Muslims were a “contemptible little force” (v. 123) at Badr, Allah
granted them victory. According to Islamic tradition, 313 Muslims defeated a
much larger force at Badr, because Allah sent down three thousand angels to
fight alongside the Muslims” (v. 124). This is one reason why superior American
military might doesn’t overawe jihadists today.

One of the main forces in Iraq is named after this battle where the Muslims won a victory though they were out numbered. The reason that we cannot defeat them with force, is that their faith is stronger than our force.