Surah Aal-i-Imraan
Chapter 3 · Verse 154 · Revealed in Madinah
“Then after distress, He sent down upon you security [in the form of] drowsiness, overcoming a faction of you, while another faction worried about themselves, thinking of Allah other than the truth - the thought of ignorance, saying, "Is there anything for us [to have done] in this matter?" Say, "Indeed, the matter belongs completely to Allah." They conceal within themselves what they will not reveal to you. They say, "If there was anything we could have done in the matter, some of us would not have been killed right here." Say, "Even if you had been inside your houses, those decreed to be killed would have come out to their death beds." [It was] so that Allah might test what is in your breasts and purify what is in your hearts. And Allah is Knowing of that within the breasts.”
Translation: Saheeh International
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Mishary Rashid Alafasy
Reflection — Ibn Kathir
Slumber Overcame the Believers; the Fear that the Hypocrites Suffered
Allah reminds His servants of His favor when He sent down on them tranquillity and slumber that overcame them while they were carrying their weapons and feeling distress and grief. In this case, slumber is a favor and carries meanings of calmness and safety. For instance, Allah said in Surat Al-Anfal about the battle of Badr,
إِذْ يُغَشِّيكُمُ النُّعَاسَ أَمَنَةً مِّنْهُ
Reflection — Maarif ul Quran
The Hardships at Uhud: A Test, not Punishment :
The noble Companions as evident from: وَلِيَبْتَلِيَ اللَّـهُ مَا فِي صُدُورِكُمْ (154), were actually tested through their sufferings at the battle of Uhud. This was no punishment. The objective was to make true and sincere Muslims distinct from the hypocrites. The mode was a 'test of inner qualities'.
What does this verse bring up for you today?