وَلاَ تَهِنُوا { So do not weaken} : It is related to the weakness of body.

وَلاَ تَحْزَنُوا  {and do not grieve}: It is related to the sadness of the heart.

So, there was weakness, even that the Prophet (saws), got his incisors broken, and his honorable face bled, and the battle was fierce for the believers at that time. The speech was for the category of believers who attended the battle, but the Qur’anic speech always contains a specialty in reason and generality in the meaning.

Here we must go into the deep meaning in the Holy Qur’an, as it is very important, when we read the verse, we must bear in mind that Allah (swt) is the speaker, so all the problems that happen to us occur because when we read the Qur’an, sadly we read it as if it is a book written by humans, whereas, we must know that this speech is the word of Allah (swt) so it comprehends all times and places, so we have to look for the deep meanings. Now the talk is about Uhud, but it is related to all believers, at all times, for example when the Prophet (saws) says:

“He who is desirous that his means of sustenance should be expanded for him or his age may be lengthened, should join the tie of relationship.”[1]

Does the age expand by joining the tie of relationship? Do we not know that the death time is written? So how does the relationship with relatives extend his life? How does it expand his means of sustenance?

We notice the depth of the prophetic speech; because his words are from the divine:

وَمَا يَنطِقُ عَنِ الْهَوَى (3) إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا وَحْيٌ يُوحَى

{Nor does he speak from [his own] inclination. 4) It is not but a revelation revealed,} (An-Najm: 3)

When the Prophet (saws) says that joining the tie of relationship extends life, that means it extends it in depth, not in the duration of time because the length of life was already determined:

لِكُلِّ أَجَلٍ كِتَابٌ

{For every term is a decree.} (Ar-Ra’d: 38)

But it extends life with its effect, because when you join the tie of relationship, your remembrance will remain for a longer time. Hence, we must always look at the depth of the words and the meanings, not at the literal one only

وَلاَ تَهِنُوا {So do not weaken}: What is meant here is in any battle, and in any matter, do not be weak and do not grieve, if you are with Allah (swt) you are the superior.

Reason of revelation:

Abu Sufyan stood after the Battle of Uhud and said: “Glory to Hubal (their greatest idol), Glory to Hubal.”

Allah’s Messenger then said to his companions:

“Aren’t you going to respond to him?”

The Companions said: “What should we say, O Messenger of Allah?” He said:

“Say: “Allah is Most High and Most Glorious.”

Then Abu Sufyan said: “We have Al-`Uzza (their second idol), and you have no `Uzza. (Lord).”

Allah’s Messenger said to his companions:

“Aren’t you all going to respond to him?”

They said: “What should we say, O Messenger of Allah”?”

He said:

“Say: “Allah is our Lord, and you have no Lord.”[2]

وَأَنتُمُ الأَعْلَوْنَ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ {you will be superior if you are [true] believers.}: Even if you are defeated, this is a general and specific meaning at the same time then ALLAH (swt) continues to heal these wounds:

[1] Sahih Al-Bukhari, Book of: Good Behaviour, Chapter of: Who is desirous that his means of substance should be expanded by joining his relatives, Hadith No. 5639.

[2] Sahih Al-Bukhari: Book of Jihad, Hadith No. 2874.