Muhammad: Break with the JewsThe remainder of Qur'an 3 (vv. 112f)Qur'an 3 (vv. 112f)Qur'an 3 (vv. 112f)Qur'an 3 (vv. 112f) is thought by some to have been
revealed after the battle of Uhud. The vv. 112f speak of unbel^242 ievers,
v. 114 dictates that believers are only to make friends with believers, and
vv. 115f shows that some believers liked unbelievers. The vv. 117f refer to
the battle of Uhud, v. 119 alludes to the battle of Badr, v. 120 states that
3000 angels helped the Muslims at Badr (cf. 8:9 - "1000" instead of
"3000"), v. 121 says that God would help them with 5000 angels if the
Muslims would remain steadfast and godfearing. The vv. 125f are against
usury and in favor of making contributions, v. 133 tells of victory for those
who remain believers, and the vv. 134f essentially describe war as being
(necessary) for the selection of martyrs and destruction of the enemy. The
v. 138 implies Muhammad's mortality, and v. 139 says that death^243 is only
by God's permission. The v. 140 speaks of many prophets having been
helped by myriads (of angels) in battle, and v. 141 gives the alleged prayer
of the prophets in which, among other things, forgiveness of sins is
requested. The v. 142 commands believers not to obey unbelievers, v. 143
presents God as Lord and Helper, and v. 144 states that unbelievers will go
to Hell. The vv. 145f refer to the battle of Uhud in saying that God had kept
His promise and all went well until some Muslims disagreed with a com-
mand and rebelled. The v. 148 shows the regrets of some Muslims that they
had fought (at Uhud), and replies that death is predestined. In v. 149 Satan
is said to have made some (Muslims) retreat (at Uhud), and the vv. 150f
return to the theme of Muslim regrets and predestination. The v. 153 shows
Muhammad's compassion on his soldiers, and v. 154 encourages trust in
God. The v. 155 seems to indicate that Muhammad was accused of fraud
with respect to booty. The vv. 158f give a brief recapitulat^244 ion of
Muhammad's ministry, make an allusion to the Muslim victory at Badr and
then speak of the loss at Uhud. The v. 162 speaks again of the regrets of
some of the Muslim soldiers (cf. vv. 148, 150), and v. 166 makes allusion
to the defeat at Uhud. The v. 169 says that the believers were to fear
Muhammad, and v. 174 gives the commandment to believe God and
Muhammad. The vv. 175f encourage contributions, and v. 177 seems to
have been levelled at the Jews (the accusation of killing the prophets). The
Sira traditions describe an event with respect to this verse. The^245 statement
in v. 179, which seems to have come from the Jews, that they would accept
no prophet until fire was sent down from heaven to consume a sacrifice,
appears to refer to Elijah (cf. I Kg. 18:21f), and v. 180 says that (even)
prophets sent with signs were murdered (by the Jews). The vv. 182f speak
of Judgment. The vv. 184f deal with the Jews, who were commmanded to
proclaim God's Word and not to hide it, but they refused and resorted to