إِذْ جَآءُوكُم مِّن فَوْقِكُمْ وَمِنْ أَسْفَلَ مِنكُمْ وَإِذْ زَاغَتِ ٱلْأَبْصَـٰرُ وَبَلَغَتِ ٱلْقُلُوبُ ٱلْحَنَاجِرَ وَتَظُنُّونَ بِٱللَّهِ ٱلظُّنُونَا۠ 10
Translations
[Remember] when they came at you from above you and from below you, and when eyes shifted [in fear], and hearts reached the throats, and you assumed about Allāh [various] assumptions.
Transliteration
Idh jaa'ookum min fawqikum wa min asfala minkum wa idh zaaghat al-absaar wa balaghat al-quloob al-hanajir wa tazunnoona billah az-zunoon
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the critical moment during the Battle of the Trench (Ghazwat al-Khandaq) when the combined forces of the Quraysh and their allies attacked the Muslims from multiple directions—from above the heights and below the city—causing extreme fear and despair among the believers. The phrase 'the eyes swerved from their courses and the hearts reached the throats' depicts the intense psychological and physical terror experienced, while 'you were entertaining thoughts about Allah' refers to doubts and suspicions that arose in the hearts of some believers during this trial. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize this as a test of faith and patience, where Allah was observing the true nature of believers' trust in Him.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Ahzab (Chapter 33), which was revealed in Medina and specifically references the Battle of the Trench (5 AH/627 CE). The entire surah discusses this pivotal battle when the Quraysh coalition of approximately 10,000 warriors besieged Medina. The Muslims, numbering around 3,000, were protected by a trench dug on the Prophet's instructions, leading to a prolonged siege that tested the faith of the believers severely.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (3954): Anas ibn Malik reported that during the Battle of the Trench, the believers faced extreme hardship and hunger, yet remained steadfast. Additionally, Sunan Ibn Majah contains accounts of the Prophet's companions' fears during this siege and how their faith was strengthened through the trial.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that fear and doubt are natural human responses to extreme trials, but believers are called to transcend these temporary emotions through unwavering trust in Allah's plan and protection. The test of faith is not the absence of fear, but the choice to believe in Allah's wisdom and mercy despite overwhelming circumstances.