as ‘Abd Allāh ibn Ubayy and others said on the day of Uhud—they are like those who “said of their brothers, while they themselves stayed behind, ‘Had they obeyed us, they would not have been killed.’”

In either case, their statement, “This is from you,” is an attack on the faith and jihad that Allah and His Messenger commanded. It portrays these as the cause of the calamities that befall obedient believers, such as those that befell them on the day of Uhud. At other times, calamities befall their enemies, and the disbelievers say, “This is because these people bring ill fortune,” just as the people of the town said to the messengers:

“Indeed, we regard you as an evil omen.”

Likewise, Allah Most High said of Pharaoh’s people:

“When good came to them, they said, ‘This is ours.’ But whenever evil befell them, they regarded Moses and those with him as an evil omen. Surely their fate is with Allah, but most of them do not know.”

Allah Most High also said of the people of Sālih:

“They said, ‘We regard you and those with you as an evil omen.’ He said, ‘Your fate is with Allah. Rather, you are a people being tested.’”

And when the people of the town said:

“Indeed, we regard you as an evil omen. If you do not desist, we will surely stone you, and a painful punishment from us will surely afflict you,”

the messengers replied:

“Your ill fortune is with yourselves. Is it because you have been reminded? Rather, you are a people who transgress all bounds.”

Concerning His words, “Surely their fate is with Allah,” al-Dahhāk said: “This means that the matter comes from Allah. Whatever befalls you comes from Allah because of what your hands have earned.”