Chapter: Reports Concerning the Phrase law ("if only")

The Almighty says: “They say, ‘If only we had had any say in the matter, none of us would have been killed here …’”

The rest of the verse states: “Say, ‘Even if you had been in your houses, those for whom killing had been decreed would have gone forth to their death-beds, so that Allah might test what is in your breasts and purge what is in your hearts; and Allah is All-Knowing of what is hidden in the breasts.’” ⦗Āl ʿImrān 3:154⦘

Relevance of this chapter to the Book of Monotheism: Perfect monotheism requires full submission to the divine decree and destiny. Saying “if only” brings no benefit; it reflects dissatisfaction with what Allah has ordained and thus impairs pure monotheism.

“What has been reported concerning law” means: the threats issued against it and the prohibition of using it.

• “They say” refers to certain hypocrites on the day of Uḥud who objected to the divine decree.
• “If only we had had any share in the affair” – that is, if choice had been left to us.
• “We would not have been killed here” – meaning, we would not have been defeated, nor would those of us who died in this battle have been slain.
• “Even if you had been in your houses” – while among you were those for whom Allah had decreed death.
• “They would have surely gone forth” – i.e., come out.
• “Those for whom it was decreed” – meaning, it had been decided.
• “That they be killed” – among you.
• “To their death-beds” – to the very spots where they were destined to fall; remaining behind would not have saved them.