The Holy Quran 3:159 — Surah Ali 'Imran

Arabic text

فَبِمَا رَحْمَةٍ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ لِنتَ لَهُمْ ۖ وَلَوْ كُنتَ فَظًّا غَلِيظَ ٱلْقَلْبِ لَٱنفَضُّوا۟ مِنْ حَوْلِكَ ۖ فَٱعْفُ عَنْهُمْ وَٱسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ وَشَاوِرْهُمْ فِى ٱلْأَمْرِ ۖ فَإِذَا عَزَمْتَ فَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُتَوَكِّلِينَ

Translation

It is because of the mercy of Allaah that you (O Muhammad ﷺ) are lenient (gentle, forgiving, soft-hearted) with them (with the Sahabah رضي الله عنهم). If you had been ill-tempered and hard-hearted, they would have all dispersed (run away) from you. So pardon them, seek forgiveness for them and consult with them in matters (Rasulullaah ﷺ therefore consulted with the Sahabah رضي الله عنهم very often. When you have taken a firm decision (after consulting with the knowledgeable ones), then place your trust in Allaah (and not on your own resources and decision). Verily Allaah loves those who place their trust in Him (and will surely assist them).

Tafsir (excerpt) — Tafsir Usmani

A gentle-natured Prophet ﷺ like you was granted to them by the mercy of Allah: after warning the Muslims about their shortcomings and announcing forgiveness, [Allah] had advised them in future not to be deceived by the words of this group, a snake in the sleeve. In this verse the pardon of their shortcoming has been completed.

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