God gives the Muslims an example drawn from the history of fellow believers. The procession of faith, composed of believers, dates back to the very beginning of time. There were people who were true to their word, firm believers who fought alongside the Prophets sent to them and they never weakened in times of adversity. As they stared death in the face, they demonstrated their awareness of their true position when they fought in God’s cause and lived in accordance with the teachings of their faith. They said no more than a prayer to God to forgive them.
They enlarged their slips in behaviour and attitude, so as to describe them as
“excesses”. They also prayed to God to make their steps firm and to grant them
victory. This earned for them the reward of this life and that of the life to come,
because they combined the right attitude in battle and the right attitude in their
prayers. Thus, they have provided an example which God cites here for the Muslims.
Many a Prophet has fought with many devout men alongside him. They never lost heart on account of what they had to suffer in God’s cause, and neither did they weaken nor succumb. God loves those who are patient in adversity. All that they said was this: “Our Lord! Forgive us our sins and our excesses in our affairs. Make firm our steps, and give us victory over the unbelievers.” God has granted them the reward of this life and the best reward of the life to come. God loves those who do their duty well. (Quran:146-8)
Lessons from the History of Prophets history lessons messengers of god