THE TWO OPPONENT PARTIES

     Most of the commentators have written that the above verse (NO.19) was revealed in the following occasion of the BATTLE OF BADR:ِ

      On the Friday morning of MARCH 624 AD. (17th RAMAZAN 2AH), the Maccans proceeded to capture the water wells in the field of BADR. There they found Muslims firmly on guard! To have access to water, the heathens had no other choice but to fight for it. So was the battle of Badr started, and at first with a number of single combats between the famous champions and veterans of the two antagonist parties. Such was the normal custom of Arabs in their wars.

      ATBEH, from among the idolaters came forth, accompanied by his brother, ``SHAIBEH'' and his son, ``VALID'' and they asked for challengers.

      From among the Muslim troops, the prophet's uncle HAZRAT HAMZIH, and HAZRAT IMAM ALI, and his cousin, ``OBEIDEH'' went to answer them.

      In a fierce fight between the six opponents, Imam Ali (AS) slayed Valid, and Hazrat Hamzeh killed, Shaibeh.

      OBEIDEH who was relatively an old man, was wounded, but Imam Ali (AS) rushed to his aid and thereby ATBEH was also killed. As a result, three of the leading men from among the heathens were killed and a believer injured. To this effect the above verse (NO.19) was sent down.

COMMENTS

      In the previous verse (NO.17) a mention was made of five groups of non-Muslims, who always will stand in opposition against Muslims.

      If we consider their contention with deeper insight, we come to the conclusion that their differences are all about their Lord, and in particular about His Oneness.

      This is because we all look at our Lord from the stand point of our own understandings. It is unfortunately so that, if we ask a cow to describe his Lord for us, she will begin with the description of His great, sharp, and beautiful horns! As a matter of fact our differences are not mainly about religions, but rather about the Oneness of God.
      Here for those who deny God or defy His Oneness, four kinds of severe punishment has been mentioned, namely 1) A clothing of Fire.

2) A shower of boiling water, that melts whatever is in their stomach. 3) Whips of iron 4) And turning them back to their anguish and dreadful abode when they try to get out of it.

      The salty and the sweet water in the sea, are two streams or two streaks, that flow together until the Trumpet is blown for Resurrection of all.

      So are the two antagonist parties, such as Hazrat Imam Ali (AS) and HAZRAT HAMZEH (R.A.) with their opponents, ATBEH and VALID. Generally, the believers and the unbelievers will continue contending about their Lord upto the final judgement in the Resurrection Day, when those who deny God and defy His Will; have to wear their new garment which is cut out of Fire, as a consequence of their evil deeds. This is a punishment that no evil doer can escape it.

      On the contrary, believers who have done good deeds, will enjoy a good, comfortable, and eternal life; in the GARDENS OF BLISS (PARADISE), adorned with costly ornaments, clothed with beautiful silks, and guided to purity of speech, and to a praiseworthy path.