“…This is a plain statement for mankind...”

“Many similar ways were faced by nations (believers and disbelievers) that have passed away before you, so travel through the earth, and see what was the end of those who disbelieved. This is a plain statement for mankind, a guidance and instruction to those who are muttaqeen. So do not become weak, nor be sad, and you will be superior if you are indeed believers.” [3:137-139]

“If a wound has touched you, be assured a similar wound has touched the others. And so are the days, that We give to men by turns, that Allah may test those who believe, and that He may take shuhada (martyrs) from among you. And Allah does not like the wrong-doers (those who commit shirk and Kuffr). And that Allah may test the believers and destroy the disbelievers. Or do you think that you will enter Jannah before Allah tests those of you who fought and tests those who are patient? And indeed you used to long for death (shahadah) before you met it. Now you have seen it with your own eyes.”

Allah states to His believing servants who suffered losses in the battle of Uhud, including seventy dead: Many similar ways were faced before you, for the previous nations who followed their prophets before you, they too suffered losses. However, the good end was theirs, and the ultimate defeat was for the disbelievers. This is why Allah said: “…so travel through the earth, and see what was the end of those who disbelieved.”

Allah said next: “…This is a plain statement for mankind,” meaning, the Qur’an explains the true reality of things and narrates how the previous nations suffered by the hands of their enemies. “And a guidance and instruction,” for the Qur’an contains the news of the past, and “guidance” for your hearts and instruction for the muttaqeen to discourage committing the prohibited and forbidden matters.  Allah comforts the believers by saying: “So do not become weak,”  because of what you suffered, “nor be sad, and you will be superior if you are indeed believers.” For without doubt, the ultimate victory and triumph will be yours, O believers.

"If a wound (and killing) has touched you, be sure a similar wound (and killing) has touched the others. And so are the days (good and not so good), We give to men by turns, that Allah may test those who believe, and that He may take martyrs from among you. And Allah likes not the Zalimoon (polytheists and wrong­doers)." [3:140]

“If a wound has touched you, be assured a similar wound has touched the others.” Therefore, the Ayah says, if you suffered injuries and some of you were killed, then your enemies also suffered injuries and fatalities. “And so are the days, that We give to men by turns,” and at times – out of (divine) wisdom – We allow the enemy to overcome you, although the final good end will be yours. “…that Allah may test those who believe.” According to ibn Abbas, meaning, “So that We find out who would be patient while fighting the enemies.”

“…and that He may take shuhada (martyrs) from among you,” those who would be killed in the path Allah and gladly offer their lives seeking His pleasure. “And Allah does not like the wrongdoers. And that Allah may test the believers,” by forgiving them their sins if they have any. Otherwise, Allah will raise their ranks according to the losses they suffered. Allah’s statement: “and destroy the disbelievers,” for it is their conduct that if they gain the upper hand, they transgress and commit aggression. However, this conduct only leads to ultimate destruction, extermination, perishing, and dying out.

Allah then said: “Or do you think that you will enter Jannah before Allah tests those of you who fought and tests those who are patient?” The Ayah asks, do you think that you will enter Paradise without being tested with warfare and hardships. Allah said in Surah al-Baqarah: “Or do you think that you will enter Paradise without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? They were afflicted with severe poverty and ailments and were so shaken…” Allah said: “Do people think that they will be left alone because they say, ‘We believe,’ and will not be tested?'” This is why He said here: “Or do you think that you will enter Jannah before Allah tests those of you who fought and tests those who are patient?” Meaning, you will not earn Paradise until you are tested and thus Allah knows who among you are the ones who struggle and fight in His cause and are patient in the face of the enemy.

Allah said: “And indeed you used to long for death (shahadah) before you met it. Now you have seen it with your own eyes.” [3:143] The Ayah proclaims: O believers! Before today, you wished that you could meet the enemy and were eager to fight them. What you wished has occurred, so fight them and be patient. In the two books of sahih narrations it is recorded that the Messenger of Allah (saws) said, “Do not wish to encounter the enemy, and ask Allah for your well-being. However, if you do encounter them, then observe patience and know that Paradise is under the shade of swords.” This is why Allah said here: “Now you have seen it,” death, you saw it when the swords appeared, the blades were sharpened, the spears crisscrossed, and men stood in lines for battle. This part of the Ayah contains a figure of speech that mentions imagining what can be felt but not seen.

[Tafsir Ibn Kathir (Surah Al ‘Imran: 139-143)]