They did so, and they met them and defeated them, just as the Messenger of Allah had said. However, they pursued those who were fleeing for two reasons: some of them said, "They are polytheists and Allah has given us power over their backs (rear), so let us kill them," and they killed them with the intention of reward. Others killed them to seek spoils. Consequently, the polytheists turned back against them and defeated them, until they ascended mount Uhud; and this is His saying: [Verse 152].
فَفَعَلُوا فلقوهم فهزموهم؛ كَمَا قَالَ رَسُول الله فأتبعوا المدبرين على وَجْهَيْن: أما بَعضهم: فَقَالُوا: مشركون وَقد أمكننا الله من أدبارهم فنقتلهم، فَقَتَلُوهُمْ على وَجه الْحِسْبَة، وَأما بَعضهم: فَقَتَلُوهُمْ لطلب الْغَنِيمَة، فَرجع الْمُشْركُونَ عَلَيْهِم فهزموهم، حَتَّى صعدوا أحدا؛ وَهُوَ قَوْله: [آيَة ١٥٢]
