Hazrat Sha’bi says that when it was the day of Uhud and the polytheists had retreated, the Muslims saw their brothers in the worst state of mutilation. The polytheists had cut off the ears and noses of the Muslims and had ripped open their bellies. The companions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: If Allah grants us power over them, we will certainly do the same to them. And we will certainly do the same to them. Allah revealed this verse: { وَإِنْ عَاقَبْتُمْ فَعَاقِبُوا بِمِثْلِ مَا عُوقِبْتُمْ بِہِ، وَلَئِنْ صَبَرْتُمْ لَہُوَ خَیْرٌ لِلصَّابِرِینَ } The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Rather, we will be patient.