يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِذَا لَقِيتُمْ فِئَةً فَٱثْبُتُوا۟ وَٱذْكُرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ كَثِيرًا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ 45
Translations
O you who have believed, when you encounter a company [from the enemy forces], stand firm and remember Allāh much that you may be successful.
Transliteration
Ya ayyuha alladhina amanu idha laqitum fi'atan fathbitu wadhkuru Allaha kathiran la'allakum tuflihun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the believers to stand firm and remain steadfast when they encounter an enemy force in battle, and to remember Allah abundantly, as this remembrance strengthens resolve and brings success. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that sabr (steadfastness) combined with dhikr (remembrance of Allah) are the dual pillars of victory—psychological fortitude through faith rather than reliance on numbers or military might alone.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the context of the Battle of Badr (2 AH), where the Muslims were vastly outnumbered by the Meccan forces. The surah addresses the believers' preparation for this decisive battle and provides guidance on maintaining spiritual resolve and unity when facing a more numerous enemy.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, though there is good in both' (Sahih Muslim). Additionally, Abu Bakr's counsel at Badr to remain firm illustrates the principle of sabr mentioned in this verse.
Themes
Key Lesson
True victory in life's struggles—whether physical, spiritual, or psychological—comes not from numbers or resources alone, but from unwavering steadfastness rooted in constant remembrance of Allah. This teaches believers that maintaining connection with the Divine through dhikr fortifies the heart and brings success in all righteous endeavors.
Related Ayahs
وَإِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَـٰتُنَا قَالُوا۟ قَدْ سَمِعْنَا لَوْ نَشَآءُ لَقُلْنَا مِثْلَ هَـٰذَآ ۙ إِنْ هَـٰذَآ إِلَّآ أَسَـٰطِيرُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ
And when Our verses are recited to them, they say, "We have heard. If we willed, we could say [something] like this. This is not but legends of the former peoples."
يُجَـٰدِلُونَكَ فِى ٱلْحَقِّ بَعْدَ مَا تَبَيَّنَ كَأَنَّمَا يُسَاقُونَ إِلَى ٱلْمَوْتِ وَهُمْ يَنظُرُونَ
Arguing with you concerning the truth after it had become clear, as if they were being driven toward death while they were looking on.
وَإِمَّا تَخَافَنَّ مِن قَوْمٍ خِيَانَةً فَٱنۢبِذْ إِلَيْهِمْ عَلَىٰ سَوَآءٍ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلْخَآئِنِينَ
If you [have reason to] fear from a people betrayal, throw [their treaty] back to them, [putting you] on equal terms. Indeed, Allāh does not like traitors.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّبِىُّ قُل لِّمَن فِىٓ أَيْدِيكُم مِّنَ ٱلْأَسْرَىٰٓ إِن يَعْلَمِ ٱللَّهُ فِى قُلُوبِكُمْ خَيْرًا يُؤْتِكُمْ خَيْرًا مِّمَّآ أُخِذَ مِنكُمْ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
O Prophet, say to whoever is in your hands of the captives, "If Allāh knows [any] good in your hearts, He will give you [something] better than what was taken from you, and He will forgive you; and Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful."