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
۞ وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّمَا غَنِمْتُم مِّن شَىْءٍ فَأَنَّ لِلَّهِ خُمُسَهُۥ وَلِلرَّسُولِ وَلِذِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَٱلْيَتَـٰمَىٰ وَٱلْمَسَـٰكِينِ وَٱبْنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ إِن كُنتُمْ ءَامَنتُم بِٱللَّهِ وَمَآ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَىٰ عَبْدِنَا يَوْمَ ٱلْفُرْقَانِ يَوْمَ ٱلْتَقَى ٱلْجَمْعَانِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
And know that anything you obtain of war booty - then indeed, for Allāh is one fifth of it and for the Messenger and for [his] near relatives and the orphans, the needy, and the [stranded] traveler, if you have believed in Allāh and in that which We sent down to Our Servant on the day of criterion [i.e., decisive encounter] - the day when the two armies met [at Badr]. And Allāh, over all things, is competent.
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."
أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ حَقًّا ۚ لَّهُمْ دَرَجَـٰتٌ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ وَمَغْفِرَةٌ وَرِزْقٌ كَرِيمٌ
Those are the believers, truly. For them are degrees [of high position] with their Lord and forgiveness and noble provision.
فَإِمَّا تَثْقَفَنَّهُمْ فِى ٱلْحَرْبِ فَشَرِّدْ بِهِم مَّنْ خَلْفَهُمْ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَذَّكَّرُونَ
So if you, [O Muḥammad], gain dominance over them in war, disperse by [means of] them those behind them that perhaps they will be reminded.