إِذْ تَسْتَغِيثُونَ رَبَّكُمْ فَٱسْتَجَابَ لَكُمْ أَنِّى مُمِدُّكُم بِأَلْفٍ مِّنَ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ مُرْدِفِينَ 9
Translations
[Remember] when you were asking help of your Lord, and He answered you, "Indeed, I will reinforce you with a thousand from the angels, following one another."
Transliteration
Idh tastagh īthūna rabbakum fastajāba lakum annī mumdiddukum bi-alf min al-malā'ikah murdifīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the Battle of Badr when the believers called upon Allah for help, and He responded by sending one thousand angels to reinforce them and bring about victory. Ibn Kathir emphasizes that this divine assistance was a manifestation of Allah's support for the believers during their most critical moment, while Al-Qurtubi notes that the angels came in successive waves (murdifīn) to ensure continuous support throughout the battle.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Anfal, which was revealed after the Battle of Badr (2 AH), the first major military victory of the Muslims. The ayah specifically references the du'a (supplication) of the believers during this battle when they were vastly outnumbered (approximately 313 Muslims against 1000 Quraysh), establishing the historical and spiritual significance of reliance upon Allah during times of difficulty.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Muslim reports from Ibn Abbas that the Prophet (peace be upon him) saw the angels on the day of Badr, and Jibril informed him of their arrival. Additionally, the hadith in Sunan Ibn Majah mentions that the angels were instructed not to kill except in defense, highlighting the divine wisdom in their deployment.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that when facing overwhelming challenges, sincere supplication to Allah combined with righteous effort can bring unexpected divine aid and victory. It reinforces the principle that material disadvantage is insignificant when one has Allah's support, encouraging modern Muslims to maintain unwavering faith during difficulties.
Related Ayahs
ذَٰلِكُمْ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ مُوهِنُ كَيْدِ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ
That [is so], and [also] that Allāh will weaken the plot of the disbelievers.
وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مِنۢ بَعْدُ وَهَاجَرُوا۟ وَجَـٰهَدُوا۟ مَعَكُمْ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ مِنكُمْ ۚ وَأُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَرْحَامِ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلَىٰ بِبَعْضٍ فِى كِتَـٰبِ ٱللَّهِ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمٌۢ
And those who believed after [the initial emigration] and emigrated and fought with you - they are of you. But those of [blood] relationship are more entitled [to inheritance] in the decree of Allāh. Indeed, Allāh is Knowing of all things.
يَسْـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلْأَنفَالِ ۖ قُلِ ٱلْأَنفَالُ لِلَّهِ وَٱلرَّسُولِ ۖ فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَصْلِحُوا۟ ذَاتَ بَيْنِكُمْ ۖ وَأَطِيعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥٓ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ
They ask you, [O Muḥammad], about the bounties [of war]. Say, "The [decision concerning] bounties is for Allāh and the Messenger." So fear Allāh and amend that which is between you and obey Allāh and His Messenger, if you should be believers.
وَلَوْ تَرَىٰٓ إِذْ يَتَوَفَّى ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ ۙ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ يَضْرِبُونَ وُجُوهَهُمْ وَأَدْبَـٰرَهُمْ وَذُوقُوا۟ عَذَابَ ٱلْحَرِيقِ
And if you could but see when the angels take the souls of those who disbelieved... They are striking their faces and their backs and [saying], "Taste the punishment of the Burning Fire.