أَمْ يَقُولُونَ نَحْنُ جَمِيعٌ مُّنتَصِرٌ 44
Translations
Or do they say, "We are an assembly supporting [each other]"?
Transliteration
Am yaqulūna naḥnu jamīʿun muntaṣir
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah presents a rhetorical question rebuking the disbelievers of Mecca who arrogantly claimed that their united strength would make them victorious against the Prophet Muhammad and the Muslims. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as Allah's challenge to their false confidence, emphasizing that numerical strength and unity mean nothing without divine support. The ayah serves as a reminder that worldly power and collective force cannot stand against Allah's will and His protected messenger.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Qamar, a Meccan chapter that addresses the rejection and arrogance of the disbelievers during the early Islamic period in Mecca. The broader context of the surah emphasizes the certainty of punishment for those who reject the message, with repeated refrain 'So is there any that will remember?' The ayah specifically targets the Quraysh's collective confidence in their ability to resist Islam through numbers and alliances.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Whoever follows the Quran will be guided to the paths of Paradise' (Tirmidhi). Additionally, the theme relates to Surah Al-Fil (Chapter 105) regarding how numerical strength and material power are ineffective against Allah's will, as seen in the hadith about the Year of the Elephant when Abraha's massive army was defeated.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should never place ultimate reliance on numbers, wealth, or worldly alliances, recognizing that true victory comes only through obedience to Allah and adherence to His guidance. This ayah teaches humility and warns against the spiritual danger of arrogance, regardless of one's apparent strength or status in society.