إِذْ تَقُولُ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَلَن يَكْفِيَكُمْ أَن يُمِدَّكُمْ رَبُّكُم بِثَلَـٰثَةِ ءَالَـٰفٍ مِّنَ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ مُنزَلِينَ 124
Translations
[Remember] when you said to the believers, "Is it not sufficient for you that your Lord should reinforce you with three thousand angels sent down?
Transliteration
Idh taqoolu lilmu'minina alan yakfiyakum an yuMiddakum rabbukum bithalaathati alafin minal-mala'ikati munzalin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the Battle of Badr when the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) reassured the believers by informing them that Allah would aid them with three thousand angels sent down from heaven. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note this was a divine promise of supernatural support during a critical moment when the Muslims were vastly outnumbered. The ayah emphasizes Allah's direct intervention on behalf of the faithful and His promise to strengthen those who believe in Him.
Revelation Context
This ayah is specifically related to the Battle of Badr (2 AH), the first major military confrontation between the Muslims of Medina and the Quraysh of Mecca. The context occurs as the Prophet encourages his followers before battle, reminding them of divine assistance. The subsequent ayah (3:125) conditions this aid upon the believers maintaining taqwa (God-consciousness) and patience.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari records that during the Battle of Badr, the Prophet made du'a (supplication) asking Allah for help, and angels were indeed sent to assist the Muslims. Additionally, Jami' at-Tirmidhi contains reports about the role of angels at Badr in strengthening the believers' resolve and causing confusion among the enemy ranks.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that believers need not fear overwhelming odds when they place their trust in Allah, for divine support transcends physical limitations; it reminds modern Muslims that spiritual resources and divine assistance are available to those who remain steadfast in faith.
Related Ayahs
فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌۢ بِٱلْمُفْسِدِينَ
But if they turn away, then indeed - Allāh is Knowing of the corrupters.
تُولِجُ ٱلَّيْلَ فِى ٱلنَّهَارِ وَتُولِجُ ٱلنَّهَارَ فِى ٱلَّيْلِ ۖ وَتُخْرِجُ ٱلْحَىَّ مِنَ ٱلْمَيِّتِ وَتُخْرِجُ ٱلْمَيِّتَ مِنَ ٱلْحَىِّ ۖ وَتَرْزُقُ مَن تَشَآءُ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ
You cause the night to enter the day, and You cause the day to enter the night; and You bring the living out of the dead, and You bring the dead out of the living. And You give provision to whom You will without account [i.e., limit or measure]."
تِلْكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱللَّهِ نَتْلُوهَا عَلَيْكَ بِٱلْحَقِّ ۗ وَمَا ٱللَّهُ يُرِيدُ ظُلْمًا لِّلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
These are the verses of Allāh. We recite them to you, [O Muḥammad], in truth; and Allāh wants no injustice to the worlds [i.e., His creatures].
يَـٰٓأَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ لِمَ تَكْفُرُونَ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَأَنتُمْ تَشْهَدُونَ
O People of the Scripture, why do you disbelieve in the verses of Allāh while you witness [to their truth]?