بَلَىٰٓ ۚ إِن تَصْبِرُوا۟ وَتَتَّقُوا۟ وَيَأْتُوكُم مِّن فَوْرِهِمْ هَـٰذَا يُمْدِدْكُمْ رَبُّكُم بِخَمْسَةِ ءَالَـٰفٍ مِّنَ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ مُسَوِّمِينَ 125
Translations
Yes, if you remain patient and conscious of Allāh and they [i.e., the enemy] come upon you [attacking] in rage, your Lord will reinforce you with five thousand angels having marks [of distinction]."
Transliteration
Balā, in tasbiru wa tattaqū wa yā'tūkum min fawrihim hādhā yumdidkum rabbukum bikhamsati ālāfi min al-malā'ikati musawwimīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah responds affirmatively to the believers' concern about facing an overwhelming enemy force at the Battle of Uhud, assuring them that if they exercise patience (sabr) and piety (taqwā), Allah will reinforce them with five thousand marked angels. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari note this refers to divine support contingent upon the Muslims' righteousness, though some interpret 'musawwimin' (marked/distinguished) as angels identifiable by their appearance or purpose. The condition emphasizes that victory is not merely military but spiritual, dependent on the believers' steadfastness and God-consciousness.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the Medinan period regarding the Battle of Uhud (3 AH / 625 CE), where the Muslims faced a Meccan force of approximately 3,000 men with 700 Muslim warriors. The verse occurs within a passage addressing the believers' fears about numerical disadvantage and encouraging them with the promise of angelic assistance, contingent upon their obedience and trust in Allah.
Related Hadiths
Sunan Ibn Majah and other sources contain reports that at Uhud, the angels did indeed fight alongside the believers, though the promised five thousand angels came conditionally based on the Muslims maintaining their positions. The hadith in Sahih Muslim mentions that the Prophet (ﷺ) placed an archer contingent with strict orders not to leave their position, directly relating to the theme of patience and discipline in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that victory and divine aid are not determined solely by material strength or numbers, but by spiritual preparation through patience and God-consciousness; modern readers should recognize that facing life's challenges requires both practical effort and unwavering faith, knowing that help comes to those who remain steadfast in righteousness.
Related Ayahs
وَكَأَيِّن مِّن نَّبِىٍّ قَـٰتَلَ مَعَهُۥ رِبِّيُّونَ كَثِيرٌ فَمَا وَهَنُوا۟ لِمَآ أَصَابَهُمْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَمَا ضَعُفُوا۟ وَمَا ٱسْتَكَانُوا۟ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يُحِبُّ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ
And how many a prophet [fought in battle and] with him fought many religious scholars. But they never lost assurance due to what afflicted them in the cause of Allāh, nor did they weaken or submit. And Allāh loves the steadfast.
رَبَّنَا لَا تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا وَهَبْ لَنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلْوَهَّابُ
[Who say], "Our Lord, let not our hearts deviate after You have guided us and grant us from Yourself mercy. Indeed, You are the Bestower.
الٓمٓ
Alif, Lām, Meem.
وَلَا يَحْسَبَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ أَنَّمَا نُمْلِى لَهُمْ خَيْرٌ لِّأَنفُسِهِمْ ۚ إِنَّمَا نُمْلِى لَهُمْ لِيَزْدَادُوٓا۟ إِثْمًا ۚ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُّهِينٌ
And let not those who disbelieve ever think that [because] We extend their time [of enjoyment] it is better for them. We only extend it for them so that they may increase in sin, and for them is a humiliating punishment.