۞ فَلَمَّآ أَحَسَّ عِيسَىٰ مِنْهُمُ ٱلْكُفْرَ قَالَ مَنْ أَنصَارِىٓ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ ۖ قَالَ ٱلْحَوَارِيُّونَ نَحْنُ أَنصَارُ ٱللَّهِ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ وَٱشْهَدْ بِأَنَّا مُسْلِمُونَ 52
Translations
But when Jesus felt [persistence in] disbelief from them, he said, "Who are my supporters for [the cause of] Allāh?" The disciples said, "We are supporters for Allāh. We have believed in Allāh and testify that we are Muslims [submitting to Him].
Transliteration
Falamma ahassa 'Isa minhumu al-kufra qala man ansari ila Allah, qala al-hawariyyun nahnu ansaru Allah amanna billahi wa ashhad bi-anna muslimun
Tafsir (Explanation)
When Jesus perceived disbelief from his people, he called out asking who would be his helpers toward Allah's cause. The disciples (al-hawariyyun) immediately responded with unwavering commitment, declaring themselves as helpers of Allah who believed in Him and testifying to their submission to Him. This ayah illustrates the loyalty and courage of the disciples in supporting Jesus's message despite widespread rejection, and their explicit declaration of complete submission (Islam) to Allah's will.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the Medinan Surah Ali 'Imran and occurs within the broader narrative discussing Jesus and his message. The context addresses how Jesus faced rejection from the Children of Israel, yet found steadfast supporters among his chosen disciples. This passage reinforces the Quranic theme that prophets face opposition, but Allah provides them with faithful believers to aid them.
Related Hadiths
The Quran itself emphasizes the disciples' role in Surah 5:111 where Allah says He inspired the disciples with belief and support. Additionally, Surah 61:14 mentions: 'O you who have believed, be helpers of Allah, as when Jesus, the son of Mary, said to the disciples, "Who are my helpers toward Allah?"' establishing the disciples as exemplars of divine support.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that true faith requires active commitment and willingness to support Allah's message despite opposition and social pressure. The disciples' immediate, decisive response offers a model for believers today—to recognize truth when presented and to stand firmly alongside it, even when facing rejection from society.
Related Ayahs
رَّبَّنَآ إِنَّنَا سَمِعْنَا مُنَادِيًا يُنَادِى لِلْإِيمَـٰنِ أَنْ ءَامِنُوا۟ بِرَبِّكُمْ فَـَٔامَنَّا ۚ رَبَّنَا فَٱغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَكَفِّرْ عَنَّا سَيِّـَٔاتِنَا وَتَوَفَّنَا مَعَ ٱلْأَبْرَارِ
Our Lord, indeed we have heard a caller [i.e., Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ)] calling to faith, [saying], 'Believe in your Lord,' and we have believed. Our Lord, so forgive us our sins and remove from us our misdeeds and cause us to die among the righteous.
لَيْسَ لَكَ مِنَ ٱلْأَمْرِ شَىْءٌ أَوْ يَتُوبَ عَلَيْهِمْ أَوْ يُعَذِّبَهُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ ظَـٰلِمُونَ
Not for you, [O Muḥammad, but for Allāh], is the decision whether He should [cut them down] or forgive them or punish them, for indeed, they are wrongdoers.
وَلَا يَأْمُرَكُمْ أَن تَتَّخِذُوا۟ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةَ وَٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ أَرْبَابًا ۗ أَيَأْمُرُكُم بِٱلْكُفْرِ بَعْدَ إِذْ أَنتُم مُّسْلِمُونَ
Nor could he order you to take the angels and prophets as lords. Would he order you to disbelief after you had been Muslims?
إِن يَنصُرْكُمُ ٱللَّهُ فَلَا غَالِبَ لَكُمْ ۖ وَإِن يَخْذُلْكُمْ فَمَن ذَا ٱلَّذِى يَنصُرُكُم مِّنۢ بَعْدِهِۦ ۗ وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ
If Allāh should aid you, no one can overcome you; but if He should forsake you, who is there that can aid you after Him? And upon Allāh let the believers rely.