۞ 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
يَخْتَصُّ بِرَحْمَتِهِۦ مَن يَشَآءُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ ذُو ٱلْفَضْلِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ
He selects for His mercy whom He wills. And Allāh is the possessor of great bounty.
وَلِيَعْلَمَ ٱلَّذِينَ نَافَقُوا۟ ۚ وَقِيلَ لَهُمْ تَعَالَوْا۟ قَـٰتِلُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ أَوِ ٱدْفَعُوا۟ ۖ قَالُوا۟ لَوْ نَعْلَمُ قِتَالًا لَّٱتَّبَعْنَـٰكُمْ ۗ هُمْ لِلْكُفْرِ يَوْمَئِذٍ أَقْرَبُ مِنْهُمْ لِلْإِيمَـٰنِ ۚ يَقُولُونَ بِأَفْوَٰهِهِم مَّا لَيْسَ فِى قُلُوبِهِمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا يَكْتُمُونَ
And that He might make evident those who are hypocrites. For it was said to them, "Come, fight in the way of Allāh or [at least] defend." They said, "If we had known [there would be] battle, we would have followed you." They were nearer to disbelief that day than to faith, saying with their mouths what was not in their hearts. And Allāh is most knowing of what they conceal -
قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ سُنَنٌ فَسِيرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَٱنظُرُوا۟ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلْمُكَذِّبِينَ
Similar situations [as yours] have passed on before you, so proceed throughout the earth and observe how was the end of those who denied.
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.