۞ 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
ٱلَّذِينَ يَذْكُرُونَ ٱللَّهَ قِيَـٰمًا وَقُعُودًا وَعَلَىٰ جُنُوبِهِمْ وَيَتَفَكَّرُونَ فِى خَلْقِ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ رَبَّنَا مَا خَلَقْتَ هَـٰذَا بَـٰطِلًا سُبْحَـٰنَكَ فَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ
Who remember Allāh while standing or sitting or [lying] on their sides and give thought to the creation of the heavens and the earth, [saying], "Our Lord, You did not create this aimlessly; exalted are You [above such a thing]; then protect us from the punishment of the Fire.
فَلَمَّا وَضَعَتْهَا قَالَتْ رَبِّ إِنِّى وَضَعْتُهَآ أُنثَىٰ وَٱللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا وَضَعَتْ وَلَيْسَ ٱلذَّكَرُ كَٱلْأُنثَىٰ ۖ وَإِنِّى سَمَّيْتُهَا مَرْيَمَ وَإِنِّىٓ أُعِيذُهَا بِكَ وَذُرِّيَّتَهَا مِنَ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنِ ٱلرَّجِيمِ
But when she delivered her, she said, "My Lord, I have delivered a female." And Allāh was most knowing of what she delivered, and the male is not like the female. "And I have named her Mary, and I seek refuge for her in You and [for] her descendants from Satan, the expelled [from the mercy of Allāh]."
كَيْفَ يَهْدِى ٱللَّهُ قَوْمًا كَفَرُوا۟ بَعْدَ إِيمَـٰنِهِمْ وَشَهِدُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱلرَّسُولَ حَقٌّ وَجَآءَهُمُ ٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتُ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
How shall Allāh guide a people who disbelieved after their belief and had witnessed that the Messenger is true and clear signs had come to them? And Allāh does not guide the wrongdoing people.
وَلَا تُؤْمِنُوٓا۟ إِلَّا لِمَن تَبِعَ دِينَكُمْ قُلْ إِنَّ ٱلْهُدَىٰ هُدَى ٱللَّهِ أَن يُؤْتَىٰٓ أَحَدٌ مِّثْلَ مَآ أُوتِيتُمْ أَوْ يُحَآجُّوكُمْ عِندَ رَبِّكُمْ ۗ قُلْ إِنَّ ٱلْفَضْلَ بِيَدِ ٱللَّهِ يُؤْتِيهِ مَن يَشَآءُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ وَٰسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ
And do not trust except those who follow your religion." Say, "Indeed, the [true] guidance is the guidance of Allāh. [Do you fear] lest someone be given [knowledge] like you were given or that they would [thereby] argue with you before your Lord?" Say, "Indeed, [all] bounty is in the hand of Allāh - He grants it to whom He wills. And Allāh is all-Encompassing and Wise."