يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُونُوٓا۟ أَنصَارَ ٱللَّهِ كَمَا قَالَ عِيسَى ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ لِلْحَوَارِيِّـۧنَ مَنْ أَنصَارِىٓ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ ۖ قَالَ ٱلْحَوَارِيُّونَ نَحْنُ أَنصَارُ ٱللَّهِ ۖ فَـَٔامَنَت طَّآئِفَةٌ مِّنۢ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ وَكَفَرَت طَّآئِفَةٌ ۖ فَأَيَّدْنَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ عَلَىٰ عَدُوِّهِمْ فَأَصْبَحُوا۟ ظَـٰهِرِينَ 14
Translations
O you who have believed, be supporters of Allāh, as when Jesus, the son of Mary, said to the disciples, "Who are my supporters for Allāh?" The disciples said, "We are supporters of Allāh." And a faction of the Children of Israel believed and a faction disbelieved. So We supported those who believed against their enemy, and they became dominant.
Transliteration
Ya ayyuha alladhina amanu kunu ansara Allah kama qala Isa ibnu Maryama lilhawariyyina man ansari ila Allah qala alhawariyyun nahnu ansaru Allah fa amana taifatun min bani Isra'il wa kafarat taifah fa ayyidna alladhina amanu ala aduwwihim fa asbahu zahirin
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah calls upon the believers to be His helpers and supporters, just as Jesus (peace be upon him) called upon his disciples (the Apostles) to aid him in his mission, and they responded affirmatively. The ayah then illustrates that among the Children of Israel, some believed and supported Jesus while others rejected him; Allah granted victory to those who believed over their enemies. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, this ayah emphasizes the duty of Muslims to actively support the deen (religion) of Allah and stand firm against opposition, drawing a parallel to the steadfastness of Jesus' companions.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah As-Saf, a Medinan chapter revealed during the period when the Muslim community was facing opposition and needed to strengthen their resolve. The surah's central theme addresses the importance of unity, military preparation, and sincere devotion to Allah's cause. This particular ayah uses the historical example of Jesus and his disciples to motivate the believers at Medina to demonstrate similar commitment and mutual support in their struggle.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said in Sahih Muslim: 'The example of my Ummah (community) is like rain; it is not known whether the beginning of it is good or the end of it.' Additionally, in Sahih Bukhari, there is emphasis on helping one another: 'None of you believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.'
Themes
Key Lesson
True faith requires active participation and mutual support—believers are not passive spectators but rather active helpers of Allah's cause, committed to standing together against opposition. The promise of Allah's aid and ultimate victory is reserved for those who earnestly strive and support His religion through sincere action and unwavering solidarity.