وَلَوْ قَـٰتَلَكُمُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَوَلَّوُا۟ ٱلْأَدْبَـٰرَ ثُمَّ لَا يَجِدُونَ وَلِيًّا وَلَا نَصِيرًا 22
Translations
And if those [Makkans] who disbelieve had fought you, they would have turned their backs [in flight]. Then they would not find a protector or a helper.
Transliteration
Wa law qatalakum alladhina kafaroo lawallawu al-adbaar thumma la yajidoon waliyyan wa la naseeran
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah asserts that had the disbelievers fought against the Muslims, they would have turned their backs in flight and found no protector or helper to defend them. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this verse emphasizes Allah's promise of victory and protection for the believers, demonstrating the inevitable defeat of those who oppose Allah's cause. The ayah serves as a reminder of divine support and the futility of opposing the believers' cause.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Fath (The Victory), revealed after the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah in 6 AH. Though the treaty appeared as a compromise, the surah reassures the Muslims of ultimate victory. The ayah specifically addresses the hypothetical scenario of confrontation with the disbelievers, reinforcing that Allah's protection ensures Muslim success and the enemy's inevitable defeat.
Related Hadiths
Related to the theme of Allah's support for believers: The hadith in Sahih Bukhari (Book of Jihad) where the Prophet ﷺ said, 'I have been made victorious with the Awe' (Al-Rub), indicating divine assistance in battle. Also relevant is Muslim's hadith about the Prophet's assurance that 'the group following the truth will not cease until the Day of Judgment.'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that reliance on Allah and adherence to His cause guarantees victory, while those who oppose truth will face inevitable defeat and isolation. For modern readers, it encourages steadfastness in faith and righteous action with the assurance that Allah's support transcends worldly circumstances and numbers.