هُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَرْسَلَ رَسُولَهُۥ بِٱلْهُدَىٰ وَدِينِ ٱلْحَقِّ لِيُظْهِرَهُۥ عَلَى ٱلدِّينِ كُلِّهِۦ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ ٱلْمُشْرِكُونَ 9
Translations
It is He who sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth to manifest it over all religion, although those who associate others with Allāh dislike it.
Transliteration
Huwa alladhī arsala rasūlahu bil-hudā wa dīn al-haqq liyuẓhirah `alā ad-dīn kullihi wa law kariha al-mushrikūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that Allah sent the Prophet Muhammad with guidance (the Qur'an) and the religion of truth (Islam) in order to make it prevail over all other religions, despite the disbelief of the polytheists. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as Allah's promise of the ultimate supremacy of Islam, whether through the Prophet's lifetime or in subsequent generations, emphasizing that this divine will cannot be thwarted by human opposition.
Revelation Context
Surah As-Saf is a Medinan surah revealed in the context of early Muslim struggles and conflicts with disbelievers and hypocrites in Medina. This particular ayah reinforces the believers' confidence in their faith during a period of persecution and opposition, assuring them of Islam's inevitable triumph despite contemporary resistance from polytheists and their allies.
Related Hadiths
The hadith reported by Muslim and others wherein the Prophet ﷺ said: 'This religion will reach every place that night and day reach' (referring to Islam's spread), which directly illustrates the fulfillment of this ayah's promise of Islam's prevalence over all religions.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to have unwavering confidence in Allah's plan despite contemporary opposition and challenges; it reminds us that the ultimate victory belongs to Allah's religion, regardless of how many reject it, and encourages steadfastness in faith even when facing hostile circumstances.