Al-Qur'an Surah As-Saf Verse 14

Mufti Taqi Usmani

O you who believe, be supporters of (the religion of) Allah, just as ‘Īsā, son of Maryam, said to the Disciples, “Who are my supporters towards Allah?” The Disciples said, “We are the supporters of (the religion of) Allah.” So a group from the children of Isrā’īl believed, and another group disbelieved. Then We supported those who believed against their enemy, and they became victors.

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

O believers! Stand up for Allah, as Jesus, son of Mary, asked the disciples, “Who will stand up with me for Allah?” The disciples replied, “We will stand up for Allah.” Then a group from the Children of Israel believed while another disbelieved. We then supported the believers against their enemies, so they prevailed.

Ruwwad Translation Center

O you who believe, be supporters of Allah’s cause, as Jesus, son of Mary, said to the disciples, “Who will be my supporters for Allah’s cause?” The disciples said, “We are the supporters for Allah’s cause.” Then a group of the Children of Israel believed and another disbelieved. We then supported those who believed against their enemies, so they prevailed.

A. J. Arberry

O believers, be you God's helpers, as Jesus, Mary's son, said to the Apostles. 'Who will be my helpers unto God?' The Apostles said, 'We will be helpers of God.' And a party of the Children of Israel believed, and a party disbelieved. So We confirmed those who believed against their enemy, and they became masters.

Abdul Haleem

You who believe, be God’s helpers. As Jesus, son of Mary, said to the disciples, ‘Who will come with me to help God?’ The disciples said, ‘We shall be God’s helpers.’ Some of the Children of Israel believed and some disbelieved: We supported the believers against their enemy and they were the ones who came out on top.

Abdul Majid Daryabadi

O ye who believe! be Allah's helpers, even as 'Isa, son of Maryam, said Unto the disciples: who shall be my helpers Unto Allah? The disciples said: we are Allah's helpers. Then a part of the Children of Israil believed, and part disbelieved. Then We strengthened those who believed against their foe; wherefore they became triumphant.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

O ye who believe! Be ye helpers of Allah; As said Jesus the son of Mary to the Disciples, "Who will be my helpers to (the work of) Allah?" Said the disciples, "We are Allah's helpers!" then a portion of the Children of Israel believed, and a portion disbelieved; But We gave power to those who believed, against their enemies, and they became the ones that prevailed.

Abul Ala Maududi

Believers, become Allah's helpers, as Jesus, son of Mary, said to the disciples: “Who is my helper in (calling people) to Allah?” The disciples had responded by saying: “We are Allah's helpers.” Then a section of the Children of Israel believed and a section rejected the call. Thereafter We aided the believers against their enemies, and they prevailed.

Ahmed Ali

O you who believe, be helpers of God, as Jesus, son of Mary, had said to the disciples: "Who will help me in the way of God?" and they had answered: "We are the helpers of God." Then a section among the children of Israel believed, but a section among them did not. So We helped those who believed against their enemies, and they prevailed over them.

Ahmed Raza Khan

O People who Believe! Become the aides of Allah’s religion, the way Eisa the son of Maryam had said to the disciples, “Who will help me, inclining towards Allah?” The disciples said, “We are the aides of Allah’s religion” – so a group among the Descendants of Israel accepted faith and another group disbelieved; We therefore aided the believers against their enemies, so they were victorious.

Ali Quli Qarai

O you who have faith! Be Allah’s helpers, just as Jesus son of Mary said to his disciples, ‘Who will be my helpers for Allah’s sake?’ The Disciples said, ‘We will be Allah’s helpers!’ So a group of the Children of Israel believed, and a group disbelieved. Then We strengthened the faithful against their enemies, and they came to prevail [over them].

Ali Ünal

O you who believe! Be helpers of God(’s cause and Messenger), even as Jesus son of Mary said to his disciples: "Who will be my helpers (on this way) to God?" The disciples said: "We are the helpers (in the cause) of God." And so it happened that some of the Children of Israel believed (in him and his Message) and others disbelieved (thus becoming two groups). So We strengthened those who believed against their enemies, and they became the uppermost.

Amatul Rahman Omar

O you who believe! be helpers of (the cause of) Allâh (as did the disciples of Jesus), for when Jesus, son of Mary, said to the disciples, `Who will join me as my helper towards (the cause of) Allâh?´ The disciples replied, `We are helpers of (the cause of) Allâh.´ So a section of the Children of the Israel believed (firmly in Jesus), while another section rejected (him). Thereupon We helped those who believed, against their enemies and (at last) these (believers) gained predominant victory (over the nonbelievers).

English Literal

You, you those who believed, be God`s supporters , as/like Jesus Mary`s son said to the faithful and pure friends/deciples : "Who (are) my victoriors/supporters to God?" The faithful and pure friends/deciples said: "We are God`s victoriors/supporters ." So a group of people from Israel`s sons and daughters believed, and a group of people disbelieved, so We supported those who believed over their enemy, so they became conquering/defeating

Faridul Haque

O People who Believe! Become the aides of Allah’s religion, the way Eisa the son of Maryam had said to the disciples, “Who will help me, inclining towards Allah?” The disciples said, “We are the aides of Allah’s religion” – so a group among the Descendants of Israel accepted faith and another group disbelieved; We therefore aided the believers against their enemies, so they were victorious.

Hamid S. Aziz

O you who believe! Be helpers of Allah, as Jesus son of Mary said to his disciples, "Who are my helpers of Allah?" The disciples said, "We are helpers of Allah." So a party of the children of Israel believed and another party disbelieved; then We strengthened those who believed against their enemy, and they prevailed (or became the uppermost).

Hilali & Khan

O you who believe! Be you helpers (in the Cause) of Allah as said 'Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), to Al-Hawariun (the disciples): "Who are my helpers (in the Cause) of Allah?" Al-Hawarieen (the disciples) said: "We are Allah's helpers" (i.e. we will strive in His Cause!). Then a group of the Children of Israel believed and a group disbelieved. So We gave power to those who believed against their enemies, and they became the uppermost.

Maulana Mohammad Ali

And yet another (blessing) that you love: help from Allah and a victory near at hand; and give good news to the believers.

Mohammad Habib Shakir

O you who believe! be helpers (in the cause) of Allah, as~ Isa son of Marium said to (his) disciples: Who are my helpers in the cause of Allah? The disciples said: We are helpers (in the cause) of Allah. So a party of the children of Israel believed and another party disbelieved; then We aided those who believed against their enemy, and they became uppermost.

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall

O ye who believe! Be Allah's helpers, even as Jesus son of Mary said unto the disciples: Who are my helpers for Allah? They said: We are Allah's helpers. And a party of the Children of Israel believed, while a party disbelieved. Then We strengthened those who believed against their foe, and they became the uppermost.

Muhammad Sarwar

Believers, be the helpers of God just as when Jesus, the son of Mary, asked the disciples, "Who will be my helpers for the cause of God?" and the disciples replied, "We are the helpers of God." A group of the Israelites believed in him and others rejected him. We helped the believers against their enemies and they became victorious.

Qaribullah & Darwish

Believers, be the helpers of Allah. When (Prophet) Jesus, the son of Mary said to the disciples: 'Who will be my helpers unto Allah' The disciples replied:'We will be the helpers of Allah' A party of the Children of Israel believed, and a party disbelieved. So, We supported those who believed against their enemy, and they overcame.

Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

O you who believe! Be you helpers (in the cause) of Allah as said `Isa, son of Maryam, to the Hawariyyin (the disciples): "Who are my helpers (in the cause) of Allah" The Hawariyyun said: "We are Allah's helpers" (i.e., we will strive in His cause!). Then a group of the Children of Israel believed and a group disbelieved. So, We gave power to those who believed against their enemies, and they became the victorious (uppermost).

Wahiduddin Khan

Believers, be God's helpers, as Jesus, son of Mary, said to the disciples, "Who will be my helpers in the cause of God?" The disciples said, "We shall be God's helpers." Some of the Children of Israel believed in him and some denied the truth; We supported the believers against their enemies and they triumphed over them.

Talal Itani

O you who believe! Be supporters of God, as Jesus son of Mary said to the disciples, “Who are my supporters towards God?” The disciples said, “We are God's supporters.” So a group of the Children of Israel believed, while another group disbelieved. We supported those who believed against their foe, so they became dominant.

Tafsir jalalayn

O you who believe, be helpers of God, of His religion (a variant reading [of ansran li'Llhi] has the genitive annexation ansra'Llhi) just as said (kam qla to the end [of the statement] means `just as the disciples were so', as is indicated by [what follows]) Jesus son of Mary to the disciples, `Who will be my helpers unto God?', that is to say, who [of you] will be helpers alongside me turning to help God? The disciples said, `We will be God's helpers!' [These] al-hawriyyn [were] the intimates of Jesus, for they were the first to believe in him. They were twelve men of pure white complexion (hawar); but it is also said that [their epithet derives from the fact that] they were bleachers (qassrn) who bleached (yuhawwirna) clothes. So a group of the Children of Israel believed, in Jesus, saying; `He is [indeed] the servant of God, [who has been] raised to heaven', while a group disbelieved, because they said that he was the son of God, whom He had raised unto Himself. Thus the two groups waged war against one another. Then We strengthened those who believed, of the two groups, against their enemy, the disbelieving groups, and so they became the triumphant, the victors. Medinese, consisting of 11 verses.

Tafseer Ibn Kathir

Muslims are always the Natural Supporters of Islam

Allah reminds the believers,

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ اَمَنُوا كُونوا أَنصَارَ اللَّهِ

كَمَا قَالَ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ لِلْحَوَارِيِّينَ

O you who believe!

Be you helpers (in the cause) of Allah as said `Isa, son of Maryam, to the Hawariyyin (the disciples);

Allah the Exalted orders His faithful servants to be Allah's supporters at all times, in all their statements and actions, sacrificing their selves and wealth. Allah orders them to accept His and His Messenger's call, just as the disciples said to Prophet `Isa when he said,

مَنْ أَنصَارِي إِلَى اللَّهِ

Who are my helpers (in the cause) of Allah?

meaning, `who will support me in conveying the Message of Allah, the Exalted and Most Honored'

قَالَ الْحَوَارِيُّونَ

The Hawariyyun said;

in reference to the followers of `Isa, peace be upon him,

نَحْنُ أَنصَارُ اللَّهِ

We are Allah's helpers.

meaning, `we will support you with regards to the Message you have been sent with and will help you convey it.'

Whereby, `Isa sent the disciples to the various areas of Ash-Sham to call the Greeks and the Israelites to Islam.

Similarly, during the days of Hajj, Allah's Messenger used to ask,

مَنْ رَجُلٌ يُوْوِينِي حَتْى أُبَلِّغَ رِسَالَةَ رَبِّي فَإِنَّ قُرَيْشًا قَدْ مَنَعُونِي أَنْ أُبَلِّغَ رِسَالَةَ رَبِّي

Who will support me in conveying the Message of my Lord Verily, the Quraysh have prevented me from conveying the Message of my Lord.

Allah the Exalted and Most Honored raised Al-Aws and Al-Khazraj to support the Prophet. They were the residents of Al-Madinah who gave the pledge to him and supported him, vowing to protect him from mankind and the Jinns if he migrated to them. When he migrated to them with his Companions, they fulfilled their vow to Allah. This is the reason why Allah and His Messenger called them, Al-Ansar, the Supporters. The name became synonymous with them. May Allah be pleased with them and please them, as well.
A Group of the Children of Israel believed in `Isa and a Group of Them disbelieved

Allah said,

فَأَمَنَت طَّايِفَةٌ مِّن بَنِي إِسْرَايِيلَ وَكَفَرَت طَّايِفَةٌ


Then a group of the Children of Israel believed and a group disbelieved.

When `Isa, peace be on him, conveyed the Message of his Lord to his people and the disciples supported him, a group from the Children of Israel believed. They accepted the guidance that `Isa brought to them, while another group, was led astray. This group rejected what `Isa brought them, denied his Prophethood and invented terrible lies about him and his mother. They are the Jews, may Allah curse them until the Day of Judgement.

Another group exaggerated over `Isa, until they elevated him to more than the level of Prophethood that Allah gave him. They divided into sects and factions, some saying that `Isa was the son of Allah, while others said that he was one in a trinity, and this is why they invoke the father, the son and the holy ghost! Some of them said that `Isa was Allah, as we mentioned in the Tafsir of Surah An-Nisa'.
Allah gives Victory to the Believing Group

Allah said,

فَأَيَّدْنَا الَّذِينَ اَمَنُوا عَلَى عَدُوِّهِمْ

So, We gave power to those who believed against their enemies,

that is, `We gave them victory over the group of Christians which defied them,'

فَأَصْبَحُوا ظَاهِرِينَ



and they became the victorious (uppermost).

`over the disbelieving group, when We sent Muhammad.'

Imam Abu Jafar bin Jarir At-Tabari reported that Ibn Abbas said,

"When Allah decided to raise `Isa to heaven, `Isa went to his companions while drops of water were dripping from his head. At that time, there were twelve men at the house. `Isa said to them,

`Some of you will disbelieve in me twelve times after having believed in me.'

He then asked,

`Who among you volunteers that he be made to resemble me and be killed instead of me; he will be with me in my place (in Paradise).'

One of the youngest men present volunteered, but `Isa commanded him to sit down. `Isa repeated his statement and the young man again stood up and volunteered, and `Isa again told him to sit down. `Isa repeated the same statement and the young man volunteered. This time, `Isa said,

`Then it will be you.'

The appearance of `Isa was cast upon that young man, while `Isa, peace be on him, was raised to heaven through an opening in the roof of the house.

The Jews came looking for `Isa and arrested the one that appeared as him, killing him by crucifixion.

Some of them disbelieved in `Isa twelve times, after they had believed in him. They divided into three groups.

One group, Al-Ya`qubiyyah (the Jacobites), said,

`Allah remained with us as much as He willed and then ascended to heaven.'

Another group, An-Nasturiyyah (the Nestorians), said,

`Allah's son remained with us as much as Allah willed and He then raised him up to heaven.'

A third group said,

`Allah's servant and Messenger remained with us as much as Allah willed and then Allah raised him up to Him.'

The last group was the Muslim group.

The two disbelieving groups collaborated against the Muslim group and annihilated it. Islam remained unjustly concealed until Allah sent Muhammad,

فَأَمَنَت طَّايِفَةٌ مِّن بَنِي إِسْرَايِيلَ وَكَفَرَت طَّايِفَةٌ


Then a group of the Children of Israel believed and a group disbelieved.

This Ayah refers to the group among the Children of Israel that disbelieved and the group that believed, during the time of `Isa,

فَأَيَّدْنَا الَّذِينَ اَمَنُوا عَلَى عَدُوِّهِمْ فَأَصْبَحُوا ظَاهِرِينَ


So, We gave power to those who believed against their enemies, and they became the victorious (uppermost).

through the victory that Muhammad gained over the religion of the disbelievers, which brought the dominance of their religion."

This is the wording in his book for the Tafsir of this honorable Ayah.

Similarly, An-Nasa'i collected this statement of Ibn `Abbas in his Sunan. Therefore, the Ummah of Muhammad will always be prevalent on the truth until Allah's command (the Final Hour) commences, while they are on this path. The last group of them will fight against Ad-Dajjal along with `Isa, peace be on him, according to Hadiths in the authentic collections.

This is the end of the Tafsir of Surah As-Saff. All praise and thanks are due to Allah