Transliteration:( Illaa tansuroohu faqad nasarahul laahu iz akhrajahul lazeena kafaroo saaniyasnaini iz humaa filghaari iz yaqoolu lisaahibihee laa tahzan innnal laaha ma'anaa; fa anzalallaahu sakeenatahoo 'alaihi wa aiyadahoo bijunoodil lam tarawhaa wa ja'ala kalimatal lazeena kafarus suflaa; wa Kalimatul laahi hiyal 'ulyaa; wallaahu 'Azeezun Hakeem )
If you do not help him, then indeed Allah has already helped him when those who disbelieved drove him out, the second of two [109], when they were in the Cave [110]. When he said to his companion [112]: "Do not grieve; indeed, Allah is with us" [114]. Then Allah sent down His tranquility upon him and supported him with forces you did not see [116], and made the word of those who disbelieved the lowest [117]. And the word of Allah is the highest [118]. And Allah is Mighty, Wise.
Allah Almighty assisted the Prophet ﷺ from unseen sources during the Hijrah. The phrase "no doubt" (FAQAD) here is a proof of a hidden condition, meaning even if you do not help the Prophet ﷺ, Allah had already certainly helped him. Hence, no objection arises from this verse.
Though the migration happened by Allah’s command, the disbelievers are called its cause because they drove the Prophet ﷺ out of Makkah.
It was Allah who took the Prophet ﷺ out of Makkah, not the polytheists, whose intention was to kill him. The wording shows the polytheists as the active cause, but Allah’s protection was decisive.
The two are the Prophet ﷺ and his companion in the cave, Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (May Allah be pleased with him). The title “Companion of the Cave” is derived from this event.
His companionship is based on absolute faith and the Holy Quran; denying it is disbelief.
His status is second only to the Prophet ﷺ, leading believers in prayer during the Prophet’s absence. He is a Companion of four generations, a unique distinction. He is the immediate successor (Caliph) after the Prophet ﷺ, holding this honored position in life, death, and the Hereafter.
Hazrat Abu Bakr was not worried for himself (he was already bitten by a snake and had sacrificed much), but feared for the Prophet’s safety. His grief is an act of worship. Allah protected them both miraculously through the spider’s web and pigeon eggs.
Unlike Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) who said “Allah is with me,” the Prophet ﷺ said “Allah is with us,” signifying Allah’s presence with both himself and Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique.
Allah sent calm and satisfaction to Hazrat Abu Bakr because he was restless, while the Prophet ﷺ’s heart was already tranquil. Abu Bakr feared the disbelievers discovering their whereabouts.
Allah supported the Prophet ﷺ with forces unseen, like angels diverting the disbelievers’ attention, similar to His help in battles such as Badr and Hunain.
They stayed three days in the Cave of Thaur. Despite disbelievers offering rewards to capture them, all attempts failed. Suraqa bin Malik tracked them but became Muslim instead.
The word of Allah is eternally supreme, and the honor and success of His beloved servants like the Prophet ﷺ endure forever.
40. If you help him (Muhammad ) not (it does not matter), for Allah did indeed help him when the disbelievers drove him out, the second of the two; when they were both in the cave, he said to his companion: “Be not sad (or afraid), surely, Allah is with us.” Then Allah sent down His Sakinah (calmness, tranquillity, peace) upon him, and strengthened him with forces (angels) which you saw not, and made the word of those who disbelieved the lowermost, while the Word of Allah that became the uppermost; and Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.
Allah said,
(If you help him not), if you do not support His Prophet , then it does not matter, for Allah will help, support, suffice and protect him, just as He did,
(when the disbelievers drove him out, the second of the two;) During the year of the Hijrah, the idolators tried to kill, imprison or expel the Prophet , who escaped with his friend and Companion, Abu Bakr bin Abi Quhafah, to the cave of Thawr. They remained in the cave for three days so that the pagans who were sent in their pursuit, returned (to Makkah), and they proceed to Al-Madinah. While in the cave, Abu Bakr was afraid the pagans might discover them for fear that some harm might touch the Messenger . The Prophet kept reassuring him and strengthening his resolve, saying,
(O Abu Bakr! What do you think about two, with Allah as their third) Imam Ahmad recorded from Anas that Abu Bakr said to him, “I said to the Prophet when we were in the cave, `If any of them looks down at his feet, he will see us.’ He said,
(O Abu Bakr! What do you think about two with Allah as their third)” This is recorded in the Two Sahihs. This is why Allah said,
(Then Allah sent down His Sakinah upon him) sent His aid and triumph to His Messenger , or they say it refers to Abu Bakr,
(and strengthened him with forces which you saw not), the angels,
(and made the word of those who disbelieved the lowermost, while the Word of Allah that became the uppermost;) Ibn `Abbas commented, “‘The word of those who disbelieved’, is Shirk, while, `The Word of Allah’ is `La ilaha illallah.” It is recorded in the Two Sahihs that Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari said, “The Messenger of Allah was asked about a man who fights because of courage, or out of rage for his honor, or to show off. Whom among them is in the cause of Allah’ The Prophet said,
(He who fights so that Allah’s Word is superior, then he fights in Allah’s cause.)” Allah said next,
(and Allah is All-Mighty), in His revenge and taking retribution, He is the Most Formidable and those who seek refuge with Him and take shelter by adhering to what He instructs are never made to suffer injustice,
(All-Wise), in His statements and actions.
(9:40) It will matter little if you do not help the Prophet, for Allah surely helped him when the unbelievers drove him out of his home and he was but one of the two when they were in the cave, and when he said to his companion: “Do not grieve. Allah is with us.”[42] Then Allah caused His tranquillity to descend upon him, and supported him with hosts you did not see, He humbled the word of the unbelievers. As for Allah’s Word, it is inherently uppermost. Allah is All-Powerful, All-Wise.
42. This refers to the occasion when the disbelievers had decided to assassinate the Prophet (peace be upon him), and the very night, fixed for his assassination, he had left Makkah for Al-Madinah. By that time most of the Muslims had migrated to Al-Madinah in twos and threes and only a few helpless ones had remained behind in Makkah. As he was sure that he would be pursued, he took only Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) with him and went southward instead of following the northern route to Al- Madinah and remained hidden in the Thaur cave for three days. In the meantime the blood thirsty enemies had begun to make a thorough search for him all around Makkah and some of them reached the very mouth of the cave where he was hidden. On this critical occasion Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) naturally felt alarmed lest they should peep into the cave, and see them. But the Prophet (peace be upon him) remained as calm as before and reassured his companion, saying, “Do not grieve, indeed Allah is with us.”
[476]- The second was his companion, Abū Bakr. [477]- i.e., their claims and slogans. [478]- i.e., degraded and dishonored. [479]- "Lā ilāha ill-Allāh" ("There is no deity except Allāh").
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