Surah Muhammad 47:7
سُورَةُ مُحَمَّدٍ · Medinan · Verse 7 of 38
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِن تَنصُرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ يَنصُرْكُمْ وَيُثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَكُمْ
Translation
You who believe! If you help God, He will help you and make you stand firm.
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This verse opens with a direct, personal address to those who have embraced faith: "يا أيها الذين آمنوا" (O you who have believed). This powerful opening sets the tone, making it clear that the message is specifically for believers and that their very faith demands attention to what follows, as Ibn Ashur explains. It is an invitation to action rooted in conviction.
The Call to Action
The heart of the verse lies in the conditional statement: "إِنْ تَنْصُرُوا اللَّهَ" (If you support Allah). At first glance, the idea of finite human beings "supporting Allah" might seem puzzling, given His infinite power and self-sufficiency. However, the scholars clarify that this is a concise and profound way of speaking. As al-Zamakhshari and al-Jalalayn explain, "supporting Allah" truly means supporting His religion, His cause, and His Messenger. Allah does not need our help, but He calls us to uphold His truth in the world. Ibn Ashur beautifully observes that in Arabic, one can say they "supported someone" and it is understood they supported that person's kin, cause, or followers, even if the person themselves is beyond need. There is no need to add "religion" (دين) explicitly; the meaning is inherent.
Furthermore, Imam al-Razi delves into the deeper theological meaning, distinguishing between what Allah *wills* (مراد) which always happens, and what He *seeks* or *commands* (مطلوب) from us. Our "supporting Allah" means actively striving to fulfill what He seeks from humanity, such as establishing justice, upholding His commands, and struggling against disbelief and oppression. It underscores our role and responsibility as agents of good in the world.
The choice of the conditional particle "إن" (if) by Ibn Ashur highlights that this "support" is not a given; it implies that the condition is demanding and might require significant effort or sacrifice. It is a weighty commitment, not a casual endeavor.
The Divine Promise
In return for this profound commitment, Allah makes a magnificent promise: "يَنْصُرْكُمْ وَيُثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَكُمْ" (He will support you and make your feet firm). This promise of support is not just a general aid; it is tangible assistance against adversaries. But the second part, "وَيُثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَكُمْ" (He will make your feet firm), offers an even richer meaning. Ibn Ashur explains this as a vivid metaphor for certainty and unwavering resolve. Just as firm feet prevent one from slipping and falling physically, so too does Allah grant spiritual steadfastness, preventing believers from faltering in their faith or in the face of adversity. Al-Zamakhshari notes this could mean firmness in battle or firmness on the entire path of Islam, encompassing both physical and spiritual resilience. It is a profound assurance that those who sincerely uphold Allah's cause will be granted inner strength and outer stability, never to be swayed or defeated.
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Jalalayn, al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi)
Qur'anic Worlds
This verse opens with a direct address to all believers: "يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟" (O you who have believed). It presents a profound promise conditioned on our actions, inviting us to reflect on our role in upholding divine principles.
The Divine Condition
Allah states, "إِن تَنصُرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ يَنصُرْكُمْ وَيُثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَكُمْ" (If you support Allah, He will support you and make your feet firm). This isn't about Allah needing our help; rather, it’s about what it means for *us* to align with His will and purpose. The plains meaning, as described by al-Muyassar and al-Baghawi, clarifies that "supporting Allah" means supporting His religion. This includes striving in His cause (jihad), governing by His book, fulfilling His commands, and avoiding His prohibitions.
Scholar al-Razi delves deeper, explaining that supporting Allah is about striving against His enemy, Shaytan, by upholding faith and truth. We, as believers, fulfill what Allah asks of us by our actions, like engaging in righteous struggle. In return, Allah supports us by strengthening us and firming our steps.
What Support Truly Means
Sayyid Qutb emphasizes that "nurturing Allah" (nusrullah) means raising the "Kalimatullah" (Word of Allah) in every facet of life: in our personal conscience, our morals, our conduct, the institutions of society, our relationships, and our entire way of life. It means being sincere and not relying on anything or anyone other than Allah. This profound understanding would have resonated deeply with the early Muslim community, who were actively establishing an Islamic society and often engaged in defensive struggles. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, clarified that genuine struggle is "only to make Allah's word supreme," as reported by Abu Musa al-Ash'ari and cited by Sayyid Qutb. Any action done for show, tribalism, or other worldly motives does not qualify as supporting Allah.
The Promise Fulfilled
The promise in return is twofold: "He will support you and make your feet firm." Allah's support can manifest in many ways, including granting victory over adversaries, as stated in the ayah context. "Firmness of feet" (tuthabbit aqdamakum) means steadfastness, both literally in battle and metaphorically in life's challenges. Ibn Kathir connects this firmness to the Day of Judgment, reminding us that Allah makes firm the steps of those who assist others, implying that our support for Allah extends to supporting humanity. Sayyid Qutb also adds a unique perspective: firmness of feet is needed not just *before* victory, but perhaps even more crucially *after* it, to guard against arrogance, laziness, and weakness that can set in with success. This call for unwavering dedication would have been a vital reminder for the Companions, navigating the complexities of their mission.
This verse, therefore, is a powerful invitation to examine our commitment to Allah's path and to understand that our sincerity and comprehensive dedication are met with His divine aid and steadfastness in every step of our journey.
Sources: al-Baghawi (Maalim al-Tanzil), Ma'arif al-Quran (Mufti Shafi), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), Ibn Kathir, Sayyid Qutb (Fi Zilal al-Quran)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Muhammad 47:7 is discussed in 8 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Muhammad 47:7 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.