Surah As-Saff 61:13
سُورَةُ الصَّفِّ · Medinan · Verse 13 of 14
وَأُخْرَىٰ تُحِبُّونَهَا ۖ نَصْرٌۭ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَفَتْحٌۭ قَرِيبٌۭ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
Translation
And He will give you something else that will really please you: His help and an imminent breakthrough. [Prophet], give the faithful the good news.
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This beautiful verse from Surah As-Saff (The Ranks) builds upon the invitation to a profound "trade" with Allah, offering immense rewards. After mentioning forgiveness and eternal gardens in the Hereafter, Allah, in His boundless generosity, adds another layer of blessing, one that resonates deeply with human nature in this worldly life.
Another Blessing You Love
The verse begins with "وَأُخْرَىٰ تُحِبُّونَهَا" (and another which you love). The word "أُخْرَىٰ" (another) refers to an additional blessing or favor that Allah will bestow. What makes this wording particularly striking is the phrase "تُحِبُّونَهَا" (which you love). Scholars like Ibn Ashur point out that this is an act of divine favor, signifying that Allah is giving the believers what they naturally desire in this world, even before the ultimate rewards of the Hereafter. It's a testament to His care for His servants. However, al-Zamakhshari and al-Razi also perceive a subtle nuance, suggesting that this phrase might carry a slight "reproach" or a gentle reminder about our innate human inclination to value immediate, tangible worldly benefits. It acknowledges this human truth while still granting it as a bounty.
Victory from Allah
This beloved blessing is then immediately clarified: "نَصْرٌ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَفَتْحٌ قَرِيبٌ" (victory from Allah and a near conquest). The phrase "نَصْرٌ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ" (victory from Allah) is powerful. By explicitly attributing the victory to Allah (مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ), the Quran emphasizes that such triumphs are not merely the result of human strength or strategic prowess, but are direct interventions and gifts from the Divine. This highlights the importance of relying on Allah in all endeavors. Ibn Ashur notes the grammatical shift here, as this part of the verse uses a nominal (noun-based) sentence structure, rather than a verbal one, which conveys a sense of permanence and certainty for these promised outcomes.
The addition of "وَفَتْحٌ قَرِيبٌ" (and a near conquest) brings further comfort and excitement. The word "قَرِيبٌ" (near) serves to accelerate the glad tidings, as Ibn Ashur explains. It assures the believers that this significant victory is not a distant hope but an imminent reality, further bolstering their morale and resolve.
Good News for Believers
The verse concludes with an imperative command to the Prophet, peace be upon him: "وَبَشِّرِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ" (and give good tidings to the believers). This command ensures that these promises of worldly victory, alongside the spiritual rewards, are conveyed directly to the faithful, inspiring them and confirming Allah's support. It ties together the divine promises with the act of human delivery, showing the Prophet's role as a bearer of glad tidings. Scholars like Ibn Ashur discuss the sophisticated grammatical way this command (an imperative statement) is connected to the preceding declarative statements, emphasizing that in the Quran, the meaning and purpose of the message always take precedence over strict grammatical form. It’s a seamless flow of encouragement and divine assurance to those who believe.
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Jalalayn, al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah As-Saff 61:13 is discussed in 7 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah As-Saff 61:13 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.