Surah As-Saff 61:14
سُورَةُ الصَّفِّ · Medinan · Verse 14 of 14
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُونُوٓا۟ أَنصَارَ ٱللَّهِ كَمَا قَالَ عِيسَى ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ لِلْحَوَارِيِّۦنَ مَنْ أَنصَارِىٓ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ ۖ قَالَ ٱلْحَوَارِيُّونَ نَحْنُ أَنصَارُ ٱللَّهِ ۖ فَـَٔامَنَت طَّآئِفَةٌۭ مِّنۢ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ وَكَفَرَت طَّآئِفَةٌۭ ۖ فَأَيَّدْنَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ عَلَىٰ عَدُوِّهِمْ فَأَصْبَحُوا۟ ظَٰهِرِينَ
Translation
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.
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
The Call to Be Allah's Supporters
This powerful verse opens with a direct address to us, the believers: "O you who have believed, be supporters of Allah" (يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُونُوا أَنصَارَ اللَّهِ). The word "Ansar" (أنصار) means helpers or staunch supporters. When Allah calls us "supporters of Allah" using this specific grammatical form, known as an *idafah* (a possessive construction), it’s more than just a passing request. Scholars like Ibn Ashur point out that this phrasing makes being Allah's supporter a defining characteristic, almost a title, for believers. It implies a deep, inherent connection and commitment to His cause. Al-Razi adds that this is an order for us to continue and be steadfast in our support for Allah.
A Model of Devotion
The verse doesn't just command; it gives us a profound example to follow: "as Jesus, son of Mary, said to the disciples, 'Who are my supporters towards Allah?'" (كَمَا قَالَ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ لِلْحَوَارِيِّينَ مَنْ أَنصَارِي إِلَى اللَّهِ). Notice Jesus's question: "my supporters" (أنصاري), implying a personal call for help in God's mission. The little word "towards" (إِلَى, *ila*) here is deeply meaningful. Ibn Ashur explains it as a metaphorical "direction" or "goal" – Jesus wasn't asking for help *from* Allah, but for supporters whose efforts and allegiance were *directed towards* Allah, for His sake. It’s about being aligned with the divine purpose. Zamakhshari elaborates that it means "who is my army, heading to support Allah."
The Disciples' Resounding Reply
The disciples (الحواريون, *al-Hawariyyun*, meaning pure, close friends as noted by Zamakhshari and Ibn Ashur) responded with unwavering conviction: "We are the supporters of Allah" (نَحْنُ أَنصَارُ اللَّهِ). This isn't just a simple agreement. Ibn Ashur highlights that their answer uses a specific grammatical structure that implies restriction or emphasis, akin to saying, "We, and only we (to this complete degree), are the supporters of Allah." This bold declaration demonstrates their complete devotion and self-designation for this sacred task. They understood the depth of the call and committed themselves entirely.
The Promise of Triumph
The verse concludes with a powerful historical lesson and a promise: "Then a group from the Children of Israel believed and a group disbelieved, so We supported those who believed against their enemy, and they became triumphant" (فَآمَنَتْ طَائِفَةٌ مِّن بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ وَكَفَرَتْ طَائِفَةٌ فَأَيَّدْنَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا عَلَىٰ عَدُوِّهِمْ فَأَصْبَحُوا ظَاهِرِينَ). Allah aided the believers in Jesus's time, confirming their message and giving them dominance, whether through strong arguments and proof, or the eventual spread of their faith. For us, this serves as an assurance: just as Allah supported the steadfast followers of Jesus, He will support us when we sincerely embrace our role as "supporters of Allah," standing firm in His cause. This divine support leads to triumph, in whatever form Allah wills.
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Jalalayn
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah As-Saff 61:14 is discussed in 10 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 61:14 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.