In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Introduction and Summary

This beautiful Surah was the last of the Surahs to be revealed as a whole, though the portion of the verse 5:4 "This day I perfected your religion for you" etc., contains probably the last words of Quran to be revealed.

The date of this Surah was only a few months before the passing away of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) from this world, Rabi 1, A.H. 11. The place was either the precincts of Makkah at his Farewell Pilgrimage, Dhul al Hijjah, A.H. 10, or Madinah after his return from the Farewell Pilgrimage.

Victory is the crown of service, not an occasion for exultation. All victory comes from the help of Allah.

C.290 (The running Commentary, in Rhythmic Prose)

For that which is right the help of Allah.

Is ever nigh, and victory!

e spirit of men is stirred, they come

To the flag of faith in troops and battalions.

They are to be welcomed: but Praise and Glory

Belong to Allah: to Him we humbly

Turn and pray for Grace: for He

Is Oft-Returning in Grace and Mercy.

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

إِذَا جَاء نَصْرُ اللَّهِ وَالْفَتْحُ ﴿١﴾

1.    When comes the Help of Allah, and Victory,

وَرَأَيْتَ النَّاسَ يَدْخُلُونَ فِي دِينِ اللَّهِ أَفْوَاجًا ﴿٢﴾

2.    And thou dost see the People enter Allah's Religion in crowds,

C6292. The Prophet migrated from Makkah to Madinah, a persecuted man. In Madinah all the forces of truth and righteousness rallied round him, and the efforts by the Makkans and their confederates to destroy him and his community recoiled on their own heads.

Gradually all the outlying parts of Arabia ranged themselves round his standard, and the bloodless conquest of Makkah was the crown and prize of his patience and constant endeavour.

After that, whole tribes and tracts of country gave their adhesion to him collectively, and before his ministry was finished, the soil was prepared for the conquest of the wide world for Islam.

What was the lesson to be learnt from this little epitome of the world's history?

Not man's self-glory, but humility; and power but service; not an appeal to man's selfishness or self-sufficiency, but a realisation of Allah's Grace and Mercy, and the abundant outpouring of Allah's Praises in word and conduct.

فَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ وَاسْتَغْفِرْهُ إِنَّهُ كَانَ تَوَّابًا ﴿٣﴾

3.    Full of Wisdom. Celebrate the Praises of thy Lord, and pray for His Forgiveness: for He is Oft-Returning (in Grace and Mercy).

C6293. Every man should humble himself before Allah, confess his human frailties, and seek Allah's grace---attributing any success that he gets in his work, not to his own merits, but to the goodness and mercy of Allah.

But the Prophet of Allah had also another duty and privilege--- to pray for grace and forgiveness for his people in case of them had exulted in their victory or done anything that they should not have done.

***********