Chapter 110:
Al-Nasr — The Help:
Revealed at Makkah: 3 verses
English Translation and Commentary of the Holy Quran by Maulana Muhammad Ali
Introduction:
This chapter speaks of the great Divine Help (from which it receives its title) and victory with which the Holy Prophet’s endeavours in the cause of Truth were crowned. According to I‘Ab it was an indication of the Holy Prophet’s approaching end (B. 65: cx, 2). Ibn ‘Umar is reported as saying that this chapter was revealed during the last pilgrimage of the Holy Prophet, and that he lived only eighty days after its revelation (AH). It was therefore revealed at Makkah during the Madinah period towards the close of the Prophet’s life. As a complete chapter it may be said to be the last revelation of the Holy Prophet, and, coming down at Makkah, it showed how those wonderful prophecies, announced in utter loneliness and helplessness, were now fulfilled by the Prophet visiting Makkah with the whole of Arabia at his feet.
Translation:
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
110:1 When Allah’s help and victory comes,a
110:2 And thou seest men entering the religion of Allah in companies,
110:3 Celebrate the praise of thy Lord and ask His protection.a Surely He is ever Returning (to mercy).
Commentary:
1a. The great victory which had come was the triumph of the religion of Islam in the whole of Arabia. Deputation after deputation from all parts of Arabia came to Madinah and accepted Islam. History does not present another example of the wonderful transformation wrought by the Prophet within the short space of twenty years.
3a. On witnessing the greatest triumph known to history, the Prophet is told to celebrate the praise of his Lord, and to ask protection. For whom was protection to be asked? If it was for himself, it was a protection against elation at an unprecedented victory, because elation ill-befitted a Teacher of righteousness. But more likely, he was required to ask protection for the masses which were now accepting Islam in companies. In fact he was required to ask Divine forgiveness or protection for his erstwhile oppressors, forgiveness for his deadly enemies, who were guilty of the gravest crimes.