( إِن تَسْتَفْتِحُوا فَقَدْ جَاءَكُمُ الْفَتْحُ ) (If you [disbelievers] seek the victory – the defeat has come to you): The Arabic word of (seek the victory) can either used with material or sentimental matters.
The reason for revelation: Abdullah bin Thaa’laba bin Sa’ir Al-‘Athri (may Allah be pleased with him) said, that Abu Jahl, on the day of Badr, initiated the battle with: ‘Our Lord, whichever of the two parties was less kind to his relatives, and brought us what we do not know, then destroy him tomorrow’. So, this verse was revealed. The Arabic word of (the defeat) in this verse means the judgment between the two conflicting groups – the misguided group and the guided group. It signifies the great victory that supports the Prophet Muhammad (saws) and the believers.
(And if you desist [from hostilities], it is best for you): This is addressed to the disbelievers; it would be best for you to stop the attacks against Muslims.
( وَإِن تَعُودُوا نَعُدْ ) (but if you return [to war], We will return): But if they returned to their attacks, then the Muslims will return to the fight as well.
( وَلَن تُغْنِيَ عَنكُمْ فِئَتُكُمْ شَيْئًا وَلَوْ كَثُرَتْ) (and never will you be availed by your [large] company at all, even if it should increase): The large number of their army will gain them nothing, for Allah (swt) says:
كَم مِّن فِئَةٍ قَلِيلَةٍ غَلَبَتْ فِئَةً كَثِيرَةً بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ مَعَ الصَّابِرِينَ
(“How many a small company has overcome a large company by permission of Allah. And Allah is with the patient.”) (Al-Baqara: 249)
The great number and the equipment of the polytheists will never avail them, as was the case in the Battle of Badr, it will not bring them any benefit, for Allah (swt) is the Ultimate Supporter.
( وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ) (and [that is] because Allah is with the believers): The Divine support was to the believers, and when there is Divine support, victory is undoubtedly assured. As witnessed in the Battle of Badr, the divine support guarantees triumph. This Divine assistance is exemplified in the story of Prophet Moses (PBUH) when he reached the sea with the Pharaoh and his army behind him:
( 61 ) فَلَمَّا تَرَاءَى الْجَمْعَانِ قَالَ أَصْحَابُ مُوسَىٰ إِنَّا لَمُدْرَكُونَ ( 62 ) قَالَ كَلَّا ۖ إِنَّ مَعِيَ رَبِّي سَيَهْدِينِ
((61) And when the two companies saw one another, the companions of Moses said, “Indeed, we are to be overtaken!” (62) [Moses] said, “No! Indeed, with me is my Lord; He will guide me.”) (Ash-Shu’araa)
Prophet Moses (PBUH) placed his trust in Allah’s (swt) Divine Support, and as long as Allah (swt) was with him, victory was inevitable. Consequently, Allah (swt) drowned Pharaoh and his soldiers, ensuring the triumph of Prophet Moses (PBUH) and his followers.
A similar scenario unfolded with Prophet Muhammad (saws) in the cave where he sought refuge from the Quraysh during the migration. Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
“I was in the company of the Prophet (ﷺ) in the cave, and on seeing the traces of the pagans, I said, “O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) If one of them (pagans) should lift up his foot, he will see us.” He said, “What do you think of two, the third of whom is Allah?”[1]
In essence, Divine support is the key to realizing triumph in matters of faith.
[1] Sahih Al-Bukhari, Prophetic Commentary on the Qur’an (Tafseer of the Prophet (pbuh)), no. 4386.