Introduction of prayer:
This is one of the most inspiring and boosting verses of the Qur’an. It works like a candle of hope in the darkness of troubles and distress. It cheers the believers in sadness when they feel low or let down. Allah Kareem states in this verse that another thing you love: Help from Allah, and a victory, near at hand. This verse adds that the blessings of this trade (Between Allah and the Believers) are not restricted to the Hereafter. There is one blessing that will be granted right here in this world, which is the Divine help and an imminent victory. So, we see that the Muslims were supported by Divine help and victory in the battles against disbelievers and soon they were ruling almost one third part of the world.
It is narrated from a great Companion Sayyidna Abdullah bin Salam (RA) that we wanted to ask the Prophet of Allah about the best actions with Allah the Exalted and Most Honored, so they could practice them. Allah the Exalted sent down this Surah, including this Ayah.
Abdullah bin Salam said:
“A group of us Companions of the Messenger of Allah sat talking, and we said: ‘If we knew which deed was most beloved to Allah then we would do it.’ So Allah, Most High, revealed: Whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is on the earth glorifies Allah. And He is Almighty, the All-Wise. O you who believe! Why do you say that which you do not do?” Abdullah bin Salam said: “So the Messenger of Allah recited it to us.” (Tirmidhi: 3309)
Explanation of prayer:
This prayer contains two keywords; نَصْرٌ and فَتْحٌ.
1- نَصْرٌ (Help, assistance, aid, relief):
Nasar comes from the root word ن ص ر. From this root word come two Bounteous Names of Allah Kareem; Al-Nasir and An-Naseer.
الناصر: The Helper, The Supporter
Al-Nasir comes for one time in the Qur’an in Surah Ali ‘Imran: 150;
بَلِ ٱللَّهُ مَوْلَىٰكُمْ ۖ وَهُوَ خَيْرُ ٱلنَّـٰصِرِينَ
But no! Allah is your Guardian, and He is the best Helper.
النصیر:
It has been mentioned four times in Qur’an;
وَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ وَلِيًّۭا وَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ نَصِيرًۭا
And Allah is sufficient as a Guardian, and He is sufficient as a Helper. (4: 45)
وَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَوْلَىٰكُمْ ۚ نِعْمَ ٱلْمَوْلَىٰ وَنِعْمَ ٱلنَّصِيرُ ٤٠
And if they do not comply, then know that Allah is your Protector. What an excellent Protector, and what an excellent Helper! (8: 40)
As a believer, we must have a firm belief in the help and support of Allah Kareem. We must understand clearly that He is the only Source of Power and Support and there is none else who help us. He Almighty says in Surah Ali ‘Imran Verse: 160;
إِن يَنصُرْكُمُ ٱللَّهُ فَلَا غَالِبَ لَكُمْ ۖ وَإِن يَخْذُلْكُمْ فَمَن ذَا ٱلَّذِى يَنصُرُكُم مِّنۢ بَعْدِهِۦ ۗ وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ
If Allah helps you, none can defeat you. But if He denies you help, then who else can help you? So in Allah let the believers put their trust.
So, we have complete reliance on Him and His Plans and be grateful for His support. The Qur’an reminds the Muslims of their previous state of weakness then Allah supported them so they may become grateful;
وَٱذْكُرُوٓا۟ إِذْ أَنتُمْ قَلِيلٌۭ مُّسْتَضْعَفُونَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ تَخَافُونَ أَن يَتَخَطَّفَكُمُ ٱلنَّاسُ فَـَٔاوَىٰكُمْ وَأَيَّدَكُم بِنَصْرِهِۦ وَرَزَقَكُم مِّنَ ٱلطَّيِّبَـٰتِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
Remember when you had been vastly outnumbered and oppressed in the land,1 constantly in fear of attacks by your enemy, then He sheltered you, strengthened you with His help, and provided you with good things so perhaps you would be thankful. (Surah Al-Anfal: 26)
Benefits of prayer:
1- Divine Help in distress and trouble:
When you are facing any trouble and distress in life, have a firm belief in Allah’s support and recite this prayer abundantly.
2- To achieve victory and success in life:
Recite this prayer 313 times daily after the Fajar Prayer and put your trust in Allah. He Almighty will make the way that you would never think of.
3- To get victory in battlefield:
Muslim history shows that all the victories they achieved were because of their reliance on and trust in Allah Kareem. They followed the righteous laws of Islam and glorified the name of Islam in the world. This prayer is a sign of hope against the enemies of Islam.
It is reported from Sayyidna Abu Hurairah (RA) that the Prophet (pbuh) used to supplicate as under;
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ يَقُولُ “ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ، أَعَزَّ جُنْدَهُ، وَنَصَرَ عَبْدَهُ وَغَلَبَ الأَحْزَابَ وَحْدَهُ، فَلاَ شَىْءَ بَعْدَهُ ”.
Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) used to say, “None has the right to be worshipped except Allah Alone (Who) honoured His Warriors and made His Slave victorious, and He (Alone) defeated the (infidel) clans; so there is nothing after Him. (Sahih Bukhari: 4114)
4- To get rid of hopelessness:
If one has to face failure repeatedly and he has lost his heart and courage, as a true believer, he may get out of the darkness of hopelessness by reciting this prayer 100 times after every obligatory Salah.
5- To achieve prosperity in life:
The concept that Allah is the Only Helper and Supporter, and He helps those who call Him in desperate and helpless. So never despair of Allah’s mercy and ask His help and favor, it will bring prosperity in life. Stay connected with the Almighty by praying and putting your trust in Him. Recite this prayer 100 times after every Salah.
Always seek the help and support of Allah and put your trust in Him, and get strength from Him;
وكفى بربك هاديا ونصيرا
“But Sufficient is your Lord as a Guide and Helper.”(25: 31)
