The Surah Al Nasr takes its name from the word ‘Nasr’ occurring in the first verse. 

The word ‘Nasr’ means ‘”Help,” and “(Divine) Support.” 

It is the 110th chapter (Surah) of the Quran with three verses (ayat).

When and Where was Surah Nasr revealed?

Let’s explore the relevant Ahadith to Surah Nasr we have,

• As per a Hadith narrated by Abdullah bin Abbas radhiAllahu ‘anhu, Surah An-Nasr is the last revealed Surah of the Qur’an, i.e., There was no complete Surah sent to the Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam after it. 

Reference: (Sahih Muslim, Sunan Nasai).

• Ibn Abbas radhiAllahu ‘anhu says that when ALLAH revealed this Surah, the Prophet salAllahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam said that ALLAH has now informed him the time of his death had approached.
  

To learn more: Reasons why you should learn the Hadith?

Reference: (Musnad Ahmad). 

In light of the above narrations and further studies revealed that, 

• Surah Nasr was revealed after Hijrah (the great migration) in Madinah.
• From these narrations, we learn this Sūrah was revealed during the middle of the days of tashrīq (referring to 12th Dhū al-Ḥijjah) during the farewell pilgrimage in the 10th year after Hijrah. There were three months and some days between the Revelation of Surah An-Nasr and the Prophet’s death, as the Prophet salAllahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam passed away three months after the farewell pilgrimage.

Find Out More: Prophet Muhammad, Best Man on Earth 1

The cause of Revelation

In Surah Nasr, Allah informed His Messenger Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam that Islam had attained complete Victory in Arabia. People have started entering into Islam in great numbers; it would mean that the Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam’s mission for which he had been sent to the world had been accomplished.

In this Surah Al Nasr, the Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam was then asked to indulge himself in praising Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala by Whose bounty he had been able to accomplish such an excellent task. He should implore Him to forgive whatever failings he might have shown in the performance of the service.

According to the Best online Quran Website Hidayah Network, now consider for a moment, if it were an ordinary leader who in his life brought a revolution, which was the core aim of his struggle, this would have been an occasion for celebration for him. On the contrary, in Prophet Muhammad’s case, we notice something quite the opposite. He spent 23 years revolutionizing the lives of ignorant Arabs, changing their beliefs, customs, morals, economy, politics, etc. Yet, when he accomplished his task, he was asked to praise Allah and pray for His forgiveness. The Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam submitted to Allah’s command humbly. 

One more aspect of understanding the Surah Nasr’s cause of Revelation is evident in the following hadith,

According to Imam Al-Bayhaqi Ibn `Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him said: “After ALLAH revealed this Surah, the Messenger of Allah Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) summoned his daughter Fatimah may Allah be pleased with her. And said to her: “It indicates my death.” At this, Fatimah may Allah be pleased with her, began to cry; but she laughed later when Messenger of Allah Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Have Patience, my daughter, you are the first of my family who will join me in the hereafter.” 

Reference: (Sahih Muslim) To learn more : Sahih Al-Bukhari 

Ibn Abbas also has stated that after the Revelation of this Surah, the Holy Messenger (upon whom be peace) began to labor very devotedly. He used to perform it so hard for the Hereafter as he had never done before.

Ayah 1

The Surah begins by Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala stating,

إِذَا جَاءَ نَصْرُ اللَّهِ وَالْفَتْحُ

“When comes the Help of Allah and the victory.”

When you dig into Surah Nasr in English, فَتْحُ means Victory. Victory here does not imply in any one particular campaign, but the decisive Victory, after which there remained no absolute power in the land to resist and oppose Islam. It had become evident that Islam alone would hold sway in Arabia.

Ayah 2

In Ayah 2, Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala says,

“And you see the people entering into the religion of Allah into multitudes.”

Surah Nasr meaning and explanation signifies that after Muslims attained Victory in Arabia, Islam became the land’s religion. People were entering into Islam, not in small numbers, but large crowds were coming to this new religion. They were accepting Islam without any force or pressure. They decided to accept Allah’s Deen at their own free will, 

According to records, this occurrence happened toward the start of A.H. 9. That’s why we call that year the time of delegations. Delegations from all aspects of Arabia began preceding the Messenger sallAllahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam. It was a practice of making a vow of devotion to him until he went on the Farewell Pilgrimage to Makkah. This event took place during A.H. 10. The whole of Arabia had gotten Muslim, and not a solitary polytheist remained anyplace in the nation.

Ayah 3

Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala ends this Surah by stating,

فَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ وَاسْتَغْفِرْهُ إِنَّهُ كَانَ تَوَّابًا

“Then glorify with the praises of your Lord and ask His forgiveness. Indeed, He is Oft-Returning.”

 As per Surah Nasr translation, حَمْدِ implies praising Allah Almighty as well as thanking Him, as per Surah Nasr in English commentaries. Similarly, tasbeeh means to regard Allah as pure and free from every blemish and weakness.

After the Muslims became victorious in Arabia and large crowds of people started entering Islam, Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala commanded His Messenger salAllahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam to do hamd and tasbeeh of his Lord. ALLAH asked him to do so that this Victory may not mislead him.

ALLAH asked him to remember that this Victory was not his achievement, but it was the favor and mercy of His Rabb. Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala commanded him to remember and acknowledge him with his entire heart and tongue. He should praise ALLAH and show gratitude towards him for the Victory. It belongs to Allah alone. His heart ought to be full of confidence that the achievement of his exertion and battle was reliant upon Allah’s help and aid. Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala could take this service from any of His servants He pleased. Therefore, his favor was that He had taken this service from Muhammad salAllahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam and made this religion Islam, meet success through him.

Surah Al Nasr defines the kind of etiquette Islam teaches its followers to adopt. A person may have performed the highest possible service to the religion of Allah, offered countless sacrifices in His case, and exerted himself intensely. However, he ought to never consider the idea that the entirety of his accomplishments was principally his endeavors.

Benefits to Take Away from Surah Nasr

• Try not to boast off any of your love, dedication, or religious responsibility as something brilliant. 
• Instead of boasting and bragging about your accomplishments, stay humble and keep your tongue moist with Allah subhanahu wa taala’s tasbeeh and hamd.
• Surah Nasr also teaches that it is Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala Who chooses His people. He is the One Who decides what task He is going to take from whom. If Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala does not give us the strength, courage, and wisdom to carry out His commands, we can never achieve anything.
• Let us not be deluded by the successes we gain in this world. It was Allah’s special favor upon us, and hence, it deserves gratitude and praise.
• Our du’a should be, 

“Lord, overlook and forgive whatever weakness I might have shown in rendering Your right, and accept the little service that I have been able to perform.” (Aameen)

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