And the Medinan reciters read it as yughshīkum, with a ḍammah (u-vowel) on the yā’ and a kasrah (i-vowel) on the ungeminated shīn, with al-nuʿās (drowsiness) in the accusative, as in His saying, Most High: “as though their faces had been covered.” The others recited it as yughasshīkum, with a ḍammah on the yā’ and a kasrah on the doubled shīn, with al-nuʿās in the accusative, indicating that Allah is the subject of the verb, as in His saying, Most High: “Then He covered it with that which He covered it.” (Al-Najm 53:54) Drowsiness is light sleep.

His saying, “as a security from Him,” means safety. It is a verbal noun derived from “I was safe,” which may be expressed as amnan, amanatan, or amānan. Abd Allah ibn Masud, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “Drowsiness during battle is a security from Allah, whereas during prayer it is a whispering from Satan.”

“And He sends down upon you water from the sky to purify you thereby.” This was because, on the day of Badr, the Muslims camped upon a pale sand dune in which feet and the hooves of mounts would sink. The polytheists had reached the water of Badr before them, while some of the Muslims had entered a state requiring minor ablution and others were in a state of major ritual impurity. They were afflicted by thirst, and Satan whispered to them, saying: “You claim that you are upon the truth, that the Prophet of Allah is among you, and that you are the allies of Allah; yet the polytheists have gained control of the water before you, while you pray in states requiring ablution and in major ritual impurity. So how can you hope to prevail over them?”

Allah then sent down rain upon them, causing the valley to flow. The believers drank, washed themselves, performed ablution, watered their mounts, and filled their waterskins. The dust was laid, and the ground was compacted so that their feet stood firm upon it. Satan’s whispering departed from them, and their hearts were put at ease. This is the meaning of His saying, Most High: “And He sends down upon you water from the sky to purify you thereby”—from states requiring ablution and from major ritual impurity.

“And to remove from you Satan’s defilement,” that is, his whispering; “and to strengthen your hearts,” with certainty and patience; “and make your feet firm thereby,” so that they would not sink into the sand, through the compacting of the ground. It was also said that He made their feet firm through steadfastness and strength of heart.

“When your Lord inspired the angels”—those by whom He reinforced the believers—“I am with you,” with help and victory; “so make firm those who believe,” that is, strengthen their hearts. It was said that this strengthening consisted of the angels’ presence with them in battle and their assistance to them; that is, make them firm by fighting the polytheists alongside them.

Muqatil said: That is, give them glad tidings of victory. The angel would walk before the ranks in the form of a man and say: “Receive glad tidings, for Allah is your supporter.”

“I shall cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve.” Ata said: This means fear of My allies. “So strike above the necks.” It was said that this address is directed to the believers. It was also said that it is addressed to the angels and is connected to His saying, “so make firm those who believe.” Regarding His saying, “above the necks,” Ikrimah said: It means the heads, because they are above the necks. Al-Dahhak said: Its meaning is: strike the necks; the word “above” functions as a supplementary particle, as in His saying, Most High: “When you meet those who disbelieve, then strike the necks.” (Muhammad 47:4) It was also said that it means: strike upon the necks; thus, “above” here means “upon.”