“Among the believers are men who have been true to their covenant with Allah. Some of them have fulfilled their vow, and others are still waiting; and they have not altered in the least.” (23)

He then described the condition of the believers when they encountered the confederates, saying: “And when the believers saw the confederates, they said”—in submission to Allah’s decree and affirming His promise—“This is what Allah and His Messenger promised us, and Allah and His Messenger spoke the truth.” Allah’s promise to them was what is mentioned in Surat al-Baqarah: “Or did you think that you would enter Paradise while there had not yet come to you the like of what came to those who passed on before you?” up to His saying: “Unquestionably, the help of Allah is near.” (al-Baqarah 2:214)

Thus, the verse indicates that the believers would be struck by a trial like that. So, when they saw the confederates and the hardship that had befallen them, they said: “This is what Allah and His Messenger promised us, and Allah and His Messenger spoke the truth.” “And it only increased them in faith and submission”—that is, affirmation of Allah and submission to His command. (1)

His, exalted is He, saying: “Among the believers are men who have been true to their covenant with Allah” means that they upheld what they had pledged to Allah and fulfilled it. “Some of them have fulfilled their vow” means that they completed their vow and fulfilled their covenant: they remained steadfast in jihad until they were martyred. Nahb means a vow, and it can also mean death. Muqatil said: “Fulfilled his vow” means that he reached his appointed term and was killed while remaining faithful—meaning Hamzah and his companions. It was also said that “fulfilled his vow” means that he exerted his utmost effort in fulfilling the covenant. (2) This is based on the Arabs’ expression, “So-and-so exerted himself in his journey throughout his entire day and night,” when he pressed on without stopping. “And others are still waiting”—for martyrdom.