from fighting them—by killing them and seizing their wealth. “Therefore theirs will be a humiliating punishment.”

“Neither their wealth nor their children will avail them against Allah in any way on the Day of Resurrection. They are the companions of the Fire, abiding therein forever.”

“On the Day Allah resurrects them all, they will swear falsely to Him that they had not been idolaters, just as they swear to you in this world, thinking that their false oaths provide them with something to stand on. Indeed, it is they who are the liars.”

“Satan has overcome them”—that is, he has prevailed over and gained mastery of them—“and made them forget the remembrance of Allah. They are the party of Satan. Indeed, the party of Satan are the losers.

“Indeed, those who oppose Allah and His Messenger will be among the most abased”—the lowest. That is, they are among those upon whom humiliation will fall in this world and the Hereafter.

“Allah has decreed”—that is, Allah has issued a firm decree—“I will surely prevail, I and My messengers. Indeed, Allah is All-Strong, Almighty.” Its parallel is His saying: “And Our word has already preceded for Our servants, the messengers: it is they who will surely be aided.” (al-Saffat 71–72) (1)

Al-Zajjaj said: “The messengers’ prevailing is of two kinds: those among them who were sent with the command to fight prevailed through warfare, while those who were not commanded to fight prevailed through proof.”