Muqatil ibn Hayyan narrated from Murrah al-Hamdani, from Abdullah ibn Mas‘ud, regarding this verse: “even if they were their fathers,” referring to Abu Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrah, who killed his father, Abdullah ibn al-Jarrah, on the day of Uhud; “or their sons,” referring to Abu Bakr, who challenged his son to single combat on the day of Badr and said, “O Messenger of Allah, let me be among the first contingent.” The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said to him, “Let us continue to benefit from your company, Abu Bakr”; “or their brothers,” referring to Mus‘ab ibn Umayr, who killed his brother, Ubayd ibn Umayr, on the day of Uhud; “or their kindred,” referring to Umar, who killed his maternal uncle, al-As ibn Hisham ibn al-Mughirah, on the day of Badr; and to Ali, Hamzah, and Ubaydah, who killed Utbah and Shaybah, the sons of Rabi‘ah, and al-Walid ibn Utbah on the day of Badr. (1)

“Those are the ones in whose hearts He has inscribed faith”: He established affirmation in their hearts, so that they are certain and sincere. It was also said: He judged them to possess faith, mentioning the hearts because they are its locus. “And strengthened them with a spirit from Him”: He fortified them with support from Him. Al-Hasan said: He called His support of them a spirit because their affair is brought to life by it. Al-Suddi said: That is, through faith. Al-Rabi‘ said: That is, through the Quran and its proof, as He says: “And thus We have revealed to you a spirit by Our command” (al-Shura 52). It was also said: through mercy from Him. And it was said: He aided them with Gabriel, peace be upon him.

“And He will admit them into gardens beneath which rivers flow, abiding therein forever. Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him. They are the party of Allah. Indeed, it is the party of Allah who will prosper.”