“And another blessing which you love: help from Allah and a victory near at hand. And give glad tidings to the believers.” (13) “O you who believe, be helpers of Allah, as Jesus son of Mary said to the disciples, ‘Who will be my helpers in the cause of Allah?’ The disciples said, ‘We are Allah’s helpers.’ Then a group among the Children of Israel believed, while another group disbelieved. So We supported those who believed against their enemies, and they became victorious.” (14)

“And another blessing which you love”: that is, along with the reward of the Hereafter, you will have another blessing in this present life which you love. That blessing is: “help from Allah and a victory near at hand.” Al-Kalbi said: this refers to victory over Quraysh and the conquest of Makkah. ‘Ata’ said: it refers to the conquest of Persia and Byzantium.

“And give glad tidings to the believers”: O Muhammad, of victory in this world and Paradise in the Hereafter.

He then urged them to support the religion and to strive against those who oppose it, saying: “O you who believe, be helpers of Allah.” The people of the Hijaz and Abu ‘Amr recited ansaran (“helpers”) with nunation, and lillah (“for Allah”) with the lām of possession; while the others recited ansar Allah (“helpers of Allah”) as a genitive construction, in accordance with His saying: “We are Allah’s helpers.”

“As Jesus son of Mary said to the disciples”: that is, support Allah’s religion as the disciples supported it when Jesus, peace be upon him, said to them: “Who will be my helpers in the cause of Allah?” That is: who will support me alongside Allah?

“The disciples said, ‘We are Allah’s helpers.’ Then a group among the Children of Israel believed, while another group disbelieved.” Ibn ‘Abbas said: this was in the time of Jesus, peace be upon him. When he was raised up, his people divided into three groups. One group said, “He was Allah, and then ascended.” Another group said, “He was the son of Allah, so Allah raised him up to Himself.” A third group said, “He was Allah’s servant and His Messenger, so He raised him up to Himself.” These were the believers. A faction of the people followed each of these groups, and they fought one another. The two disbelieving groups prevailed over the believers until Allah sent Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, whereupon the believing group prevailed over the disbelieving one. (1)

This is the meaning of His saying, exalted is He: “So We supported those who believed against their enemies, and they became victorious”—that is, elevated and prevailing.

Mughirah narrated from Ibrahim, who said: The proof of those who believed in Jesus became manifest through Muhammad’s confirmation, peace and blessings be upon him, that Jesus is the Word of Allah and His Spirit. (2)