“When two groups among you were about to lose heart, though Allah was their Protector. In Allah, then, let the believers put their trust.”

Part of His kindness and goodness toward them was that when “two groups” of believers—the Banū Salama and the Banū Hāritha, as mentioned above—were about to lose heart, Allah Most High made them steadfast, as a blessing to them and to all the believers. Hence He said, ⦗146⦘ “Though Allah was their Protector”—that is, through His special protection, by which He shows kindness to His believing servants, guides them to what will set their affairs aright, and safeguards them from what would harm them. An instance of His protection of these two groups was that, when they contemplated this grave act of disobedience—losing heart and fleeing from the Messenger of Allah—He safeguarded them from it because of the faith they possessed. As Allah Most High says, “Allah is the Protector of those who believe; He brings them out of darkness into light.”

He then said, “In Allah, then, let the believers put their trust.” This commands reliance upon Allah, which means that the heart depends upon Him to secure benefits and ward off harm, with full confidence in Him. A servant’s reliance upon Allah is commensurate with his faith, and believers have a greater claim than others to rely upon Allah, especially in times of hardship and battle. They are then compelled to rely upon their Lord, seek His aid and victory, renounce all dependence upon their own power and strength, and depend instead upon Allah’s power and strength. Through this, He grants them victory and wards off trials and tribulations from them. Then Allah Most High said: