(117–118) “Allah has indeed turned in mercy to the Prophet, the Emigrants, and the Helpers who followed him in the hour of hardship, after the hearts of a group among them had almost swerved. Then He turned in mercy to them. Indeed, He is Most Kind and Merciful toward them.”

Allah Most High informs us that, out of His kindness and beneficence, He turned in mercy to the Prophet Muhammad—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—“the Emigrants, and the Helpers.” He forgave their lapses, multiplied their good deeds, and elevated them to the highest ranks. This was because they undertook difficult and arduous deeds. Thus He says: “Who followed him in the hour of hardship.” That is, they set out with him to fight the enemy in the campaign of Tabūk (1), amid intense heat, a shortage of provisions and mounts, and a numerous enemy—all of which gave cause to remain behind.

They therefore sought Allah Most High’s help and carried it through, “after the hearts of a group among them had almost swerved”—that is, their hearts nearly turned away and inclined toward ease and repose. But Allah made them steadfast, supported them, and strengthened them. A heart’s swerving means its deviation from the straight path. If that deviation affects the foundation of religion, it constitutes disbelief. If it concerns the religion’s prescribed laws, its ruling corresponds to the particular prescription from which one has deviated: one has either fallen short in carrying it out or performed it in a manner not sanctioned by the Sharia.

His words, “Then He turned in mercy to them,” mean that He accepted their repentance. “Indeed, He is Most Kind and Merciful toward them.” Among the manifestations of His kindness and mercy is that He bestowed repentance upon them, accepted it from them, and made them steadfast in it.