in great numbers, yet those who remained would not lose heart. Mentioning their great number is therefore fitting, because many were killed alongside the prophets, and the killing of large numbers of one’s own people tends to make one lose heart. Yet they did not lose heart, despite the great number killed. Had they lost heart, that would have indicated weakness in their faith. He did not say here, “And they did not turn back on their heels.” Had the intended meaning been that their prophet was killed, He would have said, “Then they turned back on their heels,” for that is what He condemned when the Prophet dies or is killed. Thus, glorified is He, He condemned two things: apostasy if the Prophet dies or is killed; and losing heart, weakening, and submitting because of what befell them in Allah’s cause when the enemy gained the upper hand.

For this reason, He said:

“They did not lose heart because of what befell them…”

He did not say, “They did not lose heart because the Prophet was killed.” Had he been killed while they remained alive, He would have used wording appropriate to that circumstance, rather than saying:

“They did not lose heart because of what befell them in Allah’s cause.”

It is well known that what befalls people in Allah’s cause on most military campaigns is not the killing of a prophet.

Moreover, the fact that many companies fought or were killed with a prophet does not necessarily mean that the prophet was present with them on the campaign. Rather, anyone who follows a prophet and fights for his religion has fought with him. Likewise, anyone killed while following his religion has been killed with him. This is what the Companions understood. Their greatest campaigns took place after his death—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—until they conquered Syria, Egypt, Iraq, Yemen, Arab and non-Arab lands, Byzantine territories, and lands in both the west and the east. It was then that the great number of those killed with him became apparent, for many fought and suffered casualties while following the religion of the prophets.

Thus, this verse contains a lesson for all believers until the Day of Resurrection, for they all fight with the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—for his religion, even though he has died. The Companions who went out on military expeditions without the Prophet accompanying them were nevertheless fighting with him. They are included in His words:

“Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and those with him,”

and the rest of the verse, and in His words:

“And those who believed afterwards and emigrated