Surah al-Anfāl

Shaykh al-Islām said:

Section

The Exalted said concerning the events at Badr:

“When you sought your Lord’s help, He answered you: ‘I will reinforce you with a thousand angels, following one another.’”

“Allah made this only as good news, and so that your hearts might be reassured by it.”

He promised them reinforcement with a thousand angels unconditionally, and stated that He made this reinforcement good news, without qualification. Concerning the events at Uhud, He said:

“When you said to the believers, ‘Is it not enough for you that your Lord should reinforce you with three thousand angels sent down?’”

“Yes indeed! If you remain steadfast and mindful of Allah, and the enemy comes upon you suddenly, your Lord will reinforce you with five thousand angels bearing distinguishing marks.”

There are, I believe, two views on this. The first is that it relates to Uhud, in view of His subsequent words:

“So that He might cut off a section of those who disbelieved”—to the end of the verse—

and because it is a conditional promise. And His words in that account:

“And not