Transliteration:( In tastaftihoo faqad jaaa'akumul fathu wa in tantahoo fahuwa khairul lakum wa in ta'oodoo na'ud wa lan tughniya 'ankum fi'atukum shai'anw wa law kasurat wa annal laaha ma'al mu'mineen )
"(O infidels!) If you seek judgment, then this judgment has come to you [39], and if you desist it is better [40] for you, but if you again repeat the mischief, then We shall again punish you. And your party [41] shall be of no help to you, however numerous. Surely Allah is with [42] the believers."
When the disbelievers set out for Badr, they prayed at the Ka‘bah, asking Allah to grant victory to the truthful party. This verse responds: your plea has been answered—truth has prevailed with Islam, and victory came to the Muslims, establishing their divine legitimacy.
If the disbelievers cease hostility and disbelief, it will be better for them—both spiritually and practically. This teaches that obedience to Allah benefits oneself, and is no favor to Allah or His Prophet ﷺ.
This verse contains a prophecy: no matter how large or strong the disbelievers’ armies are, they will not prevail. Historical battles—like Yarmuk, where 40,000 Muslims defeated 700,000 Christians—fulfill this promise. Sincerity and faith bring Allah’s help, even when outnumbered.
Allah’s nearness here refers not to physical proximity, but to His mercy, aid, and blessings. His knowledge encompasses all, but His support belongs to the believers, just as His wrath is with the disbelievers. The victory of the faithful is a sign of this special divine companionship.
19. (O disbelievers) if you ask for a judgement, now has the judgement come unto you; and if you cease (to do wrong), it will be better for you, and if you return (to the attack), so shall We return, and your forces will be of no avail to you, however numerous they be; and verily, Allah is with the believers.
Allah says to the disbeliever,
(If you ask for a judgement), you invoked Allah for victory, judgement and a decision between you and your believing nemesis, and you got what you asked for. Muhammad bin Ishaq and several others reported from Az-Zuhri from `Abdullah bin Tha`labah bin Su`ayr who said that Abu Jahl said on the day of Badr, “O Allah! Whichever of the two camps (pagans and Muslims) severed the relation of the womb and brought us what is not familiar, then destroy him this day.” This Ayah was later on revealed,
(If you ask for a judgement, then now has the judgement come unto you,) until the end of the Ayah. Imam Ahmad recorded that `Abdullah bin Tha`labah said, “Abu Jahl asked for (Allah’s judgment) when he said upon facing the Muslims, `O Allah! Those among us who severed the relations of the womb and brought forth what we do not recognize, then destroy him this day.”’ This was also recorded by An-Nasa’i in the Book of Tafsir (of his Sunan) and Al-Hakim in his Mustadrak, and he said, “It is Sahih according to the criteria of the Two Shaykhs, and they did not record it. ”. Similar statements were reported from Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, Ad-Dahhak, Qatadah, Yazid bin Ruwman and several others. As-Suddi commented, “Before the idolators left Makkah for Badr, they clung to the curtains covering the Ka`bah and supplicated to Allah for victory, `O Allah! Give victory to the exalted among the two armies, the most honored among the two groups, and the most righteous among the two tribes.’ Allah revealed the Ayah, F
(If you ask for a judgement, then now has the judgement come unto you.) Allah says here, `I accepted your supplication and Muhammad gained the victory.”’
`Abdur-Rahman bin Zayd bin Aslam said; “This is Allah the Most High’s answer to their supplication;
(And (remember) when they said: “O Allah! If this is indeed the truth from you..)” ﴿8:32﴾
Allah said next,
(and if you cease…) from your disbelief and rejection of Allah and His Messenger ,
(it will be better for you), in this life and the Hereafter. Allah said,
(and if you return, so shall We return…) This is similar to another Ayah,
(but if you return (to sins), We shall return (to Our punishment).) ﴿17:8﴾ meaning, `if you persist in your disbelief and misguidance, We shall repeat the defeat that you suffered,’
(and your forces will be of no avail to you, however numerous they be…) for even if you gather whatever forces you can, then know that those whom Allah is with cannot be defeated,
(and verily, Allah is with the believers.) in reference to the Prophet’s group, the side of the chosen Messenger .
(8:19) (Tell the unbelievers:) ‘If you have sought a judgement, then surely a judgement has come to you. [15] And if you desist from disobedience, it is all the better for you. But if you revert to your mischief, We will again chastise you; and your host, howsoever numerous, will never be of any avail to you. Know well, Allah is with the believers.’
15. Before marching out from Makka the unbelievers held the covering of the Ka’bah and prayed: ‘O God! Grant victory to the better of the two parties.’ Abu Jahl, in particular invoked God’s judgement: ‘O God! Grant victory to the one who is in the right and cause humiliation to the wrong-doer.’ God answered these prayers fully and the outcome of the battle clearly pointed to the party which was in the right.
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