Surah An-Nasr (110)

It is named Sūrah an-Nasr and Sūrah al-Fatḥ. Ibn Mas`ūd used to call it Sūratut-Tawdē` (Farewell Sūrah).

It is a Madani surah, received by the Prophet (peace be upon him) during his Farewell Ḥajj. Ibn `Abbās reported that when it was revealed, the Prophet ( peace be upon him ) said, “My death has been announced to me.”

Ibn `Abbās also said, “`Umar bin al-Khattāb used to invite me to sit in his assembly along with the companions of the Badr Battle. However, some of them didn’t like it, because they also had sons of my age [who were not invited]. One day he called them all and invited me to come. He then asked the assembly, “What do you say about ‘When the victory of Allāh has come and the Conquest?’ Some of them said, “Allāh orders us to praise Him and ask His forgiveness when His help comes and He gives us victory.” However, some of them remained silent. `Umar turned to me and asked my opinion. I replied, “Prophet Muhammad ( peace be upon him ) was informed that when Allāh’s help has come and victory was attained, it would be a sign that his hour has come. Therefore, he should praise Allāh and ask His forgiveness.” `Umar confirmed, “I know nothing but what you have said.” Then he turned to the assembly and said, “How can you blame me for inviting this boy? You all do not really know who he is.”

Summary of the Sūrah

Allāh has informed Prophet Muhammad ( peace be upon him ), “When Islām attained complete victory in Arabia and the people have entered into Allāh’s religion in multitudes, it would mean that your mission [O Muhammad] has been fulfilled. So praise and glorify your Lord by Whom you were able to accomplish such a great task; and ask Him to forgive whatever failings you might have shown throughout the performance of this task.”

Meaning of the Sūrah

Ayah 1: إِذَا جَآءَ نَصْرُ اللَّهِ وَالْفَتْحُ 

When the victory of Allāh has come and the conquest,

Among the great blessings granted to the Prophet was victory over his enemies. It is referred to in this verse as ‘the victory of Allah’, to call attention to the role of man in the whole process of the struggle. It is also called the “the victory of Allāh” to hint at its greatness and miraculous nature; Allāh is the one who managed its occurrence.

Ibnul-Qayyim described the Conquest of Makkah as the greatest one, by which Allāh gave power to His religion, to His Messenger and his companions.

The city of Makkah was opened peacefully; the Prophet asked the people, “What do you think that I would do to you?” They replied, “(Something) good! For you are a noble brother and a noble nephew.” He then said; ‘Indeed, I want to say to you like what Yūsuf said to his brothers, ‘No blame will there be upon you today.’ Then he added, “Go all of you, for you are free.”

Ayah 2:  وَرَأَيْتَ النَّاسَ يَدْخُلُونَ فِى دِينِ اللَّهِ أَفْوجاً

And you see the people entering into the religion of Allāh in multitudes.

The second blessing granted to the Prophet ( peace be upon him ) was that the majority of the people in Arabia accepted Islām. A great number of delegations arrived at Madēnah successively in the years 9 and 10 AH from all over Arabia to take the oath of allegiance with the Prophet ( peace be upon him ). In fact, the year 9AH was called ‘the Year of Delegations’, 

Ayah 3: فَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ وَاسْتَغْفِرْهُ إِنَّهُ كَانَ تَوِبَا 

Then glorify the praise of your Lord and ask His forgiveness. Indeed, He is ever Accepting of Repentance.

Tasbēh (glorifying) is combined to tahmēd (praising) in this verse. 

Prophet Muhammad ( peace be upon him ) was commanded to glorify and praise Allāh recognizing Him as the source of these victories, and to pray for His forgiveness. He ( peace be upon him ) behaved according to the divine instruction; he entered Makkah with his head bowed down, thanking and praising his Lord and seeking His forgiveness, because he ( peace be upon him ) used to feel his shortcoming in praising His Lord. 

Additionally, praising Allāh and seeking His forgiveness is a part of worship which everyone, whether he is a leader or not, should do constantly.

`Ᾱyshah narrated that after the Prophet ( peace be upon him ) had received the revelation of Sūrah an-Nasr, he ( peace be upon him ) often recited the du`ā:

"سبحانك اللهم ربنا وبحمدك ، اللهم اغفر لي."

‘Glorified be You, O Allāh, our Lord and praised. O Allāh, forgive me.’

He would say it in his rukū` and sujūd, until he ( peace be upon him ) died – practicing what he was instructed to do.”-