Al-Hajj · Madani · ayah 40 of 78

Al-Hajj 22:40

ٱلَّذِينَ أُخْرِجُوا۟ مِن دِيَـٰرِهِم بِغَيْرِ حَقٍّ إِلَّآ أَن يَقُولُوا۟ رَبُّنَا ٱللَّهُ ۗ وَلَوْلَا دَفْعُ ٱللَّهِ ٱلنَّاسَ بَعْضَهُم بِبَعْضٍ لَّهُدِّمَتْ صَوَٰمِعُ وَبِيَعٌ وَصَلَوَٰتٌ وَمَسَـٰجِدُ يُذْكَرُ فِيهَا ٱسْمُ ٱللَّهِ كَثِيرًا ۗ وَلَيَنصُرَنَّ ٱللَّهُ مَن يَنصُرُهُۥٓ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَقَوِىٌّ عَزِيزٌ

“[They are] those who have been evicted from their homes without right - only because they say, "Our Lord is Allāh." And were it not that Allāh checks the people, some by means of others, there would have been demolished monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques in which the name of Allāh is much mentioned [i.e., praised]. And Allāh will surely support those who support Him [i.e., His cause]. Indeed, Allāh is Powerful and Exalted in Might.”

Saheeh International

Essence

Driven out for saying 'Our Lord is Allah', the believers learn that He holds back the destroyers of every house where His name is remembered.

A reflection

Who is holding the walls up

The ayah makes a claim about history that is easy to read past. 'Were it not for Allah repelling people, some by means of others', the houses of worship would have been torn down. The pushing is people against people. But the push is His: dafʿu Allāh, Allah's repelling.

One classical commentator gathers the many forms this takes. Sometimes it is the believers holding back an aggressor. Sometimes it is a just ruler restraining people from wronging one another. Sometimes it is an honest witness whose word saves another's property or life. He concludes that the ayah covers all of these. Every one of them is Allah keeping people from each other.

That is humbling for anyone who has ever guarded something good. We think our institutions stand because we maintain them. The trustee, the caretaker, the committee: all believe, a little, that without them the place would fall. They are right that they are needed. They are wrong about who is doing the holding.

The ayah ends with two names. Qawiyy: strong, able to do whatever He wills. ʿAzīz: mighty, the one no one can overpower or reach. The commentators gloss the second as unassailable in His dominion. No one forces His hand, and no one blocks His help.

Then comes a phrase that sounds strange: 'Allah will surely help whoever helps Him'. Does He need help? The commentators answer no. To 'help Allah' means to help His religion and His servants. Real help to Him is impossible, because He lacks nothing. The phrase is an honour offered to us, not a need of His.

So the ego is put in its place twice. You are not holding the walls up. And when you do serve, the One you serve has invited you in.

The full entry has 6 more reflections, questions to sit with, and "Live it today" - with the words, the roots and the tafsir alongside. Free, no account, works offline.