Tafsir of Ibraheem 14:12

(And why should we not rely upon Allah?) The subject of dispute regarding the inclusion of the speaker in the generality of his speech—where his inclusion is not known by the method of al-awla (the priority) and there is no evidence for it—is not applicable here. There is the possibility that the meaning is that the believers intended themselves, and (And why should we) is a shift in address, but such a shift is not intended here. The combination of waw and fa has been discussed previously.

(Ma) is interrogative, inquiring about the reason and excuse. (An) is on the supposition of a preposition, meaning: "What excuse do we have for not relying upon Him, the Exalted?" The use of the explicit noun (Allah) instead of a pronoun is to demonstrate enthusiasm for relying upon Him, Glorified and Exalted is He, to derive pleasure from His name, and to state the reason for the reliance.

(For He has guided us to our ways) meaning: while He, the Glorified, has done for us that which necessitates such reliance and demands it, in that He has guided each of us to his path and method which He has ordained for him and made incumbent upon him to follow in religion.

Abu ‘Amr read (subulana) with a quiescent ba. Since the harm caused by the disbelievers is something that necessitates anxiety and agitation—which undermines reliance—they said, for the purpose of stressing the oath and demonstrating the perfection of their resolve: (And we will surely be patient against whatever you harm us with). (Ma) is masdariyyah (forming a verbal noun), meaning: "Your harming us through stubbornness, demanding signs, and other things in which there is no good." It is also permitted that it be relative, meaning "that which," with the pronoun omitted—i.e., "that which you harmed us with." The original expression would have been adhaytumoona bihi; whether the bi was omitted or the ba was omitted and the verb connected to the pronoun are two [different] opinions.

(And upon Allah) exclusively (let the rely-ers rely).

(i.e., let the rely-ers continue in the reliance they have established). The intent here is the believers; expressing them with this description is because they were previously described by it. The purpose of the messengers in saying this is similar to their purpose in what preceded it. It is sometimes interpreted figuratively regarding the subject; thus, the meaning would be: "And upon Him, the Glorified, let those who desire reliance rely." However, the first [interpretation] is more appropriate. Al-Hasan read the imperative lam in (li-yatawakkal) with a kasra, which is the original form.

Furthermore, some have mentioned that among the specific properties of this verse is the repelling of the harm of fleas. Al-Mustaghfiri narrated in al-Da'awat from Abu Dharr, from the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, that he said: "If a flea harms you, take a cup of water, recite over it seven times: 'And why should we not rely upon Allah,' to the end of the verse, and say: 'If you are believers, then withhold your evil and harm from us.' Then sprinkle it around your bed, and you shall spend the night safe from their evil."

Al-Daylami also narrated in Musnad al-Firdaws from Abu al-Darda’ as a marfu' narration similar to that, though it does not contain the phrase "If you are believers, then withhold your evil and harm from us." I have not verified the authenticity of this report, nor have I tested it, as fleas have no craving for me, praise be to Allah. I suspect this is due to the salinity of my blood, as some physicians have informed me. Allah, the Exalted, knows the truth of the matter.