ﱁ ﱂ ﱃ ﱄ ﱅ ﱆ ﱇ ﱈ ﱉ ﱊ ﱋ ﱌ ﱍ ﱎ ﱏ ﱐ ﱑ ﱒ ﱓ
And remember when you were few and oppressed in the land, fearing that people might abduct you, but He sheltered you, supported you with His victory, and provided you with good things - that you might be grateful.
Tafsir
Verse range: 8:26
"And remember when you were few..."
This means few in number. The nominal sentence is used to indicate the continuity of the state of scarcity they were in and what accompanied it.
"Oppressed in the land..."
This is a second predicate. It has also been permitted that it be an adjective for "few." "In the land" refers to the land of Makkah, under the control of the disbelievers of Quraysh, and the address here is to the Emigrants (Muhajirun). Alternatively, it refers to being under the control of Persia and Byzantium, and the address is to all Arabs, both Muslim and disbeliever, as narrated from Wahb. This has been objected to as being far-fetched and not fitting the context, especially since Persia did not rule over all the Arabs.
"Fearing that the people might abduct you..."
This is a third predicate, or a second adjective for "few," described by a sentence after having been described by others. Abu al-Baqa’ permitted it to be a circumstantial qualifier (hal) referring to the hidden pronoun in "oppressed." The meaning of "the people," according to the first interpretation—which is the more apparent one—is either the disbelievers of Quraysh or the disbelievers of the Arabs, as Ikrimah said, due to their proximity to them and their intense enmity toward them. According to the second interpretation, it refers to Persia and Byzantium.
Al-Daylami and others narrated from Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) that it was said: "O Messenger of Allah, who are 'the people'?" He replied: "The people of Persia." "Abduction" (takhattuf) is like snatching, which is taking something quickly; here it is interpreted as forceful seizure.
In other words: Remember your state at the time of your scarcity, your lowliness, your insignificance in the eyes of the people, and your fear of being snatched away. Or, remember that time:
"He sheltered you..."
Meaning, He sheltered you in Madinah or provided you with a refuge where you could fortify yourselves against your enemies.
"And strengthened you with His support..."
By the backing of the Ansar, or by the reinforcement of the angels on the day of Badr, or by strengthening your influence, for He raised from among you those whose very names cause the hearts of your enemies to tremble.
"And provided you with good things..."
This refers to the spoils of war, which were not made permissible (pure) except for this nation. It is also said that it is general, covering all the delicious foods He gave them. The first interpretation is more appropriate to the context, and the favor (bestowed) is more apparent here. The second interpretation is necessitated for those who consider the address to be directed at all the Arabs.
"...so that you may give thanks"
For these magnificent blessings.
