Tafsir of Muhammad 47:11

Surah Muhammad (47): Verse 11

{ذالك} (That) is subject to interpretation:

1. It may refer to the victory (mentioned previously), which is the view chosen by a group, mentioned by Al-Wahidi.
2. Another interpretation, stranger in transmission but closer to reason, is that since We explained that the verse {And for the disbelievers are the likes thereof} (Muhammad: 10) indicates that the people of Muhammad (peace be upon him) were destroyed by those similar to them—people who would not accept sitting with them—which is more painful than destruction by a general cause, Allah Almighty says: {ذالك} (That), meaning this destruction and humiliation, is because Allah Almighty supports the believers. The disbelievers have taken gods that neither benefit nor harm, and they have abandoned Allah, so they have no supporter. There is no doubt that the one whom Allah Almighty supports is capable of killing and capturing, even if the enemy had a thousand supporters, let alone when they have no supporter at all.

If it is asked how to reconcile {لا مولى لهم} (They have no protector/patron) with {مولاهم الحق} (Allah is their true Protector/Patron) (Al-An'am: 62), we reply that the word Mawla (protector/patron) is used to mean Master, Lord, and Supporter. Where it says {لا مولى لهم}, it means they have no supporter. Where it says {مولاهم الحق}, it means their Lord and Owner, just as He says: {O mankind, fear your Lord} (An-Nisa: 1) and {Your Lord and the Lord of your ancient fathers} (Ash-Shu'ara: 26).

There is a great contrast between the disbeliever and the believer: the believer is supported by Allah, who is the best of supporters, while the disbeliever has {لا مولى لهم} (no protector/patron) using the structure that negates existence entirely, meaning he has absolutely no supporter, and he is the worst of supporters.

Then the Almighty says:

{إن الله يدخل الذين ءامنوا وعملوا الصالحات جنات تجرى من تحتها الانهار والذين كفروا يتمتعون ويأكلون كما تأكل الانعام والنار مثوى لهم}

Summary of the Verse's Meaning:

• The Believers' Reward: Allah will admit those who believe and perform righteous deeds into Gardens (Paradise) through which rivers flow.
• The Disbelievers' State: Those who disbelieve indulge in worldly pleasures and consume like grazing animals.
• The Final Abode: The Fire (Hell) will be their final dwelling place (mathwa).