Tafsir of Al-Isra 17:80

"And say: 'My Lord, cause me to enter...'"

It is read as mudkhal and mukhraj with both the damma and the fatha on the mim, in the sense of the verbal noun (masdar).

The meaning of the fatha: "Cause me to enter a truthful entry," meaning: Cause me to enter the grave with a truthful entry—an entry that is pleasing, in a state of purity and free from sins. And "cause me to exit" from it at the Resurrection with a truthful exit—an exit that is pleasing, met with honor, and secure from wrath. This is indicated by its mention immediately following the mention of the Resurrection.

Other interpretations:

• The Migration: It was revealed when he was commanded to migrate, meaning his entry into Medina and his exit from Mecca.
• The Conquest: His entry into Mecca as a conqueror, and his exit from it secure from the polytheists.
• The Cave: His entry into the cave and his exit from it safely.
• The Mission: His entry into the great matter he was burdened with—Prophethood—and his exit from it having fulfilled what he was tasked with, without negligence.
• General: It is general, applying to everything he enters into or engages with, whether it be a matter or a place.

"A supporting authority (sultan)" An argument that grants me victory over those who oppose me. Or, a kingdom and strong might that supports Islam against disbelief and manifests it over it. His supplication was answered by the words: "And Allah will protect you from the people" (Al-Ma'idah: 67), "For indeed, the party of Allah—they are the ones who will be victorious" (Al-Ma'idah: 56), "To manifest it over all religion" (At-Tawbah: 33), and the promise that He would surely strip away the kingdoms of Persia and Rome and grant them to him.

Regarding this, the Prophet (ﷺ) said: He appointed 'Attab ibn Asid over the people of Mecca and said: "Go, for I have appointed you over the people of Allah." He was stern toward the suspicious and gentle toward the believers. He said: "By Allah, I do not know of anyone who stays behind from the congregational prayer except that I will strike his neck, for none stays behind from the prayer except a hypocrite."

The people of Mecca said: "O Messenger of Allah, you have appointed 'Attab ibn Asid, a rough Bedouin, over the people of Allah!" The Prophet (ﷺ) replied: "I saw in a dream as if 'Attab ibn Asid came to the gate of Paradise, took hold of the door ring, and shook it violently until it opened for him, and he entered it. Through him, Allah strengthened Islam by his support of the Muslims against those who wished to oppress them; that is the 'supporting authority' (sultan nasir)."

"And say: 'Truth has come, and falsehood has departed. Indeed is falsehood, [by nature], ever bound to depart.'"