The Believers’ Benefit from God’s Special Sufficiency

In some verses, such as “And whoever opposes the Messenger after guidance has become clear to him and follows other than the way of the believers_—We will give him what he has taken and drive him into Hell, and evil it is as a destination”(572), and “And whoever opposes God and His Messenger—_then indeed, God is severe in penalty”(573), the specific warning and threat to the people of discord (shiqāq) is stated. Similarly, in other verses, the specific promise to the believers is presented. However, the phrase “God will suffice you against them” (fa-sayakfīkahum Allāh) contains two points: one is the promise of victory and triumph for the Muslims, and the other is the warning to the disbelievers and the threat of defeat to the people of discord.

The general principle of the believers benefiting from God’s special sufficiency is that if someone becomes a “servant” (ʿabd) of God, the Glorious God will suffice for his affairs: “Is not God sufficient for His servant?”(574), “But if they turn away, say, ‘Sufficient for me is God’”(575), “O Prophet, sufficient for you is God and for whoever follows you of the believers”(576).

The Glorious God fulfills His promise regarding the sufficiency for the believers, and this promise, which is expressed with a present tense verb indicating continuity: “God will suffice you against them” (fa-sayakfīkahum Allāh), continues, and God suffices the believers with His material and spiritual help.

Note: The sufficiency against enemies is in regard to their enmity, not their essence. Therefore, the sufficiency attributed to their essence is in regard to their distinguished attribute of hostility; that is, “He will suffice against their discord” (fa-sayakfī shiqāqahum).(577)

By declaring that the enemies of Islam are in discord and obstinacy, grounds for concern among Muslims were created, as they were very powerful in terms of population, offensive capabilities, internal and external conspiracies, and so on. However, with the divine promise of sufficiency, not only was the cause for anxiety removed, but the means for tranquility and peace of heart were provided.

This divine tradition is not specific to a particular generation or a special era and place. Rather, in any time and in any land, and with any language they speak, if they have been true Muslims, they will be subject to God’s infallible promise.