Surah An-Nasr (النَّصْر) is the 110th surah of the Quran. It is a short surah, comprising only three verses. It is the last Surah of the Quran to be revealed, just a few months before the passing of the Prophet. The name of the Surah is taken from its first verse. An-Nasr translates to “The Help”. It can also be translated as “victory”, whereas another Arabic word, “Fath” (الْفَتْحُ), also translates to “Victory”.
In the context of this Surah, both these words are simultaneously used to describe Allah’s سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ Help (النَّصْر), through which victory (الْفَتْحُ) was achieved over Meccans. It refers to the historic event of the conquest of Mecca, which was a landmark victory in the history of Islam. It is believed that this Surah was revealed during the Farewell Pilgrimage (the Last Hajj), the only Hajj performed by the Prophet. Some of the close companions of the Prophet were saddened, on listening to this Surah, as they got the impression that it was a signal of the end of the worldly life of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ.
١١٠ - ٱلنَّصْر
110 - An-Nasr
English
Ahmed Ali
2
Surah An-Nasr was revealed during the Farewell Pilgrimage, in the middle of the Tashriq Days, at Mina. After the revelation of this Surah, the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ delivered his “last sermon”. It is narrated in some traditions that the surah was revealed as an announcement of the completion of the Prophet Muhammad’sصَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ prophetic mission.
While conveying the accomplishment of this most significant task, reference was made to the landmark victory over the Meccans, historically known as the conquest of Mecca, after which all the Arabian tribes began accepting Islam in huge numbers. Narrating this historic event, it was established that the mission of the Prophet was successfully accomplished; hence, the Prophet was commanded by Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ to celebrate it by glorifying and praising Him. It is also believed by the majority of commentators and scholars that it was an indication of the end of the Prophet's worldly life.
Hadith 4294 of Sahih Al-Bukhari narrates the indication of the passing of the Prophet, hidden in this surah.
So, the shaan e nazool of Surah An-Nasr can be summarized as under:
Although Surah An-Nasr was revealed during the Farewell Hajj, in Mina, it is grouped with the Madni Surahs. The reason is that it was revealed after the Prophet’s migration from Mecca to Medina, during his last year of life, 10 AH, 632 CE. In fact, he left this world within three months of its revelation.
It is the 110th Surah of the Quran and appears in Juzz (para) 30. It falls before Surah Al-Masad and after Surah Al-Kafirun. Per the order of revelation, it is the 114th Surah (the last Surah), whereas in the sequence of recitation, it also falls at number 110. Within the 30th Juzz, it comes at number 33.
Surah An-Nasr holds great significance in Islam, both historically and spiritually. In the historical context, it marks the accomplishment of the Prophetic mission to spread the message of Islam. After the conquest of Mecca, specifically referred to in this Surah, almost the entire Arabian Peninsula came under the Islamic state of Medina's umbrella. People from all Arab tribes collectively embraced Islam. So, the prime objective of the Prophetic mission was completed, and Allah's سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ promise of giving him victory over the disbelievers was also fulfilled.
On the other hand, it also signaled the end of the worldly life of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. Though not mentioned explicitly in the Surah, some of his close companions apprehended the hidden message of the end of the Prophet's worldly life. In response to their apprehension, the Prophet said, Yes, it is so.
On the spiritual side, it was commanded that after achieving the ultimate victory and completing the Prophetic mission, the Prophet should praise and glorify Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ and seek His forgiveness. This is the most significant aspect of this Surah; it teaches us the importance of humility, even when we achieve great success in life. It teaches us to remain humble and avoid arrogance in the moments of triumph and success. It also guides us to always attribute such achievements to Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, as nothing is possible without His Will and Command.
Surah An-Nasr is one of the shortest Surahs of the Quran. The entire subject matter and theme are described comprehensively in just three verses. The theme of the Surah also consists of three main points. Firstly, it is precisely described that victory and success come only with divine help. It is also a sort of fulfillment of Allah’s سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ promise of giving victory to the Prophet over the disbelievers. It refers to the conquest of Mecca, which is perhaps the most significant victory in Islamic history, and that too without any bloodshed.
Secondly, it is advisable to display gratitude, humility, and modesty upon achieving success. So, the Prophet and his followers are commanded to glorify and praise Allah, سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, while seeking His forgiveness, in the moments of success. Thirdly, it is indicated that the worldly life of the Prophet is about to come to an end, as his mission has been successfully completed.
The first verse of this Surah describes victory, with Allah’s سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ help, whereas the second verse mentions the dominance of Islam, in the shape of acceptance of Islam by the Arab tribes, in huge numbers. The third and final verse serves as guidance or advice, instructing the Prophet and his followers to associate this success and triumph with Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ. So, they need to praise and glorify Him, while seeking His forgiveness.
Despite being a short Surah, it holds great virtues. It is known as the Farewell Surah, as it announces the completion of the Prophet's mission in the form of the conquest of Mecca, followed by the acceptance of Islam by almost the entire Arab world. Surah An-Nasr is also remembered as the signaling of the passing of the Prophet. Since the mission of the Prophet was successfully completed, for which he was sent to this world, it also marked the end of his worldly life. So, he was commanded to praise and glorify Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ. The Prophet used to frequently recite “SubhanAllahi wa bihamdihi, Astaghfirullah wa atubu ilayh” after the revelation of this Surah, till his death.
For Muslims, this surah also holds some specific benefits, such as:
Listening to the recitation of the Quran, including Surah An-Nasr, is very important. Reciting the Quranic verses with correct pronunciation is essential, as even slight deviations in reading can alter their meanings. It becomes even more difficult for non-Arabic speakers to correctly pronounce the Quranic verses, whereas reading the Quran with Tajweed is a sensitive matter. Hence, listening to the recitation of a renowned and authentic Qari may help us in understanding the correct pronunciation.
On the other hand, sometimes, one may like to just listen to the Quran, instead of reading. At MuslimandQuran, we have uploaded recitations of the Quran by various renowned reciters (Qaris). You can find and select a Qari per your preference to listen to and learn the correct recitation of the Quran. You just need to download the MuslimandQuran mobile application to listen to any Surah of the Quran, including Surah An-Nasr.
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Surah An-Nasr can be downloaded in PDF by following these simple steps:
An-Nasr translates to “The Help”. Sometimes it is also translated as “Victory.” It refers to the conquest of Mecca, where victory came with Allah’s سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, as mentioned in Surah An-Nasr.
Surah An-Nasr has 3 verses.
It reminds us and strengthens our faith that success comes only with the Help and Will of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ. It also reminds us to remain humble and always praise and glorify Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ in the moments of success. It also tells us that one should always avoid arrogance. We should seek repentance and forgiveness, irrespective of what we have achieved.
It can be recited anytime during the day or night. No specific time is associated with its recitation.
Yes, you can listen to it online through the MuslimandQuran mobile application.
Yes, it carries huge rewards, just like any other verse or surah of the Quran. Reciting it regularly, especially, is also an act of following the Sunnah of the Prophet. It protects us from arrogance and keeps us humble all the time, even in times of success.