And remember that we have entered into covenant with the Prophets, and with thee, and with Noah, and Abraham, and Moses, and Jesus, Son of Mary:  and we formed with them a strict covenant,

That God may question the men of truth as to their truth.4 But a sore torment hath He prepared for the unbelievers.

O believers!5 remember the goodness of God towards you, when the armies came against you, and we sent against them a blast, and hosts that ye saw not; for the eye of God was upon your doings: 

When they assailed you from above you, and from below you,6 and when your eyes became distracted, and your hearts came up into your throat, and ye thought divers thoughts of God: 

Then were the faithful tried, and with strong quaking did they quake: 

And when the disaffected and the diseased7 of heart said, “God and his Apostle have made us but a cheating promise:” 

And when a party of them said, “O people of Yathrib!8 there is no place of safety for you here;9 therefore return into the city.”  And another party of you asked the prophet’s leave to return, saying, “Our houses are left defenceless.”  No! they were not left defenceless:  but their sole thought was to flee away.

If the enemy had effected an entry at all points, and they (the disaffected) had been asked to promote confusion, they would have done so; but only a short time would they have remained in it.-(Medina).10

They had before pledged themselves to God that they would not turn their backs; and a pledge given to God must be enquired of.

Say:  Flight shall not profit you; if ye have fled the death or the slaughter, yet even then, but a little while shall ye enjoy your good things!

Say:  Who is he that will screen you from God, whether He choose to bring evil on you, or to shew you mercy?  None beside God shall they find to be their patron or helper.

God well knoweth those among you who cause hindrances, and those who say to their brethren, “Come hither to us;” and who come not to the fight except a little.

It is out of covetousness in your regard:  for when an alarm cometh, thou mayest see them look to thee, and roll their eyes like him on whom the shadows of death have fallen!  Yet, when the alarm is passed, with sharp tongues will they assail you, covetous of the best of the spoil.  No faith have these!  God will make their doings of no avail!  And easy is this with God.

They thought that the confederates would never retire:11 and were the confederates to come again, they would fain be dwelling among the Arabs of the desert, and there ask news about you! for though they were with you, they fought not except a little.

A noble pattern had ye in God’s Apostle, for all who hope in God, and in the latter day, and oft remember God!

And when the faithful saw the confederates, they said, “This is what God and His Apostle promised us,12 and God and His Apostle spoke truly:”  and it only increased their faith and self-devotion.