Name
The Sura derives its name from the sentence yuqatiluna fi sabil-i- hlsaff-an of verse 4; thereby implying that it is a Sura in which the word saff occurred.
Period of Revelation
It could not be known from any reliable tradition
but a study of its subject-matter shows that this Sura probably was sent down in the period closely following the Battle of Uhud
for by reading between the lines perceives a clear description of the con Theme and Subject Matter Its theme is to exhort the Muslims to adopt sincerity in Faith and to struggle with their lives in the cause of Allah. It is addressed to the Muslims with weak faith as well as those who had entered Islam with a false profession of the Faith and also tho At the outset the believers have been warned to the effect; "Allah indeed hates those people who say one thing and do another
and He indeed loves. those who fight in the cause of the Truth
standing like a solid structure
against the enemies of Allah."' In vv. 5-7 the people of the Holy Prophet's community have been warned that their attitude towards their Messenger and their Religion should not be like the attitude that the Israelites had adopted towards the Prophets Moses and Jesus (peace be upon them) Then
in vv. 8-9 a proclamation has been made with the challenge:"The Jews and the Christians
and the hypocrites
who are conspiring with them
may try however hard they may to extinguish this Light of Allah
it will shine forth and spread in the world In vv. 10-13
the believers have been told that the way to success both here and in the Hereafter is only one: that they should believe in Allah and His Messenger sincerely and should exert their utmost in Allah's Way with their selves and their wealth. In conclusion
the believers have been exhorted to' the effect that just as the disciples of the Prophet Jesus had helped him in the cause of Allah
so should they also become "helpers of Allah"
so that they too are blessed withthe same kind of good pl