Bismillāh. 26 August 2022/28 Muharram, 1444
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قَالَ مَنْ أنْصَارِي إلَى اللَّه
Qāla man ansārī ilallah
He said: Who will be my helpers in Allah’s way?
(Sūrat Āli Imrān, No 3, Āyat 52)
This verse is a question asked by Nabī ‘Īsā ‘alayhis-salām to his people. He wanted to distinguish between those who believed and those who did not really believe. Only a small group of people answered positively and accepted to be from his helpers in the way of Allah ‘azza wajall. They told him they were ready to be Allah’s helpers. This special group of people were called the ‘Hawāriyyūn’. This verse also shows that Prophets did not have self interest when they preached to people. They only wanted to work for Allah subhānahu wata‘ālā.
Being the helpers of Allah is also mentioned in another place in the Quran where Allah Himself invites believers to be His helpers. He says: O you who believe! be helpers (in the cause) of Allah (Q 61:14). Although Allah is Needless and Self-Sufficient, He asks believers to help Him, thereby actually helping themselves. Similarly, He asks them to give Him a loan even though He is the source of all wealth: If you loan Allah a goodly loan, He will multiply it for you and forgive you. And Allah is Most Appreciative and Forbearing (Q 64:17). These and similar verses show affection and love for the human beings, encouraging them to work with Him and in the process gain everlasting happiness.
To be the helpers of Allah means to help His religion. It means to spread His word and make people aware of Him. When believers accept the invitation to be helpers of Allah, they become true representatives of Allah on earth. They work on the earth on His behalf. Allah helps His helpers. He says in the Quran: O you who believe! f you help (the cause of) Allah, He will help you and make firm your feet (Q 47:7) It is only through Allah’s help that we can be successful in becoming His helpers.
The companions of Imam al-Husayn ‘alayhis-salām were the helpers of Allah. They answered the call of their Imam and helped him fight against those who wanted to destroy the religion of Allah. Though a few in number, these companions were the embodiment of faith and loyalty. Their love of Allah and desire to help His representative was very strong and helped them face all the difficulties they had to with a positive spirit. Burayr ibn Khuzayr is reported to have joked on that day. A companion told him that it is not the time for joking during the serious moment of combat. Burayr, however, told him: My clan knows that, neither in my youth nor in my old age, have I been a humorous person; yet God knows that today I am so exhilarated that I am going to meet my Lord.
May this verse inspire us to be from the helpers of Allah (swt) and learn from the examples of the martyrs of Karbala.
Sources: Āyatullāh Nāsir Makārim Shirāzī (Ed.), Tafsīr-e Namūneh; https://www.qudsonline.ir/news/457217
https://parstoday.com/en/radio/programs-i64157 imam_hussein’s_companions_from_the_past_to_the_present_(1)