Verse 064 Anfal

Verse 64 of Surah Al-Anfal is called the “Verse of Those Who Follow You” (Ayat Man Ittaba’aka): “O Prophet, sufficient for you is Allah and those who follow you of the believers” (Quran 8:64).

In this verse, to strengthen the pure spirit of the Prophet (peace be upon him), it is stated: Allah and the believers who follow you are sufficient to support you, and with their help, you can achieve your goals. Some commentators have narrated that this verse was revealed when the Jewish tribes of Banu Qurayza and Banu Nadir told the Prophet (peace be upon him) that they were ready to submit to him and follow him (and support him). The verse was revealed to warn the Prophet (peace be upon him) not to rely on them but to place his trust solely in Allah and the believers.

Hafiz Abu Nu’aym, a renowned Sunni scholar, in his book Fada’il al-Sahaba, narrates through his chain of transmission that this verse was revealed about Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him), and the term “believers” refers to Ali (peace be upon him).

However, such interpretations and contexts of revelation do not limit the verse exclusively. Rather, they indicate that someone like Ali (peace be upon him), who stands at the forefront of the believers, is the primary support for the Prophet after Allah among the Muslims, although other believers also stand in subsequent ranks as supporters of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

[1] Tafsir Nemuneh, vol. 7, p. 233; Al-Tibyan fi Tafsir al-Quran, vol. 5, p. 153; Majma’ al-Bayan fi Tafsir al-Quran, vol. 4, p. 857; Al-Durr al-Manthur fi Tafsir bi al-Ma’thur, vol. 3, p. 200; Al-Mizan fi Tafsir al-Quran, vol. 9, p. 121; Al-Tafsir al-Kabir, vol. 15, p. 503.