Ibrāhīm

وَاسْتَفْتَحُوا وَخَابَ كُلُّ جَبَّارٍ عَنِيدٍ

15. “And they (the prophets as well as the believers) sought victory, but every obstinate oppressor remained deprived.

Once all the prophets performed all their duties with regard to their nations, those who were supposed to become believers accepted the faith and the rest insisted on their paganism, and threatened frequently the prophets. It was at this time that they asked Allah for victory over the pagans. The verse says:

“And they (the prophets as well as the believers) sought victory…”

Allah also accepted the prayer call of these true warriors for holy causes who were genuinely beseeching. And, eventually every deviant stiff-necked person became desperate and perished. The verse says:

“…but every obstinate oppressor remained deprived.

All the prophets were expecting victory. Noah called upon his Lord:

“…Verily I am overcome, so give help’.” ⁵

Other prophets also sought victory from Allah. They used to say:

“…Our Lord! Decide between us and our people with truth, and You are the best of deciders.” ⁶

Thus the Qur’an, the blissful, through many verses deals with the victory of the prophets and the annihilation of the pagans as well as their punishment, declaring to the pagans decisively that the day of conquest will soon come and every spiteful oppressor will be punished by his own retribution.

Footnotes

1. 5. Surah Al-Qamar, No. 54, verse 10
2. 6. Surah Al-A‘r af, No. 7, verse 89