The saying of Allah, the Exalted and Majestic: "And if it had not been for the repulsion of Allah of some people by others, the earth would have certainly been corrupted. But Allah is the Bestower of favor upon the worlds." [Al-Baqarah: 251] "These are the verses of Allah, which We recite to you in truth, and indeed you are among the messengers."

Allah, the Exalted, informs in this verse that if it were not for His repulsion of the believers against the disbelievers throughout time, the earth would have been corrupted. This is because disbelief would have dominated it and persisted in all its regions. However, He, the Exalted, does not leave time without a person standing for the truth, a caller to Allah, and a fighter for Him, until He has made that in the nation of Muhammad, blessings and peace be upon him, until the Day of Resurrection - to Him belongs much praise.

Makkī said: Most of the commentators are of the opinion that the meaning is: If it were not for Allah repelling through those who pray on behalf of those who do not pray, and through those who are pious on behalf of those who are not pious, He would have destroyed the people because of their sins.

Qādi Abū Muhammad, may Allah have mercy on him, said: This is not the meaning of the verse, nor is it from it in any way - and the narration reported by Ibn 'Umar is authentic, and what Makkī mentioned regarding Ibn 'Umar's argument with it based on the verse is not correct in my view, because Ibn 'Umar is among the eloquent.

Abū 'Amr and Ibn Kathīr read: "And if it had not been for the repulsion of Allah," and in Al-Hajj: "Indeed, Allah repels." Nafi' read: "And if it had not been for the defense of Allah," "And indeed, Allah defends." The others read: "And if it had not been for the repulsion of Allah," "And indeed, Allah defends," thus differentiating between them. The defense may be understood as the noun form of 'dafa'a' like 'kataba' (he wrote) and 'laqi' (he met), and it may also be understood as the noun form of 'dafa'a' like 'qātala' (he fought).

The reference in that to what has passed from the stories and news. In this story as a whole is a great example for the believers and a lesson. The companions of Muhammad were prepared for war against the disbelievers, so they have in this incident a lesson that necessitates strengthening the souls, and trust in Allah, and other aspects of reflection.