The Protector of those who have believed is their ally and supporter. In the reading of Ibn Mas'ud: 'the ally of those who have believed.' It is narrated that the Messenger of Allah, blessings and peace be upon him, was in the valley on the Day of Uhud, and wounds had spread among them. It was then that this was revealed. The polytheists called out: 'Exalt Hubal!' The Muslims responded: 'Allah is the Most High and Most Great.' The polytheists called out: 'A day for a day, and war is a back-and-forth; we have a lineage, and you have no lineage.' The Messenger of Allah, blessings and peace be upon him, said: 'Say: Allah is our Protector, and you have no Protector. As for our slain, they are alive, provided for, and as for your slain, they are in the Fire being punished.' [This was narrated by Al-Tabari from the narration of Sa'id from Qatadah, who said: 'It was mentioned to us that this verse, meaning 'Indeed, Allah is the Protector of those who have believed,' was revealed on the Day of Uhud while the Messenger of Allah, blessings and peace be upon him, was in the valley and wounds had spread among them.' There is also a supporting narration in Al-Bukhari from the hadith of Al-Bara' ibn Azib.] If you say: The saying of Allah, the Exalted, 'And they are returned to Allah, their true Protector,' contradicts this verse. I say: There is no contradiction between them, because Allah is the Protector of all His servants in the sense that He is their Lord and the Owner of their affairs, while in the sense of being a supporter, He is the Protector of the believers specifically.