Indeed, Allah’s help is ˹always˺ near.

Allah ta’ala says,

أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَن تَدْخُلُوا۟ ٱلْجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَأْتِكُم مَّثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ خَلَوْا۟ مِن قَبْلِكُم ۖ مَّسَّتْهُمُ ٱلْبَأْسَآءُ وَٱلضَّرَّآءُ وَزُلْزِلُوا۟ حَتَّىٰ يَقُولَ ٱلرَّسُولُ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مَعَهُۥ مَتَىٰ نَصْرُ ٱللَّهِ ۗ أَلَآ إِنَّ نَصْرَ ٱللَّهِ قَرِيبٌۭ ٢١٤

Do you think you will be admitted into Paradise without being tested like those before you? They were afflicted with suffering and adversity and were so ˹violently˺ shaken that ˹even˺ the Messenger and the believers with him cried out, “When will Allah’s help come?” Indeed, Allah’s help is ˹always˺ near.[1]

Sayyid Qutb comments on this ayah, “With these poignant and profound words, and in this direct manner, Allah addresses the founding community of Islam, drawing their attention to the experiences of their fellow believers before them who were entrusted with the same task of establishing the divine code of living on earth. Nevertheless, the message in these words is timeless. It is directed to all human groups to whom Allah assigns that honourable task.

It is an awesome experience that drives Allah’s own Messenger and those who have accepted the faith close to despair and makes there cry out with frustration: ‘When will Allah’s help come?’ It is a picture of great trepidation and unimaginable apprehension that cause a believer’s faith to be tested so severely and shaken in such a profound manner. However, with determination and steadfastness, Allah’s help is sure to arrive, for “Surely, Allah’s help is close at hand.”

Allah’s support that ensures victory is reserved for those who earn it: those who persevere and stand firm to the end in the face of all adversity and misfortune, never wavering but always certain that Allah’s help is on its way. No matter how severe the ordeal may become, true believers will always look to Allah, and to Allah alone, for salvation and support. By displaying such faith and trust in Allah, believers are deservedly rewarded by being admitted into paradise.

The dynamic of social and religious struggle reinforces the human spirit and encourages man to rise above his own ego and so emerge purer and stronger, ready to uphold the faith with greater energy and vigour. Thus, believers become a shining role model even for their most ardent adversaries, some of whom are liable to be impressed and join ranks with the believers, as witnessed throughout human history.

But even if this were not the case, something else much greater and much more admirable happens: advocates of Allah’s order are liberated from subordination to any worldly power or temptation. Life and its comforts become of no real consequence, and man assumes control of his world, which can only mean a triumph for humanity and the human spirit as a whole.

The ingredients of success are faith, hard work, sacrifice, and perseverance. With those, victory is guaranteed and the road to greater, everlasting rewards, to eternal bliss, is direct and clear.”[2]

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,

ضَحِكَ رَبُّنَا مِنْ قُنُوطِ عِبَادِهِ وَقُرْبِ غِيَرِهِ

“Our Lord laughs[3] at the despair of his servants while His change (of their despair) is near.”[4]

Al-Sindhi said:

” الْمَعْنَى أَنَّهُ تَعَالَى يَضْحَكُ مِنْ أَنَّ الْعَبْدَ يَصِيرُ مَأْيُوسًا مِنَ الْخَيْرِ بِأَدْنَى شَرٍّ وَقَعَ عَلَيْهِ ، مَعَ قُرْبِ تَغْيِيرِهِ تَعَالَى الْحَالَ مِنْ شَرٍّ إِلَى خَيْرٍ وَمِنْ مَرَضٍ إِلَى عَافِيَةٍ وَمِنْ بَلَاءٍ وَمِحْنَةٍ إِلَى سُرُورٍ وَفَرْحَةٍ ” .
انتهى من “حاشية السندي على سنن ابن ماجه” 1/ 78 .

“The meaning is that Allah Almighty laughs at the fact that the servant becomes hopeless of goodness with the slightest evil that befalls him, even though Allah Almighty is close to changing his situation.” “Evil to good, from sickness to well-being, and from calamity and adversity to happiness and joy.”[5]