Some commentators have said that this promise refers to the...

Some commentators have said that this promise refers to the saying that the Prophet (S) had said before announcing that soon the tribes of Arab and the Muslims’ different enemies would unite with each other and come to attack them, but finally Muslims would be victorious. When the believers observed the attack of the clans they became sure that it was that very promise of the Prophet (S).

They said: “Now that the first part of the promise has taken place, the second part of it, that is triumph, will surely happen, too.” So, their faith and submission increased in them. Another thing is that in Surah Al-Baqarah, No. 2, verse 214 Allah had told the Muslims: “Or have you supposed you will enter Paradise untouched by the suffering which was endured by those before you?

They were afflicted by distress and adversity and were so shaken that…said: ‘When will Allah’s help (come)?’…” In brief, they had been told that they would be seriously tried by different hard examinations, and observing the clans, they understood the statement of Allah and His Messenger (S) and thus their faith increased.

“Among the believers are men who were true to their covenant with Allah; some of them have fulfilled their vow (by martyrdom), and some are still awaiting and they have not changed in the least,” To defend from the truth mainly as far as the boundary of martyrdom, is the sign of truthfulness in faith.

This verse points to two special groups of the believers who always were before others in following the Prophet (S), and were steadfast in their covenant with Allah, i.e., in self-sacrifice until their last breath and that their last drop of blood to be shed. Some of them kept their words and became martyr in the field of Holy Struggle, and some others are waiting, too.