160. " if allah helps you, none can overcome you. but, if he forsakes you,
who is there then that can help you after that ? and on allah
should the believers rely."

commentary:
in the previous verse, trust and reliance in allah was recommended.
in this verse the reason of that reliance is expressed, saying that both
honour and abasement are with allah.
it is narrated in a tradition that the prophet (p.b.u.h.) asked gabriel:

" what is trust in allah ? "

gabriel answered: " it is so that you know people do not give you profit
nor loss, neither they grant nor restrain; and that you be despair of all human
kind. then, when a servant becomes like this, he will not act for any one except
allah; he will not be hopeful of or afraid of anyone but allah; he will not
become desirous in anyone save allah. and, this is the reality of trust,
/tawakkul /."
1

explanations:
1. both overcoming against the enemy, or being defeated from the
enemy, are in the will of allah.

2. natural victories are usually influenced by other factors, but the
divine helps and victories are not like that.

" if allah helps you, none can overcome you. but, if he forsakes you,
who is there then that can help you after that ? and on allah
should the believers rely."


1 bihar-ul-anwar, vol. 71, p. 138