Title: Incident of Badr in Surah al-Anfaal Question: In ayah 12 it is mentioned that Allah ordered angels to strengthen the mukmin . With it Allah reassures (?) the angels that He is with them. Do angels need reassurance/psychological input like men? In Surah al-Anfaal ayah 13 the beginning is dzalika but for ayah 14 it is dzalikum . Why is it different? Do the 2 ayah not referring to the same phenomenon? In ayah 43 Allah inspires in the prophet's dream that the kuffar is small in no. Whereas they are actually larger. But dreams of prophets are supposed to be true. Also as I understand, Allah only speaks the truth. How could the above phenomenon be explained? Aw Alfansa Malaysia Answer: Surah Al-Anfaal 8: 12 reads as: إِذْ يُوحِي رَبُّكَ إِلَى الْمَلآئِكَةِ أَنِّي مَعَكُمْ فَثَبِّتُواْ الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ... Recall, when your Lord revealed to the angels that I am with you, therefore strengthen the believers... With reference to this verse, you have asked: Allah reassures the angels that He is with them. Do angels need reassurance/psychological input like men? Although, in view of our lack of comprehensive knowledge about angels, we are not in a position to answer whether or not angels need reassurance or not, yet it is clear that one of the clear implications of the words "I am with you" is indeed that of encouragement and reassurance. Therefore, it is obvious that the angels do indeed need reassurance and encouragement from God. Nevertheless, in its particular context, another aspect of this phrase is to remind the angels as well as humans that the ultimate source of all strength is the One True God only. Even all the armies of angels cannot be of any help, without the authority and backing of God. Thus, whether it be angels or humans, the true source of their strength shall only be God. You ask: In Surah al-Anfaal ayah 13 the beginning is dzalika but for ayah 14 it is dzalikum . Why is it different? Do the 2 ayah not referring to the same phenomenon? The difference in the pronouns of the two verses is because of the change in the addressee of the two verses. Verse 13, in continuation of verse 12, addresses the Prophet (pbuh) - and thus the singular pronoun - whereas verse 14 addresses the rejecters - and thus the plural pronoun. You ask: In ayah 43 Allah inspires in the prophet's dream that the kuffar is small in no. Whereas they are actually larger. But dreams of prophets are supposed to be true. Also as I understand, Allah only speaks the truth. How could the above phenomenon be explained? Even though the enemy was actually larger in number than was shown to the Prophet (pbuh), but in his dream the Prophet (pbuh) was shown the enemy from the perspective of their real strength and not merely from the perspective of the numbers. Seen in the light of this explanation, you shall see that there was nothing false entailed in the Prophet's dream. I hope this helps. Regards, Moiz Amjad May 16, 2003