~During the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab RA (c. 13-15 AH)
Years after the Conquest of Makkah, during the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab RA, Umar held a senior gathering of the elder sahaba, Ansar and Quraysh, and admitted the young Ibn Abbas RA (then about 15-16 years old and a cousin of the Prophet ﷺ) despite objections from elders who had older sons excluded from the gathering. To make his point about Ibn Abbas's knowledge, Umar asked the gathering to explain Surah al-Nasr (Qur'an 110). After other companions gave general answers, Umar turned to Ibn Abbas, who explained that the surah was informing the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ that, now that Makkah had been conquered, his time on earth was drawing to a close, and that he should prepare to meet Allah through increased worship and seeking forgiveness. Umar affirmed that this was the only understanding he himself had of the surah.
This episode, narrated by Ibn Abbas RA and recorded in Sahih Bukhari, became Umar RA's demonstration to the elder sahaba of Ibn Abbas's profound knowledge of tafsir, and preserves the companions' own understanding that Surah al-Nasr, revealed about the Conquest of Makkah, was also a sign that the Prophet ﷺ's death was near; he passed away roughly two years after the Conquest.
Other events recorded around the same time. Their order within the year is not established; use the storyline above for the sequence.
Can you explain to me: "When Allah's help comes and the victory is achieved, and you see the people embracing Allah's Way in crowds, then glorify the praises of your Lord and seek His forgiveness, for certainly He is ever Accepting of Repentance"?
Now you interpret it.
Other Companions in the gathering had already offered their own explanations of the surah before Umar turned to the young Ibn Abbas and asked him next.
They have not spoken correctly. Rather, Allah is informing the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ that when Makkah is conquered, your time on earth is about to come to an end. So prepare to meet Allah by increasing your worship and seeking His forgiveness. Verily, Allah is ever Accepting of Repentance.
This is the only knowledge I have of the Surah.
إِذَا جَاءَ نَصْرُ اللَّهِ وَالْفَتْحُ
“When Allah's [ultimate] help comes and the victory [over Makkah is achieved],”
The surah interpreted by Ibn Abbas RA before Umar RA's gathering.
وَرَأَيْتَ النَّاسَ يَدْخُلُونَ فِي دِينِ اللَّهِ أَفْوَاجًا
“And you [O Prophet] see the people embracing Allah's Way in crowds.”
The surah interpreted by Ibn Abbas RA before Umar RA's gathering.
فَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ وَاسْتَغْفِرْهُ ۚ إِنَّهُ كَانَ تَوَّابًا
“Then glorify the praises of your Lord and seek His forgiveness, for certainly He is ever Accepting of Repentance.”
The surah interpreted by Ibn Abbas RA before Umar RA's gathering.