فَما لَهُ مِن قُوَّةٍ وَلا ناصِرٍ

And he shall have neither power nor helper.

EXEGESIS

The word quwwah comes from the root qiwā, generally used for the meaning of power and strength (qudrah). This strength can be physical: Yet help me with some power (18:95), or it can be spiritual strength and mental fortitude: ‘O John!’ [We said,] ‘Hold on with power to the book!’ (19:12), or it can refer to the power of a group or nation that acts together: they acted arrogantly in the earth unduly, and they said: ‘Who is more powerful than us?’ (41:15), or it can be used for divine power: Allah has ordained: ‘I shall surely prevail, I and My apostles.’ Indeed Allah is all-strong, all-mighty (58:21).^{‎[1]Raghib, p. 694.}

Of course, all these powers are simply what God has granted His creation, as There is no power except by Allah (18:39). On the Day of Judgement, when the kingship of God becomes apparent, the illusion of all other powers will cease. Hence, man will realise he has no power except what God gives.

Nāṣir comes from naṣr, meaning to give aid and to help. When one is aided by God no one can overcome him, but without His help no one else can help him to success: If Allah helps you, no one can overcome you, but if He forsakes you, who will help you after Him? (3:160).^{‎[2]Raghib, p. 809.}

Here, then, God is saying that there can be no individual internal strength (power), nor communal external strength (helper) to avail in escaping judgement.^{‎[3]Qurtubi, 20/10.}

EXPOSITION

Following up on the previous verse that highlighted the significance of the secrets of the heart and the hidden intentions of actions, God now turns to the effects of those on the Day of Judgement. The boastful who thought themselves mighty and powerful will have the reality and worthlessness of their arrogance revealed. As for the believers who carried out good deeds, they will see those actions come to fruition: If you help Allah, He will help you (47:7).

The theme of accountability is strongly present in this verse. Often in this world the rich and powerful will use their influence to escape accountability for their actions. However, on the day when the kingdom of God finally becomes apparent – The day when they will emerge [from their graves], nothing about them will be hidden from Allah. ‘To whom does the sovereignty belong today?’ ‘To Allah, the one, the all-paramount!’ (40:16) – that day no amount of worldly wealth or power will aid man, nor will any of his associates and false idols help him. There will only be two things that he may attach his hopes to: his faith in God and his good deeds, and only these will be of any service to him on that day. As such, power in this verse could be a subtle hint to the power of faith, and helper to the good actions, which are the only two things of any value to man on that day. This latter interpretation also fits well with what we mentioned earlier regarding internal (faith) and external (actions) strength.

REVIEW OF TAFSĪR LITERATURE

It is related from Sufyān al-Thawrī that what is meant by power here is tribe (ʿashīrah), and by helper what is meant is ally (ḥalīf).^{‎[4]Tabari, 30/94.} As usual, such specific statements can only be considered instances and examples, as there is no reason to limit the meaning of the verse in such a way. What is more accurate though is what was mentioned earlier, that power here refers to the power of the individual, not a tribe.

[1] Raghib, p. 694.
[2] Raghib, p. 809.
[3] Qurtubi, 20/10.
[4] Tabari, 30/94.