9:26
But Allah did pour His calm on the Messenger and on the Believers, and sent down forces which ye saw not: He punished the Unbelievers; thus doth He reward those without Faith.
Divine Assistance and the Turning Point at the Battle of Ḥunayn
Historical reports describe a critical moment during the Battle of Ḥunayn when a portion of the Muslim army initially retreated after the sudden assault by the Hawāzin forces. During this moment of confusion, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) called out to the retreating soldiers, but his voice was largely drowned out by the noise and chaos of the battlefield. Among those who remained beside him was his uncle al-ʿAbbās, who was known for having a particularly powerful voice. At the Prophet’s instruction, al-ʿAbbās called loudly to the Muhājirūn (Emigrants) and the Anṣār (Helpers), urging them to return to the battlefield. Hearing this call, many of the Muslims regrouped and rallied around the Prophet.
Some historical accounts further report that the Prophet then took a handful of dust or small pebbles and cast them toward the enemy forces. This narrative resembles the well-known report associated with the Battle of Badr, where a similar action is described (see Qur’an 8:17 commentary). Following this moment, the momentum of the battle shifted in favor of the Muslim army, and the opposing tribes of Hawāzin and Thaqīf were eventually defeated and forced to retreat.
The Qur’anic reference to “tranquility” (sakīnah) in connection with this event is interpreted by commentators as the divine calm and reassurance granted to the believers during the battle (see commentary on Qur’an 48:4). Additionally, the phrase “hosts whom you did not see” is commonly understood by classical exegetes to refer to the assistance of angels.
Some commentators record reports from members of the opposing army who later claimed that, during the battle, they encountered figures with bright or white faces whose presence filled them with fear and confusion (al-Rāzī). Despite these accounts, many scholars maintain that the angels’ direct participation in physical combat was limited. As discussed in traditional commentaries on Qur’an 3:124–126, angels are generally believed to have actively participated in battle only during the Battle of Badr.
According to another common interpretation, the role of the angels was not necessarily to fight directly but rather to strengthen the believers spiritually and psychologically. Al-Rāzī explains that their assistance consisted of placing reassurance and inspiration in the hearts of the believers, thereby strengthening their resolve and enabling them to persevere in the struggle.
References:
Nasr, Hossein (2015). Study Quran.