Verse of Quran

 مِنْ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ رِجَالٌ صَدَقُوا مَا عَاهَدُوا اللَّهَ عَلَيْهِ فَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ قَضَى نَحْبَهُ وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَنْتَظِرُ وَمَا بَدَّلُوا تَبْدِيلًا.

"Among the believers, there are those who remain true to the covenant they made with Allah. Some have already fulfilled their vows, while others are still awaiting their turn, and they have not wavered in the slightest." (Surah Ahzab 33:23)

The circumstances surrounding the revelation of this verse are explained in two aspects:

Firstly, it is said that the verse was revealed to praise Imam Ali (a.s.) and his close associates. As recounted in Majmaul Bayan, Imam Ali (a.s.) reported, "I, along with my uncle Hamza, my brother Ja’far, and my cousin Ubaidah, had made a pledge to the Holy Prophet (S) to carry out tasks for the pleasure of Allah and His Prophet. My companions remained steadfast and were the first martyrs in the path of Allah. Subsequently, I was entrusted with certain missions by Allah. Hence, Allah revealed this verse: '…so of them is he who accomplished his vow…' Those who fulfilled their promises were Hamza, Ja’far, and Ubaidah. As for me, I am patiently awaiting martyrdom, as I have not altered anything in the religion."

Additionally, Ibne Mahyar and Ali Ibne Ibrahim have narrated from Imam Baqir (a.s.), and in Ali Ibne Ibrahim's tradition, 'Nahab' signifies death.

Secondly, this verse is regarded as a commendation of the perfect believer. As Kulaini recounts from an authentic tradition by Imam Sadiq (a.s.), faithful individuals fall into two categories. The first group consists of those who have made a covenant with Allah and have fully honored their commitment. They are described in the verse: 'Of the believers are men who are true to the covenant which they made with Allah…' The second group comprises believers who are not immune to the trials and tribulations of this world and the hereafter. Their condition can be likened to a blade of grass, swaying in the wind or standing upright, depending on circumstances. These believers sometimes struggle with their desires but, ultimately, maintain their faith. They fear the worldly and heavenly consequences of their actions and may require intercession, unable to intercede for others themselves, but their ultimate fate is promising.

Imam Sadiq (a.s.) also affirmed that Allah mentioned certain individuals in the Quran with the verse: 'Of the believers are men who are true to the covenant which they made with Allah…' He assured them, "You have indeed fulfilled the promise Allah took from you, which is our Wilayat (leadership), and you have not replaced us with others."

Furthermore, Imam Sadiq (a.s.) conveyed that the Holy Prophet (S) told Imam Ali (a.s.), "O Ali, whoever befriends you has truly fulfilled their promise, while those who do not befriend you are still awaiting, and every day the sun that rises upon them is related to their sustenance and faith."

It is well-documented in numerous traditions that when Imam Husain (a.s.) was in the desert of Kerbala, after one of his companions was martyred, and another was about to bid farewell, the Imam would recite this very verse.