(Then Allah sent His peace of reassurance) His tranquillity (down upon His messenger and upon the believers, and sent down hosts) from heaven (ye could not see) meaning angels, to assist the believers, (and punished those who disbelieved) through their killing and defeat. The reference here is to the clan of Malik Ibn 'Awf al-Dahmani, and to that of Kinanah Ibn 'Abd Yalayl al-Thaqafi. (Such is the reward of disbelievers) in the life of this world.