[Pooya/Ali Commentary 22:38] Allah promises to defend the believers against the evil of their enemies. When the pagans of Makka were persecuting and torturing the Holy Prophet and the believers, the believers sought permission of the Holy Prophet to fight against them but the permission was put off to the days the Muslims migrated to Madina and became organised. Then permission was given to defend themselves against aggression because they were driven out of their homes (migration to Abyssinia). This was the first revelation for jihad. Refer to the commentary of al Baqarah: 251. Aziz means exalted in power, authority, rank, honour; incomparable, full of might and majesty, able to enforce His will.