8. Al-Anfal/The Spoils of War

I/We begin by the Blessed Name of Allah

The Immensely Merciful to all, The Infinitely Compassionate to everyone.

08:01
O The Prophet!
They ask you about the spoils of war to whom do they belong?
Tell them:
‘The spoils of war belong to Allah and The Messenger Muhammad.
So be mindful of Allah in reverence, awe, and piety, and
in case of disputes resolve them amicably and maintain good relations among yourselves.
And obey Allah and HIS Messenger, if you are true believers.’
08:02
Indeed, the true believers are those whose hearts fill up with awe whenever they are
reminded of Allah,
and whose faith is further strengthened whenever HIS Messages are recited out to them,
and who put their trust in their Rabb - The Lord to take care of their affairs.
08:03
It is they who establish the Salat/Prayers,
and spend in the Cause of Allah of what WE provide for them.
08:04
It is they – they are the true believers.
For them are high ranks of honor and dignity with their Rabb - The Lord,
as well as forgiveness of sinful trespasses, and
generous provisions in Paradise.
08:05
A similar situation of dispute arose when your Rabb - The Lord caused you to leave your home to fight for the Cause of Truth,
although a group of the believers were, in fact, unwilling to do it,
08:06
…. arguing with you about the truth even after it had become quite clear
as if they were being driven to their own death with their eyes wide open.
08:07
And remember even when Allah was promising you that one of the two enemy groups will be yours,

although you were desiring the one that was an unprotected trade caravan from Syria.
While Allah Willed to establish the Truth with HIS Words and made it triumphant,
and to cut-off the roots of the disbelievers at Badr,
so HE commanded you to fight…..

08:08
….so as to establish the Truth and make it triumphant, and
falsify the falsehood,
even though the wicked be averse to it.

08:09
And recall the occasion when you were fervently praying on to your Rabb - The Lord for help,
whereupon HE responded to you favorably, saying:
‘I am going to reinforce you with a thousand angels -
following behind in successive formations, row after row.

08:10
And Allah gave the good news only as a message of hope and assurance for your hearts -
so you would know that there is no victory except from Allah.
Indeed, Allah is Almighty, All-Wise.

08:11
Remember when HE covered you with the slumber as a measure of contentment and
reassurance from HIM against the anxiety that had befallen you,
and HE sent down rainwater from the sky to purify you with it,
and to rid you of Satan’s enticement,
and to strengthen your hearts,
and thus steady your feet on the battlefield.

08:12
Remember when your Rabb - The Lord revealed on to the angels to bring a message of hope and assurance to your heart that said:
‘Indeed, I am with you!
So make the believers stand firm.
I am going to cast dread into the hearts of those who disbelieve.
So strike them over their necks, and strike at every joint and incapacitate them to fight
against you.’

08:13
That was to be so because they opposed Allah and HIS Messenger.
And whoever opposes Allah and HIS Messenger should know that:
Allah is definitely Severe in Punishment against him.

08:14
‘This defeat is for you, O Enemies of Allah!
So taste it!’
Indeed, for these disbelievers, there is further suffering through the Fire.

08:15
O The Faithful!
Whenever you encounter in physical combat those who disbelieve,
never turn your backs to them.

08:16
And know that whoever would turn his back to them, at such a time, except as a battle maneuver, or to rejoin his side,
then, indeed, he would have incurred the Wrath of Allah on himself,
and his refuge will be Hell -
a terrible destination!

08:17
So the fact is - O The Faithful - that
it were not you who slew them – the enemy forces at Badr by yourselves – but Allah slew them by giving you assistance.
And it was not you, O The Prophet, who threw when you threw onto the enemy forces, but it was Allah who threw it by making that throw reach them,
so as to show HIS Power and to reward the believers generously for their efforts in the form of victory and spoils of war.
Surely, Allah is All-Listening, All-Knowing of all things.

08:18
Whatever happened is before you,
and take the good news that Allah weakens the cunning of the disbelievers.

08:19
O the disbelievers!
If you had been seeking a verdict, so the verdict has now come to you in the form of victory for the believers.
And if you desist from opposition and hostility against The Prophet, it will be best for you.
But if you revert to it – fight against the Prophet, WE too will revert and assist him against you, and
your forces, however great its numbers, will be of no use,
for Allah is always with the believers and HE helps them to victory.

08:20
O The Faithful!
Obey Allah and HIS Messenger,
and do not turn away from him when you hear him speak.

08:21
And do not be like those who say:
‘We have heard,’
when in fact they were not even hearing.

08:22
Indeed, the worst of the living creatures in Allah’s Sight are:
the deaf, and
the dumb -
those who do not understand.

08:23
For if Allah had known any good qualities in them, then HE would surely have made them listen to the Truth.

However, even if HE had made them listen, they would surely have turned away in aversion
and denial.

08:24
O The Faithful!
Respond to Allah and to the Messenger whenever he calls you to what will give you life
and enliven your soul.
And bear in mind that Allah intervenes between a person and the desires of his heart,
and that it is to HIM that you all are going to be gathered.
08:25
And beware of the calamity which will afflict not just the evil-doers among you but it may entrap you and others too,
and know that Allah is Severe in Punishment.

08:26
And remember the time when you – Muslims - were just a few helpless and oppressed in the land, and
you were constantly fearful that the disbelieving people might abduct you.
But, then, HE provided you a safe haven in Madeenah and strengthened you with HIS help
at Badr,
and also provided for you good things – the spoils - so that you may be grateful to HIM for HIS Grace.

08:27
O The Faithful!
Do not betray the trust of Allah and of HIS Messenger,
and do not betray the trusts entrusted to you while you know what doing so means.

08:28
And bear in mind that your worldly possessions and your children are means of a trial,
and that Allah – with HIM is surely your tremendous reward.

08:29
O The Faithful!
If you remain conscious of Allah’s Presence in reverence, awe and piety,
HE will make for you a distinction, and,
absolve you of your sinful trespasses, and
forgive you too.
For Allah is the Possessor of Abounding Benevolence.

08:30
And remember - O The Prophet - when those who disbelieved were plotting against you
either to confine you to prevent you from advocating The Message,
or to assassinate you,
or to expel you from Makkah so that you lose the audience.
Thus they were plotting as they always plotted -
but Allah was also planning against them.
And Allah is the Best Planner than those who plan against HIM.

08:31
And remember whenever OUR Messages were recited to them, they would say:
‘We have already heard all this many times before.

If we ever wished it, we could certainly compose writings like these.
This is nothing but tales of the ancient.’

08:32
And remember when they would also say:
‘O Allah!
If this Qur’an be indeed the Truth from YOU, then
rain down on us stones from the sky,
or inflict upon us some other grievous punishment.’

08:33
However, Allah would neither choose to punish them while you – O The Prophet - were
still among them,
nor Allah would punish them so long as they might still seek forgiveness and repent.

08:34
But what is it in them now that Allah not punish them when they are keeping people away from visiting The Sacred Grand Masjid though they are not even its rightful guardians?
Its guardians can only be those who are pious and devout.
Yet most of them do not understand this.

08:35
And their worship at The House of Allah has been no more than whistling and clapping of hands.
So taste/experience the punishment for your disbelief.

08:36
Indeed, those who disbelieve spend their wealth to keep people away from Allah’s Path.
And they are going to keep on spending it.
In the end, it will become a source of regret for them.
They will be overcome.
And those who disbelieve will be herded towards Hell.

08:37
So that Allah may distinguish the wicked from the pure,
and then dump the wicked ones over the other, and so pile them all together, and then dump them all into Hell.
It is they - they will truly be the losers.

08:38
Tell those who disbelieve that if they desist from disbelief, whatever is already past, they will be forgiven.
But if they persist in disbelief, they should then remember the fate of those who have gone before them.

08:39
O The Faithful!
Fight against them until there is no more religious persecution of Islam and Muslims, and the religion – all of it – is devoted to Allah.

But if they desist from persecution – surely Allah is Watchful of what they do.

08:40
But if they refuse and turn away, then bear in mind that Allah is your Protector:
HE is the Best Protector and the Best Helper!

08:41
And know that whatever spoils of war you may acquire, a fifth of it belongs to:
Allah and HIS Messenger, and
near relatives/families of the fallen combatants, and
the orphans, and
the poor, and
the needy travelers.
And four-fifth for those who fight the battle.
This must be observed if you sincerely believe in Allah, and in what WE revealed onto OUR Servant, Muhammad, on the Decisive Day - the day when the two forces met at Badr.
Battles of Islam are not fought for gaining spoils of war but for distinguish the Truth from the falsehood.
And Allah Manifests Sovereignty over all existence.

08:42
Remember that day when you were encamped at the near-end of valley of Badr, and
they – Makkan idol-worshipers were encamped at the farthest end of valley,
and the caravan below you was on the lowland by the coast.
And even if you had set a time to fight, you would certainly have failed in the appointment!
But the battle took place so that Allah may accomplish a matter already decided by HIM,
and that those who wanted to die should die in clear sight of the truth,
and those who wanted to live should live in clear sight of the truth.
And, indeed, Allah is All-Listening, All-Knowing.

08:43
Remember when Allah made you to see them – your enemies - in your dream only a few in number,
for if HE had made you to see them large in number - as they actually were - you would surely have lost courage and indeed argued about the wisdom of the matter.
But Allah saved some of you from being exposed.
Indeed, HE is All-Knowing of what is in the hearts.

08:44
And remember when - HE showed them to you – when you met – as few in your eyes,
and likewise, HE also made you appear fewer in their eyes.
It was so that Allah may accomplish a matter that had to take place had already been decided by HIM.
And to Allah, all matters are to be returned for judgment and awards.

08:45
O The Faithful!
Whenever you encounter enemy’s forces on the battlefield,

be firm, and
remember Allah a great deal to invoke HIS help for success and victory - so that you may prevail.

08:46
And obey Allah and HIS Messenger,
and do not dispute and quarrel with one another, lest you lose your resolve and your strength fails.
And persevere and remain steadfast!
Indeed, Allah is always with those who persevere in the service of HIS Cause.

08:47
And do not be like those who marched out of their homes, boastfully,
showing off before people.
Their goal was to keep others away from the Path of Allah.
But Allah encompasses whatever they do and will requite them for it.

08:48
And remember when Satan made their evil deeds appear appealing to them, saying:
‘There is no one among the people to defeat you today at Badr as I shall be by your side.’
Yet when the two combat forces appeared face to face, he turned on his heels and fled, saying:
‘I am free of you!
I see what you cannot see.
In fact, I fear Allah -
for Allah is Severe in punishment!’

08:49
Remember when the hypocrites and those who had disease of disbelief in their hearts were saying of The Faithful:
‘Their religion has deceived them’ with vain hopes -
as they have set out to fight a large army despite their small number in the mistaken belief
that they will be victorious because of Allah’s help.
Allah responded:
But whoever puts his trust in Allah – HE certainly helps him - for, indeed, Allah is Almighty
to grant victory, and All-Wise in HIS actions.

08:50
And if only you could see - as the angels of death take away the souls of those who have disbelieved -
striking their faces and their backs, saying:
‘Taste the punishment of Blazing Fire!’

08:51
‘This punishment is for what your own hands had sent forward of their deeds, dealings, and faith.
And know that Allah is never unfair to HIS servants’ - it is they who are unfair to themselves.

08:52
Their treatment has been like that of Pharaoh’s People,
and of those before them.
They denied and belied in the Miraculous Signs and Messages of Allah,
so Allah seized them for their sins and persistent sinful disobedience,
Indeed, Allah is All-Powerful, Severe in punishment.

08:53
That is because Allah would never change HIS Favor conferred upon a people until they change what is within themselves - their souls for the worst.
Allah is All-Listening, All-Knowing.

08:54
What happened to them was the same as the case of Pharaoh’s People,
and those before them.
They denied and belied the Messages of their Rabb - The Lord.
So WE destroyed them for their sins and persistent disobedience.
And WE drowned Pharaoh’s People.
They were all evil-doers, oppressors.

08:55
Indeed, the worst creatures in Allah’s Sight are those who disbelieved –
and they will not believe under any circumstances.

08:56
Especially those with whom you have made a treaty,
but they break their treaty every time,
and they do not fear Allah for their treachery ….

08:57
…. so whenever you meet them on the battlefield,
inflict on them such a defeat as would be a lesson for those coming after them -
so that they may be warned that treaties are not to be dishonored.

08:58
Honor your covenants but whenever you apprehend treachery from a people with whom you have a treaty,
then retaliate by canceling the treaty with them so you will at least be on equal terms.
Indeed, Allah has no love for the treacherous.

08:59
And do not let those who disbelieve think that they can escape Allah’s Wrath.
Surely they can never escape Allah’s Grip.

08:60
Hence keep yourselves prepared against them – the disbelievers – with whatever forces and trained horses you can,
so that you can scare the Enemy of Allah and your enemy,
and also others besides them -

whom you may not know them but Allah knows them.
Whatever you spend in the Cause of Allah will be paid back to you in full, and no injustice
will be done to you by discounting your reward.

08:61
But if they incline to peace, then you also incline to it and make peace with them.
And trust in Allah.
Surely HE is All-Listening, All-Knowing.

08:62
And if you detect that they are trying to deceive you through false peace-talks,
then be calm for surely Allah is Sufficient for you against them.
It is HE WHO strengthened your hand with HIS Help, and with the believers …..

08:63
and HE embedded mutual affinity in their hearts.
You could have never embedded mutual affinity in their hearts even if you had spent
whatever wealth is on the earth;
but Allah created affinity among them which made them.
Indeed, HE is Almighty, All-Wise.

08:64
O The Prophet!
Allah is Sufficient for you and for the believers who follow you.

08:65
O The Prophet!
Inspire the believers to fight for the Cause of Allah.
If there are twenty of you with determination they will overwhelm two hundred
disbelievers.
And, if there are a hundred of you, then they will overwhelm a thousand disbelievers,
for they are a people devoid of understanding and cannot match the strength of your faith.

08:66
Allah has now lightened your burden as HE Knows there is weakness in you.
So if there be a hundred of you with firm determination they will overwhelm two hundred
disbelievers.
And, if there are a thousand of you they will overwhelm two thousand disbelievers by the Will of Allah -
and Allah would always be with those who are determined and steadfast in hard times.

08:67
The disbelievers allege that you have battled to take captives and get a ransom.
No!
The fact is that it is not appropriate for any Prophet to start taking captives – prisoners of war and free them with ransom - so much so that he causes bloodshed in the land for this purpose.

While it is you who desire the benefits of this world by ransoming, but Allah Wills for you the reward of the Hereafter.
And Allah is Almighty, All-Wise.

08:68
If it was not for a decree that you are to be given some respite that had already come from Allah,
an awful punishment would have seized you for what you did.

08:69
But now you may use such of the spoils of war as are lawful and good.
And remain mindful of Allah in apportioning the shares.
Indeed, Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Ever-Kind.

08:70
Hence O The Prophet!
Tell the captives in your hands:
‘If Allah finds some goodness in your hearts,
then HE will reward you with something better than what has been taken away from you -
freedom,
and HE will forgive you your past sins too.
Surely Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Ever-Kind, especially towards those who return to HIM in repentance.

08:71
If they - the captives - try to betray you, remember they have already betrayed Allah before
through disbelief and hypocrisy.
That is why HE gave you power over them at Badr,
Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

08:72
Indeed, those who believed and emigrated,
and fought for the Cause of Allah with their possessions and their lives,
as well as those who have given them asylum and support,
those - they are best friends of one another.
But those who believed, but did not emigrate - their protection is not on you until they emigrate.
Yet if they seek your help concerning the religion - against religious persecution,
then their help is an obligation on you, except against a people with whom you have a
peace treaty.
And Allah is always Watchful of whatever you do.

08:73
And those who disbelieve are allies of one another.
Therefore, unless you do the same, there will be religious oppression in the land and great turmoil - with disbelief gaining power and Islam becoming weak.

08:74
But those who have believed and emigrated/relocated,
and struggled in the Cause of Allah,

and those who gave them asylum and helped, those - they are the true believers.
For them will be forgiveness and a generous provision in Paradise.

08:75
As for those who believed later on, and emigrated,
and struggled in the Cause of Allah by your side, they too belong to you - your brethren in Faith.
Yet blood relatives are closer to one another in the Book of Allah.
Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing of everything.