8. Al-Anfaal

And from his narration on the authority of Ibn 'Abbas who said concerning the saying of Allah, Exalted is He, ((They ask thee (O Muhammad) of the spoils of war): 'He says: your Companions ask you about the spoils of war on the Day of Badr and also about the officers for weapons and horses. (Say) O Muhammad: (The spoils of war belong to Allah and the messenger) the spoils of war at Badr belong to Allah and His Messenger, and none of it is yours; it is also said: they all belong to Allah and the command of the Messenger regarding what is allowed, (so keep your duty to Allah) fear Allah concerning taking the spoils of war, (and adjust the matter of your difference) solve the differences among you: let the rich give to the poor and the strong to the weak and the young to the elderly, (and obey Allah and His messenger) in the matter of reconciliation, (if ye are (true) believers) in Allah and His Messenger.

(They only are the (true) believers whose hearts feel fear when Allah is mentioned) when they are enjoined with a command from Allah, such as in the matter of reconciliation and other things, (and when the revelations of Allah) concerning reconciliation (are recited unto them they increase their faith) increase their certitude in Allah's saying; it is also said that this means: they increase their truthfulness; it is also said that this means: it increases their refinement, (and who trust in their Lord) and not in the spoils of war;

(Who establish worship) perform the five daily prayers in full, with their ritual ablution, bowing, prostrations as well as that which is due in their respective time (and spend) they give in charity for the sake of obedience to Allah and also give the poor-due (of that We have bestowed on them) of that which We have given them of wealth.

(Those are they who are in truth believers) they are truly and certainly believers. (For them are grades (of honour)) ranks of merit (with their Lord) in the Hereafter, (and pardon) for the sins they committed in the life of this world, (and a bountiful provision) a fair reward in Paradise.

(Even as thy Lord caused thee to go forth) proceed, O Muhammad, in that which your Lord has caused you to go forth (from thy home) from Medina (with the Truth) with the Qur'an; it is also said that this means: with war, (and lo! a party) a group (of the believers were averse (to it)) to fighting,

(Disputing with thee of) arguing with you about (the Truth) the war (after it had been made manifest) that you do not act upon or command anything except that with which your Lord has commanded you, (as if they were being driven to death visible) driven to death while looking straight at it.

(And when Allah promised you one of the two bands (of the enemy)) one of two things: the caravan or the belongings of the army (that it should be yours) as spoils of war, (and you longed) you wished (that other than the armed one) hardship and war (might be yours) as spoils of war, i.e. the booty of camels. (And Allah willed that He should cause the Truth to triumph by His words) He willed to manifest His religion by means of His assistance and strengthening, (and cut the root of the disbelievers) the root and traces of the disbelievers;

(When ye sought help of) when you called upon (your Lord) to assist you on the Day of Badr (and He answered you (saying): I will help you with a thousand of the angels, rank on rank) coming one after another to help you.

(Allah appointed it) i.e. His succour (only as good tidings) of your victory, (and that your hearts thereby might be at rest) because of this help. (Victory) by means of the angels (cometh only by the help of Allah. Lo! Allah is Mighty) towards His enemies in His retribution, (Wise) He decreed that they be defeated and killed and that you triumph and gain the spoils of war.