8. Al-Anfaal

There are seventy-five Ayat in this Surah. The word count of this Surah is one thousand, six hundred and thirty-one words and its letters number five thousand, two hundred and ninety-four.

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

In the Name of Allah the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

يَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الْأَنفَالِ قُلِ الْأَنفَالُ لِلَّهِ وَالرَّسُولِ فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَأَصْلِحُوا ذَاتَ بَيْنِكُمْ وَأَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ

(1. They ask you about Al-Anfal (the spoils of war). Say: "Al-Anfal are for Allah and the Messenger." So have Taqwa of Allah and settle all matters of difference among you, and obey Allah and His Messenger, if you are believers.)

Meaning of Anfal

Al-Bukhari recorded that Ibn 'Abbas said, "Al-Anfal are the spoils of war." Al-Bukhari also recorded that Sa'id bin Jubayr said, "I said to Ibn 'Abbas, 'Surat Al-Anfal?' He said, 'It was revealed concerning (the battle of) Badr.'" 'Ali bin Abi Talhah reported, as Al-Bukhari recorded from Ibn 'Abbas without a chain of narration, that Ibn 'Abbas said, "Al-Anfal are the spoils of war; they were for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, and none had a share in them." Similar was said by Mujahid, 'Ikrimah, 'Ata', Ad-Dahhak, Qatadah, 'Ata' Al-Khurasani, Muqatil bin Hayyan, 'Abdur-Rahman bin Zayd bin Aslam and several others. It was also said that the Nafl (singular for Anfal) refers to the portion of the spoils of war that the commander gives to some of the fighters after dividing the bulk of the spoils. It was also said that Anfal refers to the Khumus; one-fifth of the captured goods after four-fifths are divided [between the fighters]. It was also said that the Anfal refers to the Fay', the possessions taken from the disbelievers without fighting, and the animals, servants or whatever other possessions escape from the disbelievers to Muslims.

Ibn Jarir recorded that 'Ali bin Salih bin Hay said: "It has reached me that,

يَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الْأَنفَالِ

(They ask you about Al-Anfal) is about the divisions. This refer to what the Imam gives to some squads in addition to what is divided among the rest of the soldiers."

The Reason behind revealing Ayah 8:1

Imam Ahmad recorded that Sa'd bin Malik said, "I said, 'O Allah's Messenger, Allah has brought comfort to me today over the idolators, so grant me this sword.' He said,

إِنَّ هَذَا السَّيْفَ لَا لَكَ وَلَا لِي، ضَعْهُ

(This sword is neither yours nor mine; put it down.)

So I put it down, but said to myself, 'The Prophet might give this sword to another man who did not fight as fiercely as I did.' I heard a man calling me from behind and I said, 'Has Allah revealed something in my case?' The Prophet ﷺ said,

كُنْتَ سَأَلْتَنِي السَّيْفَ وَلَيْسَ هُوَ لِي، وَإِنَّهُ قَدْ وُهِبَ لِي، فَهُو لَكَ

(You asked me to give you the sword, but it is not for me to decide about. However, it has been granted to me (by Allah), and I give it to you.) So Allah sent down this Ayah,

يَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الْأَنفَالِ قُلِ الْأَنفَالُ لِلَّهِ وَالرَّسُولِ

(They ask you about Al-Anfal. Say: "Al-Anfal are for Allah and the Messenger").

Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhi and An-Nasa'i collected this Hadith, At-Tirmidhi said, "Hasan Sahih". …

The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts and when His Ayat are recited unto them, they increase their faith; and they put their trust in their Lord (2)Who perform the Salah and spend out of what We have provided them (3)It is they who are the believers in truth. For them are grades of dignity with their Lord, and forgiveness and a generous provision (Paradise)(4)

Qualities of the Faithful and Truthful Believers

Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn 'Abbas said about the Ayah,

إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ اللَّهُ وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ

(The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts)

"None of Allah's remembrance enters the hearts of the hypocrites upon performing what He has ordained. They neither believe in any of Allah's Ayat nor trust (in Allah) nor pray if they are alone nor pay the Zakah due on their wealth. Allah stated that they are not believers. He then described the believers by saying,

إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ اللَّهُ وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ

(The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts) and they perform what He has ordained,

وَإِذَا تُلِيَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتُهُ زَادَتْهُمْ إِيمَانًا

(and when His Ayat are recited unto them, they increase their faith) and conviction,

وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ

(and they put their trust in their Lord), having hope in none except Him. " Mujahid commented on,

وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ

(their hearts Wajilat), "Their hearts become afraid and fearful." Similar was said by As-Suddi and several others. The quality of a true believer is that when Allah is mentioned, he feels a fear in his heart, and thus implements His orders and abstains from His prohibitions. Allah said in a similar Ayah,

وَالَّذِينَ إِذَا فَعَلُوا فَاحِشَةً أَوْ ظَلَمُوا أَنفُسَهُمْ ذَكَرُوا اللَّهَ فَاسْتَغْفَرُوا لِذُنُوبِهِمْ وَمَن يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَلَمْ يُصِرُّوا عَلَىٰ مَا فَعَلُوا وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ

(And those who, when they have committed Fahishah (immoral sin) or wronged themselves with evil, remember Allah and ask forgiveness for their sins; – and none can forgive sins but Allah – and do not persist in what (wrong) they have done, while they know)[3:135], and,

وَأَمَّا مَنْ خَافَ مَقَامَ رَبِّهِ وَنَهَى النَّفْسَ عَنِ الْهَوَىٰ - فَإِنَّ الْجَنَّةَ هِيَ الْمَأْوَىٰ

(But as for him who feared standing before his Lord, and restrained himself from vain desires. Verily, Paradise will be his abode.)[79:40-41]

Sufyan Ath-Thawri narrated that As-Suddi commented,

إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ اللَّهُ وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ

(The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts)

"A man might be thinking of committing injustice or a sin. But he abstains when he is told, 'Have Taqwa of Allah', and his heart becomes fearful.'"

Faith Increases When the Qur'an is Recited

Allah's statement,

وَإِذَا تُلِيَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتُهُ زَادَتْهُمْ إِيمَانًا

(And when His Ayat are recited unto them, they increase their faith;) is similar to His statement,

وَإِذَا مَا أُنزِلَتْ سُورَةٌ فَمِنْهُم مَّن …

The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts and when His Ayat are recited unto them, they increase their faith; and they put their trust in their Lord (2)Who perform the Salah and spend out of what We have provided them (3)It is they who are the believers in truth. For them are grades of dignity with their Lord, and forgiveness and a generous provision (Paradise)(4)

Qualities of the Faithful and Truthful Believers

Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn 'Abbas said about the Ayah,

إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ اللَّهُ وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ

(The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts)

"None of Allah's remembrance enters the hearts of the hypocrites upon performing what He has ordained. They neither believe in any of Allah's Ayat nor trust (in Allah) nor pray if they are alone nor pay the Zakah due on their wealth. Allah stated that they are not believers. He then described the believers by saying,

إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ اللَّهُ وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ

(The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts) and they perform what He has ordained,

وَإِذَا تُلِيَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتُهُ زَادَتْهُمْ إِيمَانًا

(and when His Ayat are recited unto them, they increase their faith) and conviction,

وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ

(and they put their trust in their Lord), having hope in none except Him. " Mujahid commented on,

وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ

(their hearts Wajilat), "Their hearts become afraid and fearful." Similar was said by As-Suddi and several others. The quality of a true believer is that when Allah is mentioned, he feels a fear in his heart, and thus implements His orders and abstains from His prohibitions. Allah said in a similar Ayah,

وَالَّذِينَ إِذَا فَعَلُوا فَاحِشَةً أَوْ ظَلَمُوا أَنفُسَهُمْ ذَكَرُوا اللَّهَ فَاسْتَغْفَرُوا لِذُنُوبِهِمْ وَمَن يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَلَمْ يُصِرُّوا عَلَىٰ مَا فَعَلُوا وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ

(And those who, when they have committed Fahishah (immoral sin) or wronged themselves with evil, remember Allah and ask forgiveness for their sins; – and none can forgive sins but Allah – and do not persist in what (wrong) they have done, while they know)[3:135], and,

وَأَمَّا مَنْ خَافَ مَقَامَ رَبِّهِ وَنَهَى النَّفْسَ عَنِ الْهَوَىٰ - فَإِنَّ الْجَنَّةَ هِيَ الْمَأْوَىٰ

(But as for him who feared standing before his Lord, and restrained himself from vain desires. Verily, Paradise will be his abode.)[79:40-41]

Sufyan Ath-Thawri narrated that As-Suddi commented,

إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ اللَّهُ وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ

(The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts)

"A man might be thinking of committing injustice or a sin. But he abstains when he is told, 'Have Taqwa of Allah', and his heart becomes fearful.'"

Faith Increases When the Qur'an is Recited

Allah's statement,

وَإِذَا تُلِيَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتُهُ زَادَتْهُمْ إِيمَانًا

(And when His Ayat are recited unto them, they increase their faith;) is similar to His statement,

وَإِذَا مَا أُنزِلَتْ سُورَةٌ فَمِنْهُم مَّن …

The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts and when His Ayat are recited unto them, they increase their faith; and they put their trust in their Lord (2)Who perform the Salah and spend out of what We have provided them (3)It is they who are the believers in truth. For them are grades of dignity with their Lord, and forgiveness and a generous provision (Paradise)(4)

Qualities of the Faithful and Truthful Believers

Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn 'Abbas said about the Ayah,

إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ اللَّهُ وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ

(The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts)

"None of Allah's remembrance enters the hearts of the hypocrites upon performing what He has ordained. They neither believe in any of Allah's Ayat nor trust (in Allah) nor pray if they are alone nor pay the Zakah due on their wealth. Allah stated that they are not believers. He then described the believers by saying,

إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ اللَّهُ وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ

(The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts) and they perform what He has ordained,

وَإِذَا تُلِيَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتُهُ زَادَتْهُمْ إِيمَانًا

(and when His Ayat are recited unto them, they increase their faith) and conviction,

وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ

(and they put their trust in their Lord), having hope in none except Him. " Mujahid commented on,

وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ

(their hearts Wajilat), "Their hearts become afraid and fearful." Similar was said by As-Suddi and several others. The quality of a true believer is that when Allah is mentioned, he feels a fear in his heart, and thus implements His orders and abstains from His prohibitions. Allah said in a similar Ayah,

وَالَّذِينَ إِذَا فَعَلُوا فَاحِشَةً أَوْ ظَلَمُوا أَنفُسَهُمْ ذَكَرُوا اللَّهَ فَاسْتَغْفَرُوا لِذُنُوبِهِمْ وَمَن يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَلَمْ يُصِرُّوا عَلَىٰ مَا فَعَلُوا وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ

(And those who, when they have committed Fahishah (immoral sin) or wronged themselves with evil, remember Allah and ask forgiveness for their sins; – and none can forgive sins but Allah – and do not persist in what (wrong) they have done, while they know)[3:135], and,

وَأَمَّا مَنْ خَافَ مَقَامَ رَبِّهِ وَنَهَى النَّفْسَ عَنِ الْهَوَىٰ - فَإِنَّ الْجَنَّةَ هِيَ الْمَأْوَىٰ

(But as for him who feared standing before his Lord, and restrained himself from vain desires. Verily, Paradise will be his abode.)[79:40-41]

Sufyan Ath-Thawri narrated that As-Suddi commented,

إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ اللَّهُ وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ

(The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts)

"A man might be thinking of committing injustice or a sin. But he abstains when he is told, 'Have Taqwa of Allah', and his heart becomes fearful.'"

Faith Increases When the Qur'an is Recited

Allah's statement,

وَإِذَا تُلِيَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتُهُ زَادَتْهُمْ إِيمَانًا

(And when His Ayat are recited unto them, they increase their faith;) is similar to His statement,

وَإِذَا مَا أُنزِلَتْ سُورَةٌ فَمِنْهُم مَّن …

As your Lord caused you to go out from your home with the truth; and verily, a party among the believers disliked it (5)Disputing with you concerning the truth after it was made manifest, as if they were being driven to death, while they were looking (at it)(6)And (remember) when Allah promised you (Muslims) one of the two parties, that it should be yours; you wished that the one not armed should be yours, but Allah willed to justify the truth by His Words and to cut off the roots of the disbelievers (7)That He might cause the truth to triumph and bring falsehood to nothing, even though the criminals hate it (8)

Following the Messenger (ﷺ) is Better for the Believers

Allah said,

كَمَا أَخْرَجَكَ رَبُّكَ

(As your Lord caused you to go out...) After Allah described the believers as fearing their Lord, resolving matters of dispute between themselves and obeying Allah and His Messenger ﷺ, He then said here, "since you disputed about dividing war spoils and differed with each other about them, Allah took them away from you. He and His Messenger then divided them in truth and justice, thus ensuring continued benefit for all of you. Similarly, you disliked meeting the armed enemy in battle, who marched in support of their religion and to protect their caravan. You disliked fighting, so Allah decided that battle should occur and made you meet your enemy, without planning to do so on your part.' This incident carried guidance, light, victory and triumph. Allah said;

كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الْقِتَالُ وَهُوَ كُرْهٌ لَّكُمْ وَعَسَىٰ أَن تَكْرَهُوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ وَعَسَىٰ أَن تُحِبُّوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ شَرٌّ لَّكُمْ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ

(Jihad is ordained for you though you dislike it, and it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you, and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows but you do not know.)[2:216]

As-Suddi commented,

وَإِنَّ فَرِيقًا مِّنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ لَكَارِهُونَ

(And verily, a party among the believers disliked) to meet [the armed] idolators. "

يُجَادِلُونَكَ فِي الْحَقِّ بَعْدَ مَا تَبَيَّنَ

(Disputing with you concerning the truth after it was made manifest,)

Some have commented, "(Allah says:) they ask and argue with you about Al-Anfal just as they argued with you when you went out for the battle of Badr, saying, 'You marched with us to confiscate the caravan. You did not inform us that there will be fighting and that we should prepare for it.'"

وَيُرِيدُ اللَّهُ أَن يُحِقَّ الْحَقَّ بِكَلِمَاتِهِ

(but Allah willed to justify the truth by His Words)

Allah says, 'He willed for you to meet the armed enemy [rather than the caravan] so that He makes you prevail above them and gain victory over them, making His religion apparent and Islam victorious and dominant above all religions. He has perfect knowledge of the consequences of all things, you are surrounded by His wise planning, although people only like what appears favorable to them,'

كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الْقِتَالُ وَهُوَ كُرْهٌ لَّكُمْ وَعَسَىٰ أَن تَكْرَهُوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ وَعَسَىٰ أَن تُحِبُّوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ شَرٌّ لَّكُمْ

(Jihad (fighting in Allah's cause) is ordained for you (Muslims) though …

As your Lord caused you to go out from your home with the truth; and verily, a party among the believers disliked it (5)Disputing with you concerning the truth after it was made manifest, as if they were being driven to death, while they were looking (at it)(6)And (remember) when Allah promised you (Muslims) one of the two parties, that it should be yours; you wished that the one not armed should be yours, but Allah willed to justify the truth by His Words and to cut off the roots of the disbelievers (7)That He might cause the truth to triumph and bring falsehood to nothing, even though the criminals hate it (8)

Following the Messenger (ﷺ) is Better for the Believers

Allah said,

كَمَا أَخْرَجَكَ رَبُّكَ

(As your Lord caused you to go out...) After Allah described the believers as fearing their Lord, resolving matters of dispute between themselves and obeying Allah and His Messenger ﷺ, He then said here, "since you disputed about dividing war spoils and differed with each other about them, Allah took them away from you. He and His Messenger then divided them in truth and justice, thus ensuring continued benefit for all of you. Similarly, you disliked meeting the armed enemy in battle, who marched in support of their religion and to protect their caravan. You disliked fighting, so Allah decided that battle should occur and made you meet your enemy, without planning to do so on your part.' This incident carried guidance, light, victory and triumph. Allah said;

كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الْقِتَالُ وَهُوَ كُرْهٌ لَّكُمْ وَعَسَىٰ أَن تَكْرَهُوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ وَعَسَىٰ أَن تُحِبُّوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ شَرٌّ لَّكُمْ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ

(Jihad is ordained for you though you dislike it, and it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you, and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows but you do not know.)[2:216]

As-Suddi commented,

وَإِنَّ فَرِيقًا مِّنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ لَكَارِهُونَ

(And verily, a party among the believers disliked) to meet [the armed] idolators. "

يُجَادِلُونَكَ فِي الْحَقِّ بَعْدَ مَا تَبَيَّنَ

(Disputing with you concerning the truth after it was made manifest,)

Some have commented, "(Allah says:) they ask and argue with you about Al-Anfal just as they argued with you when you went out for the battle of Badr, saying, 'You marched with us to confiscate the caravan. You did not inform us that there will be fighting and that we should prepare for it.'"

وَيُرِيدُ اللَّهُ أَن يُحِقَّ الْحَقَّ بِكَلِمَاتِهِ

(but Allah willed to justify the truth by His Words)

Allah says, 'He willed for you to meet the armed enemy [rather than the caravan] so that He makes you prevail above them and gain victory over them, making His religion apparent and Islam victorious and dominant above all religions. He has perfect knowledge of the consequences of all things, you are surrounded by His wise planning, although people only like what appears favorable to them,'

كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الْقِتَالُ وَهُوَ كُرْهٌ لَّكُمْ وَعَسَىٰ أَن تَكْرَهُوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ وَعَسَىٰ أَن تُحِبُّوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ شَرٌّ لَّكُمْ

(Jihad (fighting in Allah's cause) is ordained for you (Muslims) though …

As your Lord caused you to go out from your home with the truth; and verily, a party among the believers disliked it (5)Disputing with you concerning the truth after it was made manifest, as if they were being driven to death, while they were looking (at it)(6)And (remember) when Allah promised you (Muslims) one of the two parties, that it should be yours; you wished that the one not armed should be yours, but Allah willed to justify the truth by His Words and to cut off the roots of the disbelievers (7)That He might cause the truth to triumph and bring falsehood to nothing, even though the criminals hate it (8)

Following the Messenger (ﷺ) is Better for the Believers

Allah said,

كَمَا أَخْرَجَكَ رَبُّكَ

(As your Lord caused you to go out...) After Allah described the believers as fearing their Lord, resolving matters of dispute between themselves and obeying Allah and His Messenger ﷺ, He then said here, "since you disputed about dividing war spoils and differed with each other about them, Allah took them away from you. He and His Messenger then divided them in truth and justice, thus ensuring continued benefit for all of you. Similarly, you disliked meeting the armed enemy in battle, who marched in support of their religion and to protect their caravan. You disliked fighting, so Allah decided that battle should occur and made you meet your enemy, without planning to do so on your part.' This incident carried guidance, light, victory and triumph. Allah said;

كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الْقِتَالُ وَهُوَ كُرْهٌ لَّكُمْ وَعَسَىٰ أَن تَكْرَهُوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ وَعَسَىٰ أَن تُحِبُّوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ شَرٌّ لَّكُمْ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ

(Jihad is ordained for you though you dislike it, and it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you, and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows but you do not know.)[2:216]

As-Suddi commented,

وَإِنَّ فَرِيقًا مِّنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ لَكَارِهُونَ

(And verily, a party among the believers disliked) to meet [the armed] idolators. "

يُجَادِلُونَكَ فِي الْحَقِّ بَعْدَ مَا تَبَيَّنَ

(Disputing with you concerning the truth after it was made manifest,)

Some have commented, "(Allah says:) they ask and argue with you about Al-Anfal just as they argued with you when you went out for the battle of Badr, saying, 'You marched with us to confiscate the caravan. You did not inform us that there will be fighting and that we should prepare for it.'"

وَيُرِيدُ اللَّهُ أَن يُحِقَّ الْحَقَّ بِكَلِمَاتِهِ

(but Allah willed to justify the truth by His Words)

Allah says, 'He willed for you to meet the armed enemy [rather than the caravan] so that He makes you prevail above them and gain victory over them, making His religion apparent and Islam victorious and dominant above all religions. He has perfect knowledge of the consequences of all things, you are surrounded by His wise planning, although people only like what appears favorable to them,'

كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الْقِتَالُ وَهُوَ كُرْهٌ لَّكُمْ وَعَسَىٰ أَن تَكْرَهُوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ وَعَسَىٰ أَن تُحِبُّوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ شَرٌّ لَّكُمْ

(Jihad (fighting in Allah's cause) is ordained for you (Muslims) though …

As your Lord caused you to go out from your home with the truth; and verily, a party among the believers disliked it (5)Disputing with you concerning the truth after it was made manifest, as if they were being driven to death, while they were looking (at it)(6)And (remember) when Allah promised you (Muslims) one of the two parties, that it should be yours; you wished that the one not armed should be yours, but Allah willed to justify the truth by His Words and to cut off the roots of the disbelievers (7)That He might cause the truth to triumph and bring falsehood to nothing, even though the criminals hate it (8)

Following the Messenger (ﷺ) is Better for the Believers

Allah said,

كَمَا أَخْرَجَكَ رَبُّكَ

(As your Lord caused you to go out...) After Allah described the believers as fearing their Lord, resolving matters of dispute between themselves and obeying Allah and His Messenger ﷺ, He then said here, "since you disputed about dividing war spoils and differed with each other about them, Allah took them away from you. He and His Messenger then divided them in truth and justice, thus ensuring continued benefit for all of you. Similarly, you disliked meeting the armed enemy in battle, who marched in support of their religion and to protect their caravan. You disliked fighting, so Allah decided that battle should occur and made you meet your enemy, without planning to do so on your part.' This incident carried guidance, light, victory and triumph. Allah said;

كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الْقِتَالُ وَهُوَ كُرْهٌ لَّكُمْ وَعَسَىٰ أَن تَكْرَهُوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ وَعَسَىٰ أَن تُحِبُّوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ شَرٌّ لَّكُمْ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ

(Jihad is ordained for you though you dislike it, and it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you, and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows but you do not know.)[2:216]

As-Suddi commented,

وَإِنَّ فَرِيقًا مِّنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ لَكَارِهُونَ

(And verily, a party among the believers disliked) to meet [the armed] idolators. "

يُجَادِلُونَكَ فِي الْحَقِّ بَعْدَ مَا تَبَيَّنَ

(Disputing with you concerning the truth after it was made manifest,)

Some have commented, "(Allah says:) they ask and argue with you about Al-Anfal just as they argued with you when you went out for the battle of Badr, saying, 'You marched with us to confiscate the caravan. You did not inform us that there will be fighting and that we should prepare for it.'"

وَيُرِيدُ اللَّهُ أَن يُحِقَّ الْحَقَّ بِكَلِمَاتِهِ

(but Allah willed to justify the truth by His Words)

Allah says, 'He willed for you to meet the armed enemy [rather than the caravan] so that He makes you prevail above them and gain victory over them, making His religion apparent and Islam victorious and dominant above all religions. He has perfect knowledge of the consequences of all things, you are surrounded by His wise planning, although people only like what appears favorable to them,'

كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الْقِتَالُ وَهُوَ كُرْهٌ لَّكُمْ وَعَسَىٰ أَن تَكْرَهُوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ وَعَسَىٰ أَن تُحِبُّوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ شَرٌّ لَّكُمْ

(Jihad (fighting in Allah's cause) is ordained for you (Muslims) though …

(Remember) when you sought help of your Lord and He answered you (saying): "I will help you with a thousand of the angels Murdifin. (9)Allah made it only as glad tidings, and that your hearts be at rest therewith. And there is no victory except from Allah. Verily, Allah is Almighty, All-Wise (10)

Muslims invoke Allah for Help, Allah sends the Angels to help Them

Al-Bukhari wrote in the book of battles (in his Sahih) under "Chapter; Allah's statement,

إِذْ تَسْتَغِيثُونَ رَبَّكُمْ فَاسْتَجَابَ لَكُمْ

((Remember) when you sought help of your Lord and He answered you) until,

فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ

(then verily, Allah is severe in punishment)" that Ibn Mas'ud said, "I was a witness to something that Al-Miqdad bin Al-Aswad did, that I would like more than almost anything else to have been the one who did it. Al-Miqdad came to the Prophet ﷺ while he was invoking Allah against the idolators and proclaimed, 'We will not say as the people of Musa said, "So go you and your Lord and fight you two."

Rather, we will fight to your right, to your left, before you and behind you.' I saw the Prophet's ﷺ face beaming with pleasure because of what Al-Miqdad said to him." Al-Bukhari next narrated from Ibn 'Abbas that on the day of Badr, the Prophet ﷺ said,

اللَّهُمَّ! أَنْشُدُكَ عَهْدَكَ وَوَعْدَكَ، اللَّهُمَّ! إِنْ شِئْتَ لَمْ تُعْبَد

(O Allah! I invoke You for Your covenant and promise (victory). O Allah! If You decide so (cause our defeat), You will not be worshipped.)

Abu Bakr held the Prophet's hand and said, "Enough." The Prophet ﷺ went out proclaiming,

سَيُهْزَمُ الْجَمْعُ وَيُوَلُّونَ الدُّبُرَ

(Their multitude will be put to flight, and they will show their backs.)

An-Nasa'i also collected this Hadith. Allah's statement,

بِأَلْفٍ مِّنَ الْمَلَائِكَةِ مُرْدِفِينَ

(with a thousand of the angels Murdifin) means, they follow each other in succession, according to Harun bin Hubayrah who narrated this from Ibn 'Abbas about,

مُرْدِفِينَ

(Murdifin), meaning each behind the other in succession. 'Ali bin Abi Talhah Al-Walibi reported that Ibn 'Abbas said, "Allah supported His Prophet ﷺ and the believers with a thousand angels, five hundred under the leadership of Jibril on one side and five hundred under the leadership of Mika'il on another side." Imams Abu Ja'far bin Jarir At-Tabari and Muslim recorded that Ibn 'Abbas said that 'Umar said, "While a Muslim man was pursuing an idolator (during the battle of Badr), he heard the sound of a whip above him and a rider saying, 'Come, O Hayzum!' Then he looked at the idolator, who fell to the ground. When he investigated, he found that the idolator's nose had wound and his face torn apart, just as if he received a strike from a whip on it, and the entire face had turned green. The Ansari man came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and told him what had happened and the Messenger ﷺ replied,

صَدَقْتَ، ذَلِكَ مِنْ مَدَدِ السَّمَاءِ الثَّالِثَةِ

(You have said the truth, that was from the reinforcements from the third heaven.)

The Muslims killed seventy (pagans) in that battle and captured another seventy.

Al-Bukhari also wrote a chapter in his Sahih about the participation of the angels in Badr. …

(Remember) when you sought help of your Lord and He answered you (saying): "I will help you with a thousand of the angels Murdifin. (9)Allah made it only as glad tidings, and that your hearts be at rest therewith. And there is no victory except from Allah. Verily, Allah is Almighty, All-Wise (10)

Muslims invoke Allah for Help, Allah sends the Angels to help Them

Al-Bukhari wrote in the book of battles (in his Sahih) under "Chapter; Allah's statement,

إِذْ تَسْتَغِيثُونَ رَبَّكُمْ فَاسْتَجَابَ لَكُمْ

((Remember) when you sought help of your Lord and He answered you) until,

فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ

(then verily, Allah is severe in punishment)" that Ibn Mas'ud said, "I was a witness to something that Al-Miqdad bin Al-Aswad did, that I would like more than almost anything else to have been the one who did it. Al-Miqdad came to the Prophet ﷺ while he was invoking Allah against the idolators and proclaimed, 'We will not say as the people of Musa said, "So go you and your Lord and fight you two."

Rather, we will fight to your right, to your left, before you and behind you.' I saw the Prophet's ﷺ face beaming with pleasure because of what Al-Miqdad said to him." Al-Bukhari next narrated from Ibn 'Abbas that on the day of Badr, the Prophet ﷺ said,

اللَّهُمَّ! أَنْشُدُكَ عَهْدَكَ وَوَعْدَكَ، اللَّهُمَّ! إِنْ شِئْتَ لَمْ تُعْبَد

(O Allah! I invoke You for Your covenant and promise (victory). O Allah! If You decide so (cause our defeat), You will not be worshipped.)

Abu Bakr held the Prophet's hand and said, "Enough." The Prophet ﷺ went out proclaiming,

سَيُهْزَمُ الْجَمْعُ وَيُوَلُّونَ الدُّبُرَ

(Their multitude will be put to flight, and they will show their backs.)

An-Nasa'i also collected this Hadith. Allah's statement,

بِأَلْفٍ مِّنَ الْمَلَائِكَةِ مُرْدِفِينَ

(with a thousand of the angels Murdifin) means, they follow each other in succession, according to Harun bin Hubayrah who narrated this from Ibn 'Abbas about,

مُرْدِفِينَ

(Murdifin), meaning each behind the other in succession. 'Ali bin Abi Talhah Al-Walibi reported that Ibn 'Abbas said, "Allah supported His Prophet ﷺ and the believers with a thousand angels, five hundred under the leadership of Jibril on one side and five hundred under the leadership of Mika'il on another side." Imams Abu Ja'far bin Jarir At-Tabari and Muslim recorded that Ibn 'Abbas said that 'Umar said, "While a Muslim man was pursuing an idolator (during the battle of Badr), he heard the sound of a whip above him and a rider saying, 'Come, O Hayzum!' Then he looked at the idolator, who fell to the ground. When he investigated, he found that the idolator's nose had wound and his face torn apart, just as if he received a strike from a whip on it, and the entire face had turned green. The Ansari man came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and told him what had happened and the Messenger ﷺ replied,

صَدَقْتَ، ذَلِكَ مِنْ مَدَدِ السَّمَاءِ الثَّالِثَةِ

(You have said the truth, that was from the reinforcements from the third heaven.)

The Muslims killed seventy (pagans) in that battle and captured another seventy.

Al-Bukhari also wrote a chapter in his Sahih about the participation of the angels in Badr. …