8. Al-Anfaal

(And know) O believers (that whatever) of wealth (you take as spoils of war, lo! a fifth thereof is for Allah) a fifth of the spoils of war is given in the way of Allah, (and for the messenger) and for the use of the Messenger (and for the kinsmen) and for the kinsmen of the Prophet (pbuh) (and orphans) who are other than the orphans of the Banu 'Abd al-Muttalib (and the needy) other than those of the Banu 'Abd al-Muttalib (and the wayfarer) and for the weak who is in need of help, whoever he may be. This fifth used to be divided at the time of the Prophet (pbuh) into five shares: one share for the Prophet (pbuh) which was the share given for the sake of Allah (Allah's share); a share for the Prophet's kinsmen, because the Prophet (pbuh) used to give to his kinsmen on behalf of Allah; a share for the orphans; a share for the needy; and a share for the wayfarer. When the Prophet (pbuh) died, the share of the Prophet (pbuh) and that of his kinsmen were cancelled due to the saying of Abu Bakr: �I heard Allah's Messenger (pbuh) say: each prophet has, while still alive, an assigned means of subsistence, and when he dies, it is cancelled and belongs to no one�. Abu Bakr, 'Umar, 'Uthman and 'Ali in their respective reigns divided the fifth into three shares: a share for the orphans, other than the orphans of Banu 'Abd al-Muttalib, a share for the needy, other than the needy of 'Abd al-Muttalib, and a share for the wayfarers who are weak and in need of help; (if ye believe in Allah and that which We revealed unto Our slave) Muhammad (pbuh) (on the Day of Discrimination) and the day of the alternation of power and victory of Muhammad (pbuh); it is also said that the Day of Discrimination means the day when Allah discriminated between truth and falsehood, i.e. the Day of Badr, when Allah decreed victory and the spoils of war for the Prophet (pbuh) and his Companions, while inflicting death and defeat upon Abu Jahl and his host, (the day when the two armies) the army of Muhammad (pbuh) and that of Abu Sufyan (met. And Allah is Able to do all things): victory and the possession of the spoils of war for the Prophet (pbuh) and death and defeat for Abu Jahl and his host.

(When ye were) O believers (on the near bank (of the valley)) close to Medina (and they) Abu Jahl and his host (were on the yonder bank) farther from Medina, beyond the valley, (and the caravan) of Abu Sufyan and his host (was below you (on the coast plain)) three miles away. (And had ye trysted to meet one another) in Medina to fight (ye surely would have failed to keep the tryst) to be able to do so, (but (it happened, as it did, without the forethought of either of you) that Allah might conclude a thing that must be done) giving victory and the spoils of war to the Prophet (pbuh) and his Companions, and death and defeat to Abu Jahl and his host; (that he who perished (on that day) might perish) he who perished as a disbeliever may perish (by a clear proof) after showing Allah's assistance to Muhammad (pbuh) (and he who survived) and was firm on faith (might survive) he whom Allah wills to make firm on faith (by a clear proof) after showing His assistance to Muhammad, Allah give him peace. It is also said that this means: so that he disbelieves he whom Allah willed him to disbelieve after seeing the clear proof (victory and seizure of the spoils of war by the Prophet (pbuh)) and so that he believes he whom Allah willed him to believe after seeing the clear proof. (Lo! Allah in truth is Hearer) of your supplications, (Knower) of the answer to your calls and assistance.

(When Allah showed them unto thee) O Muhammad (in your dream) on the Day of Badr (as few in number, and if He had shown them to thee as many, ye (Muslims) would have faltered) you would have been fearful (and would have quarrelled over the affair) over the question of war. (But Allah saved (you)) He decreed otherwise. (Lo! He knoweth what is in the breasts (of men)) what is in people's heart.

(And when He made you (Muslims), when ye met (them)) on the Day of Badr, (see them with your eyes as few) such that He emboldened you vis-�-vis them, (and lessened you in their eyes) such that they were emboldened vis-�-vis you, ((it was) that Allah might conclude a thing) so that Allah might give victory and the spoils of war to the Prophet (pbuh) and his Companions and bring about death and defeat for Abu Jahl and his host (that must be done) that has to be. (Unto Allah all things) the end results of things (are brought back) in the Hereafter.

(O ye who believe!) He means the Companions of Muhammad (pbuh) (When you meet an army) a group of the disbelievers on the Day of Badr, (hold firm) along with your prophet in war (and think of Allah much) in your hearts and with your tongues, saying: �there is no deity except Allah�, and �Allah is the greatest�, (that ye may be successful) that you may be safe from Allah's wrath and punishment and be assisted.

(And obey Allah and His messenger) in the matter of war, (and dispute not one with another) regarding war (lest ye falter) lest fear strikes you (and your strength depart from you) i.e. you are defeated; (but be steadfast!) in war along with your Prophet (Lo! Allah is with the steadfast) He helps the steadfast in war.

(Be not) in transgression (as those who came forth from their dwellings) i.e. Mecca (boastfully) impertinently (and to be seen of men) to gain reputation among men, (and debar (men) from the way of Allah) from Allah's Religion and obedience, (while Allah is surrounding all they do) regarding marching against the Prophet (pbuh) and the matter of war.

(And when Satan made their deeds seem fair to them) and when Iblis made their marching against the Muslims seem fair to them (and said: No one of mankind can conquer you this day) he meant Muhammad (pbuh) and his Companions, (for I am your protector) I will help you. (But when the armies came in sight of one another) the army of the believers and the army of the disbelievers and Iblis saw Gabriel with the angels (he took flight) he retreated, (saying) to the disbelievers: (Lo! I am guiltless of you) and of your fighting. (Lo! I see that which ye see not) I see Gabriel while you do not see him. (Lo! I fear Allah. And Allah is severe in punishment) when He punishes; Iblis was scared of being captured by Gabriel and of being shown to the disbelievers, for then they would never obey him.

(When the hypocrites) those who apostatised on the Day of Badr (and those in whose hearts is a disease) doubt and opposition as well as all disbelievers (said: Their religion) their profession of Allah's divine Oneness (hath deluded these) Muhammad (pbuh) and all his Companions. (Whoso putteth his trust in Allah) regarding His assistance (lo! Allah is Mighty) in His retribution against His enemies, (Wise) in giving assistance to those who put their trust in Him, just as He assisted His Prophet (pbuh) on the Day of Badr.

(If thou couldst see) O Muhammad (how the angels) on the Day of Badr (receive those who disbelieve) how they take away their souls, (smiting their faces and their backs and (saying): Taste the punishment of burning!) the severe punishment of burning.