8: Voluntary Gifts (Al-Anfal)
Revealed at Madinah
This chapter deals with the battle of Badr, the first battle which the Muslims had to fight, and it goes under the name of Anfāl, literally voluntary gifts, because the Muslim State had at the time no treasury, nor any arsenal, nor an army and voluntary gifts were therefore called for. It was not only this battle but all the succeeding battles which Muslims had to fight were carried on only by voluntary gifts. Success in this battle, against all odds, provided proof of the truth of the Holy Prophet’s mission and thus this chapter occurs after a discussion of prophethood in the last chapter. Most of this chapter was revealed in 2 A.H., while the concluding verses of sections 7 and 8 were revealed around the time of the conquest of Makkah in 8 A.H.
Section 1 (Verses 8:1–8:10): The Battle of Badr — Muslims go Forth
8:1
یَسۡـَٔلُوۡنَکَ عَنِ الۡاَنۡفَالِ ؕ قُلِ الۡاَنۡفَالُ لِلّٰہِ وَ الرَّسُوۡلِ ۚ فَاتَّقُوا اللّٰہَ وَ اَصۡلِحُوۡا ذَاتَ بَیۡنِکُمۡ ۪ وَ اَطِیۡعُوا اللّٰہَ وَ رَسُوۡلَہٗۤ اِنۡ کُنۡتُمۡ مُّؤۡمِنِیۡنَ ﴿۱﴾
They ask you about voluntary gifts. Say: Voluntary gifts are for Allah and the Messenger. So keep your duty to Allah and set aright your differences, and obey Allah and His Messenger, if you are believers.
There is much difference of opinion among the commentators as to what is meant by anfāl here. The most generally received opinion is that it means property acquired during the war. I take the word anfāl as carrying here its literal significance of voluntary gifts for the advancement of the cause of Islam, such voluntary gifts being most needed at a time when the very life of Islam was threatened. Indeed there is no better justification for a war than that it is carried on by the voluntary gifts of those whose life is in danger. It is the only war that is really carried on by the people in self-defence.
8:2
اِنَّمَا الۡمُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ الَّذِیۡنَ اِذَا ذُکِرَ اللّٰہُ وَجِلَتۡ قُلُوۡبُہُمۡ وَ اِذَا تُلِیَتۡ عَلَیۡہِمۡ اٰیٰتُہٗ زَادَتۡہُمۡ اِیۡمَانًا وَّ عَلٰی رَبِّہِمۡ یَتَوَکَّلُوۡنَ ۚ﴿ۖ۲﴾
They only are believers whose hearts are full of fear when Allah is mentioned, and when His messages are recited to them they increase them in faith, and in their Lord do they trust,
8:3
الَّذِیۡنَ یُقِیۡمُوۡنَ الصَّلٰوۃَ وَ مِمَّا رَزَقۡنٰہُمۡ یُنۡفِقُوۡنَ ؕ﴿۳﴾
those who keep up prayer and spend (on good works) out of what We have given them.
8:4
اُولٰٓئِکَ ہُمُ الۡمُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ حَقًّا ؕ لَہُمۡ دَرَجٰتٌ عِنۡدَ رَبِّہِمۡ وَ مَغۡفِرَۃٌ وَّ رِزۡقٌ کَرِیۡمٌ ۚ﴿۴﴾
These are the believers truly. For them are with their Lord exalted grades and protection and an honourable sustenance.
8:5
کَمَاۤ اَخۡرَجَکَ رَبُّکَ مِنۡۢ بَیۡتِکَ بِالۡحَقِّ ۪ وَ اِنَّ فَرِیۡقًا مِّنَ الۡمُؤۡمِنِیۡنَ لَکٰرِہُوۡنَ ۙ﴿۵﴾
Even as your Lord caused you to go forth from your house with truth, though some of the believers were surely averse,
The circumstances of the battle of Badr have been misunderstood. It is alleged that the Holy Prophet had made preparations for attacking an unarmed caravan of the Quraish on its way back from Syria to Makkah, when Abu Sufyan, the caravan leader, sent word to Makkah and obtained an escort of nearly a thousand men. If the Holy Prophet had desired to plunder the caravan when it approached Madinah, he would have done so long before Abu Sufyan could obtain assistance from Makkah, as Madinah was thirteen days’ journey from Makkah. Badr lies at a distance of three days’ journey from Madinah. The enemy had marched forth for ten days and the Muslims only for three days when the two forces encountered each other at Badr, which shows clearly that the Muslims had turned out to take the defensive against an invading force. It is clearly stated here that some of the believers were averse to fighting. They could not have been averse if they had to encounter only an unarmed caravan. It is said in the next verse that they went forth as if they were being driven to death. They knew that they were going to meet an enemy treble in numbers and much more powerful and efficient.
8:6
یُجَادِلُوۡنَکَ فِی الۡحَقِّ بَعۡدَ مَا تَبَیَّنَ کَاَنَّمَا یُسَاقُوۡنَ اِلَی الۡمَوۡتِ وَ ہُمۡ یَنۡظُرُوۡنَ ؕ﴿۶﴾
disputing with you about the truth after it had become clear — as if they were being driven to death while they saw (it).
8:7
وَ اِذۡ یَعِدُکُمُ اللّٰہُ اِحۡدَی الطَّآئِفَتَیۡنِ اَنَّہَا لَکُمۡ وَ تَوَدُّوۡنَ اَنَّ غَیۡرَ ذَاتِ الشَّوۡکَۃِ تَکُوۡنُ لَکُمۡ وَ یُرِیۡدُ اللّٰہُ اَنۡ یُّحِقَّ الۡحَقَّ بِکَلِمٰتِہٖ وَ یَقۡطَعَ دَابِرَ الۡکٰفِرِیۡنَ ۙ﴿۷﴾
And when Allah promised you one of the two parties that it should be yours, and you loved that the one not armed should be yours, and Allah desired to establish the Truth by His words, and to cut off the root of the disbelievers —
The two parties referred to were the unarmed caravan of the Quraish going to Makkah and the armed force of the Quraish that was on its way to Madinah. Naturally, some of the Muslims desired that their encounter should take place with the unarmed Quraish caravan.
8:8
لِیُحِقَّ الۡحَقَّ وَ یُبۡطِلَ الۡبَاطِلَ وَ لَوۡ کَرِہَ الۡمُجۡرِمُوۡنَ ۚ﴿۸﴾
that He might cause the Truth to triumph and bring falsehood to failure, though the guilty disliked.
8:9
اِذۡ تَسۡتَغِیۡثُوۡنَ رَبَّکُمۡ فَاسۡتَجَابَ لَکُمۡ اَنِّیۡ مُمِدُّکُمۡ بِاَلۡفٍ مِّنَ الۡمَلٰٓئِکَۃِ مُرۡدِفِیۡنَ ﴿۹﴾
When you sought the aid of your Lord, so He answered you: I will assist you with a thousand of the angels following one another.
8:10
وَ مَا جَعَلَہُ اللّٰہُ اِلَّا بُشۡرٰی وَ لِتَطۡمَئِنَّ بِہٖ قُلُوۡبُکُمۡ ۚ وَ مَا النَّصۡرُ اِلَّا مِنۡ عِنۡدِ اللّٰہِ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ عَزِیۡزٌ حَکِیۡمٌ ﴿٪۱۰﴾
And Allah gave it only as good news, and that your hearts might be at ease by it. And victory is only from Allah; surely Allah is Mighty, Wise.
See 3:124 footnote. It is nowhere stated in the Quran that the angels actually fought, but here, as in 3:126, we are told that the angels were sent down to bear good news of victory and to ease the hearts of the Muslims. Here, however, we are further told that, as a result of the coming of the angels, calm fell upon the Muslims, their hearts being strengthened and their footsteps being steadied (v. 11), and that while the believers were thus made firm, terror was cast into the hearts of the disbelievers (v. 12). Hence it is that the number of angels corresponds with the strength of the enemy force in each case.
Section 2 (Verses 8:11–8:19): The Battle of Badr — Fighting
8:11
اِذۡ یُغَشِّیۡکُمُ النُّعَاسَ اَمَنَۃً مِّنۡہُ وَ یُنَزِّلُ عَلَیۡکُمۡ مِّنَ السَّمَآءِ مَآءً لِّیُطَہِّرَکُمۡ بِہٖ وَ یُذۡہِبَ عَنۡکُمۡ رِجۡزَ الشَّیۡطٰنِ وَ لِیَرۡبِطَ عَلٰی قُلُوۡبِکُمۡ وَ یُثَبِّتَ بِہِ الۡاَقۡدَامَ ﴿ؕ۱۱﴾
When He made slumber fall on you as a security from Him, and sent down upon you water from the clouds that He might purify you with it, and take away from you the uncleanness of the devil, and that He might fortify your hearts and make firm (your) feet by it.
Compare 25:25, which is a prophecy about the events of this remarkable battle: “And on the day when the heaven bursts apart with clouds, and the angels are sent down, as they are sent”. The rainfall brought many advantages to the Muslims, for which see the next footnote.
8:12
اِذۡ یُوۡحِیۡ رَبُّکَ اِلَی الۡمَلٰٓئِکَۃِ اَنِّیۡ مَعَکُمۡ فَثَبِّتُوا الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا ؕ سَاُلۡقِیۡ فِیۡ قُلُوۡبِ الَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوا الرُّعۡبَ فَاضۡرِبُوۡا فَوۡقَ الۡاَعۡنَاقِ وَ اضۡرِبُوۡا مِنۡہُمۡ کُلَّ بَنَانٍ ﴿ؕ۱۲﴾
When your Lord revealed to the angels: I am with you, so make firm those who believe. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. So strike above the necks and strike every finger-tip of them.
The two phrases, strike above the necks and strike the finger-tips, respectively signify the killing of the enemy and disabling him so as to render him unfit for taking further part in fighting.
8:13
ذٰلِکَ بِاَنَّہُمۡ شَآقُّوا اللّٰہَ وَ رَسُوۡلَہٗ ۚ وَ مَنۡ یُّشَاقِقِ اللّٰہَ وَ رَسُوۡلَہٗ فَاِنَّ اللّٰہَ شَدِیۡدُ الۡعِقَابِ ﴿۱۳﴾
This is because they opposed Allah and His Messenger. And whoever opposes Allah and His Messenger — then surely Allah is Severe in retribution.
8:14
ذٰلِکُمۡ فَذُوۡقُوۡہُ وَ اَنَّ لِلۡکٰفِرِیۡنَ عَذَابَ النَّارِ ﴿۱۴﴾
This — taste it, and (know) that for the disbelievers is the punishment of the Fire.
8:15
یٰۤاَیُّہَا الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡۤا اِذَا لَقِیۡتُمُ الَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوۡا زَحۡفًا فَلَا تُوَلُّوۡہُمُ الۡاَدۡبَارَ ﴿ۚ۱۵﴾
O you who believe, when you meet those who disbelieve marching for war, do not turn your backs to them.
8:16
وَ مَنۡ یُّوَلِّہِمۡ یَوۡمَئِذٍ دُبُرَہٗۤ اِلَّا مُتَحَرِّفًا لِّقِتَالٍ اَوۡ مُتَحَیِّزًا اِلٰی فِئَۃٍ فَقَدۡ بَآءَ بِغَضَبٍ مِّنَ اللّٰہِ وَ مَاۡوٰىہُ جَہَنَّمُ ؕ وَ بِئۡسَ الۡمَصِیۡرُ ﴿۱۶﴾
And whoever turns his back to them on that day — unless manoeuvring for battle or turning to join a company — he indeed incurs Allah’s wrath and his refuge is hell. And an evil destination it is.
8:17
فَلَمۡ تَقۡتُلُوۡہُمۡ وَ لٰکِنَّ اللّٰہَ قَتَلَہُمۡ ۪ وَ مَا رَمَیۡتَ اِذۡ رَمَیۡتَ وَ لٰکِنَّ اللّٰہَ رَمٰی ۚ وَ لِیُبۡلِیَ الۡمُؤۡمِنِیۡنَ مِنۡہُ بَلَآءً حَسَنًا ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ سَمِیۡعٌ عَلِیۡمٌ ﴿۱۷﴾
So you did not kill them but Allah killed them, and you (O Prophet) did not strike when you struck (the enemy), but Allah struck (him), and that He might confer upon the believers a benefit from Himself. Surely Allah is Hearing, Knowing.
Ramā carries a number of significances, including throwing, flinging, assailing and striking. It is used in connection with fighting, and therefore striking is its equivalent here. The first part of the verse about killing refers to the Muslims generally, the address being in the plural; and the second part, being in the singular, is understood as referring to the Holy Prophet. The Muslims killed the enemy, but it is affirmed that really they did not kill, but it was Allah Who killed them; the meaning apparently being that Allah’s hand was working in the battle. The same applies to the other passage relating to the striking of the enemy by the Holy Prophet. Whether the Prophet actually threw a handful of pebbles at the enemy, which discomfited the latter, is a different question. It was Allah’s hand that killed them, and it was His hand that struck them and ultimately put them to rout.
8:18
ذٰلِکُمۡ وَ اَنَّ اللّٰہَ مُوۡہِنُ کَیۡدِ الۡکٰفِرِیۡنَ ﴿۱۸﴾
This — and (know) that Allah will weaken the struggle of the disbelievers.
This here stands for: this was the Divine purpose in bringing about this encounter.
8:19
اِنۡ تَسۡتَفۡتِحُوۡا فَقَدۡ جَآءَکُمُ الۡفَتۡحُ ۚ وَ اِنۡ تَنۡتَہُوۡا فَہُوَ خَیۡرٌ لَّکُمۡ ۚ وَ اِنۡ تَعُوۡدُوۡا نَعُدۡ ۚ وَ لَنۡ تُغۡنِیَ عَنۡکُمۡ فِئَتُکُمۡ شَیۡئًا وَّ لَوۡ کَثُرَتۡ ۙ وَ اَنَّ اللّٰہَ مَعَ الۡمُؤۡمِنِیۡنَ ﴿٪۱۹﴾
If you sought a judgment, the judgment has indeed come to you; and if you cease (fighting), it is better for you. And if you return (to fighting), We (too) shall return and your forces will not avail you at all, though they may be many; and (know) that Allah is with the believers.
Section 3 (Verses 8:20–8:28): The Way to Success
8:20
یٰۤاَیُّہَا الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡۤا اَطِیۡعُوا اللّٰہَ وَ رَسُوۡلَہٗ وَ لَا تَوَلَّوۡا عَنۡہُ وَ اَنۡتُمۡ تَسۡمَعُوۡنَ ﴿ۚۖ۲۰﴾
O you who believe, obey Allah and His Messenger and do not turn away from Him while you hear.
8:21
وَ لَا تَکُوۡنُوۡا کَالَّذِیۡنَ قَالُوۡا سَمِعۡنَا وَ ہُمۡ لَا یَسۡمَعُوۡنَ ﴿۲۱﴾
And do not be like those who say, We hear; and they do not hear.
8:22
اِنَّ شَرَّ الدَّوَآبِّ عِنۡدَ اللّٰہِ الصُّمُّ الۡبُکۡمُ الَّذِیۡنَ لَا یَعۡقِلُوۡنَ ﴿۲۲﴾
Surely the vilest of beasts, in Allah’s sight, are the deaf, the dumb, who do not understand.
The deaf and the dumb signify those who are spiritually deaf and dumb — those who do not understand.
8:23
وَ لَوۡ عَلِمَ اللّٰہُ فِیۡہِمۡ خَیۡرًا لَّاَسۡمَعَہُمۡ ؕ وَ لَوۡ اَسۡمَعَہُمۡ لَتَوَلَّوۡا وَّ ہُمۡ مُّعۡرِضُوۡنَ ﴿۲۳﴾
And if Allah had known any good in them, He would have made them hear. And if He makes them hear, they would turn away while they are averse.
8:24
یٰۤاَیُّہَا الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوا اسۡتَجِیۡبُوۡا لِلّٰہِ وَ لِلرَّسُوۡلِ اِذَا دَعَاکُمۡ لِمَا یُحۡیِیۡکُمۡ ۚ وَ اعۡلَمُوۡۤا اَنَّ اللّٰہَ یَحُوۡلُ بَیۡنَ الۡمَرۡءِ وَ قَلۡبِہٖ وَ اَنَّہٗۤ اِلَیۡہِ تُحۡشَرُوۡنَ ﴿۲۴﴾
O you who believe, respond to Allah and His Messenger, when he calls you to that which gives you life. And know that Allah comes in between a man and his heart, and that to Him you will be gathered.
Faith or submission to Allah is life, and disbelief is death. By the expression that which gives you life some understand the Quran, others take it to mean jihad, or exertion in the cause of truth. Evidently it is faith.
8:25
وَ اتَّقُوۡا فِتۡنَۃً لَّا تُصِیۡبَنَّ الَّذِیۡنَ ظَلَمُوۡا مِنۡکُمۡ خَآصَّۃً ۚ وَ اعۡلَمُوۡۤا اَنَّ اللّٰہَ شَدِیۡدُ الۡعِقَابِ ﴿۲۵﴾
And guard yourselves against an affliction which may not strike those of you exclusively who are wrongdoers; and know that Allah is Severe in retribution.
This refers to afflictions that are of such a widespread nature as to overtake even others, in addition to those for whom they are primarily intended.
8:26
وَ اذۡکُرُوۡۤا اِذۡ اَنۡتُمۡ قَلِیۡلٌ مُّسۡتَضۡعَفُوۡنَ فِی الۡاَرۡضِ تَخَافُوۡنَ اَنۡ یَّتَخَطَّفَکُمُ النَّاسُ فَاٰوٰىکُمۡ وَ اَیَّدَکُمۡ بِنَصۡرِہٖ وَ رَزَقَکُمۡ مِّنَ الطَّیِّبٰتِ لَعَلَّکُمۡ تَشۡکُرُوۡنَ ﴿۲۶﴾
And remember when you were few, considered weak in the land, fearing if people should carry you off by force, He sheltered you and strengthened you with His help, and gave you good things that you might give thanks.
8:27
یٰۤاَیُّہَا الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا لَا تَخُوۡنُوا اللّٰہَ وَ الرَّسُوۡلَ وَ تَخُوۡنُوۡۤا اَمٰنٰتِکُمۡ وَ اَنۡتُمۡ تَعۡلَمُوۡنَ ﴿۲۷﴾
O you who believe, do not be unfaithful to Allah and the Messenger, nor be unfaithful to your trusts, while you know.
8:28
وَ اعۡلَمُوۡۤا اَنَّمَاۤ اَمۡوَالُکُمۡ وَ اَوۡلَادُکُمۡ فِتۡنَۃٌ ۙ وَّ اَنَّ اللّٰہَ عِنۡدَہٗۤ اَجۡرٌ عَظِیۡمٌ ﴿٪۲۸﴾
And know that your wealth and your children are a temptation, and that Allah is He with Whom there is a mighty reward.
Section 4 (Verses 8:29–8:37): Muslims to be Guardians of the Sacred Mosque
8:29
یٰۤاَیُّہَا الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡۤا اِنۡ تَتَّقُوا اللّٰہَ یَجۡعَلۡ لَّکُمۡ فُرۡقَانًا وَّ یُکَفِّرۡ عَنۡکُمۡ سَیِّاٰتِکُمۡ وَ یَغۡفِرۡ لَکُمۡ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ ذُو الۡفَضۡلِ الۡعَظِیۡمِ ﴿۲۹﴾
O you who believe, if you keep your duty to Allah, He will grant you a distinction and do away with your evils and protect you. And Allah is the Lord of mighty grace.
8:30
وَ اِذۡ یَمۡکُرُ بِکَ الَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوۡا لِیُثۡبِتُوۡکَ اَوۡ یَقۡتُلُوۡکَ اَوۡ یُخۡرِجُوۡکَ ؕ وَ یَمۡکُرُوۡنَ وَ یَمۡکُرُ اللّٰہُ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ خَیۡرُ الۡمٰکِرِیۡنَ ﴿۳۰﴾
And when those who disbelieved devised plans against you that they might confine you or kill you or drive you away — and they devised plans and Allah, too, had arranged a plan; and Allah is the Best of planners.
The reference is to the final plans of the Quraish when, the Companions having emigrated to Madinah, the Prophet was left alone at Makkah. The Divine plan was that the disbelievers should see the downfall of their power at the hands of the Prophet.
8:31
وَ اِذَا تُتۡلٰی عَلَیۡہِمۡ اٰیٰتُنَا قَالُوۡا قَدۡ سَمِعۡنَا لَوۡ نَشَآءُ لَقُلۡنَا مِثۡلَ ہٰذَاۤ ۙ اِنۡ ہٰذَاۤ اِلَّاۤ اَسَاطِیۡرُ الۡاَوَّلِیۡنَ ﴿۳۱﴾
And when Our messages are recited to them, they say: We have heard. If we wished, we could say the like of it; this is nothing but the stories of the ancients.
That this was an empty boast is confirmed by the fact that, although the Quran repeatedly challenged them to produce anything like it, they could not produce even the like of its shortest chapter.
8:32
وَ اِذۡ قَالُوا اللّٰہُمَّ اِنۡ کَانَ ہٰذَا ہُوَ الۡحَقَّ مِنۡ عِنۡدِکَ فَاَمۡطِرۡ عَلَیۡنَا حِجَارَۃً مِّنَ السَّمَآءِ اَوِ ائۡتِنَا بِعَذَابٍ اَلِیۡمٍ ﴿۳۲﴾
And when they said: O Allah, if this is indeed the truth from You, then rain down on us stones from heaven or inflict on us a painful punishment.
8:33
وَ مَا کَانَ اللّٰہُ لِیُعَذِّبَہُمۡ وَ اَنۡتَ فِیۡہِمۡ ؕ وَ مَا کَانَ اللّٰہُ مُعَذِّبَہُمۡ وَ ہُمۡ یَسۡتَغۡفِرُوۡنَ ﴿۳۳﴾
And Allah would not punish them while you were among them; nor would Allah punish them while they seek forgiveness.
The punishment was to overtake them when the Holy Prophet was no more among them, i.e. after his flight from Makkah. But even then the punishment might be averted if they asked for forgiveness.
8:34
وَ مَا لَہُمۡ اَلَّا یُعَذِّبَہُمُ اللّٰہُ وَ ہُمۡ یَصُدُّوۡنَ عَنِ الۡمَسۡجِدِ الۡحَرَامِ وَ مَا کَانُوۡۤا اَوۡلِیَآءَہٗ ؕ اِنۡ اَوۡلِیَآؤُہٗۤ اِلَّا الۡمُتَّقُوۡنَ وَ لٰکِنَّ اَکۡثَرَہُمۡ لَا یَعۡلَمُوۡنَ ﴿۳۴﴾
And what excuse have they that Allah should not punish them while they hinder (people) from the Sacred Mosque and they are not its (true) guardians? Its guardians are only those who keep their duty, but most of them do not know.
The words contain a prophecy not only as to the deprivation of the disbelieving Quraish of the guardianship of the Ka‘bah, but also as to the passing of the guardianship into the hands of the Muslims.
8:35
وَ مَا کَانَ صَلَاتُہُمۡ عِنۡدَ الۡبَیۡتِ اِلَّا مُکَآءً وَّ تَصۡدِیَۃً ؕ فَذُوۡقُوا الۡعَذَابَ بِمَا کُنۡتُمۡ تَکۡفُرُوۡنَ ﴿۳۵﴾
And their prayer at the House is nothing but whistling and clapping of hands. Taste, then, the punishment, because you disbelieved.
In fact the House was not used by them for offering prayers to God but for sacrilegious talk and gossiping.
8:36
اِنَّ الَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوۡا یُنۡفِقُوۡنَ اَمۡوَالَہُمۡ لِیَصُدُّوۡا عَنۡ سَبِیۡلِ اللّٰہِ ؕ فَسَیُنۡفِقُوۡنَہَا ثُمَّ تَکُوۡنُ عَلَیۡہِمۡ حَسۡرَۃً ثُمَّ یُغۡلَبُوۡنَ ۬ؕ وَ الَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوۡۤا اِلٰی جَہَنَّمَ یُحۡشَرُوۡنَ ﴿ۙ۳۶﴾
Surely those who disbelieve spend their wealth to hinder (people) from the way of Allah. So they will go on spending it, then it will be to them a regret, then they will be overcome. And those who disbelieve will be gathered together to hell,
8:37
لِیَمِیۡزَ اللّٰہُ الۡخَبِیۡثَ مِنَ الطَّیِّبِ وَ یَجۡعَلَ الۡخَبِیۡثَ بَعۡضَہٗ عَلٰی بَعۡضٍ فَیَرۡکُمَہٗ جَمِیۡعًا فَیَجۡعَلَہٗ فِیۡ جَہَنَّمَ ؕ اُولٰٓئِکَ ہُمُ الۡخٰسِرُوۡنَ ﴿٪۳۷﴾
that Allah may separate the wicked from the good, and put the wicked upon one another, then heap them together, then cast them into hell. These indeed are the losers.
Section 5 (Verses 8:38–8:44): Badr as Sign of the Prophet’s Truth
8:38
قُلۡ لِّلَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوۡۤا اِنۡ یَّنۡتَہُوۡا یُغۡفَرۡ لَہُمۡ مَّا قَدۡ سَلَفَ ۚ وَ اِنۡ یَّعُوۡدُوۡا فَقَدۡ مَضَتۡ سُنَّتُ الۡاَوَّلِیۡنَ ﴿۳۸﴾
Say to those who disbelieve, if they cease (fighting), what is past will be forgiven them; and if they return (to it), then the example of those of old has already gone.
They had gone away from Badr quite discomfited, and they were told that, if they ceased fighting, they would be forgiven. Otherwise, they could read their own doom in the doom of those with whom Allah had dealt previously in similar circumstances.
8:39
وَ قَاتِلُوۡہُمۡ حَتّٰی لَا تَکُوۡنَ فِتۡنَۃٌ وَّ یَکُوۡنَ الدِّیۡنُ کُلُّہٗ لِلّٰہِ ۚ فَاِنِ انۡتَہَوۡا فَاِنَّ اللّٰہَ بِمَا یَعۡمَلُوۡنَ بَصِیۡرٌ ﴿۳۹﴾
And fight them until there is no more persecution, and all religions are for Allah. But if they cease, then surely Allah is Seer of what they do.
That is, if they cease fighting and put an end to their mischief, God’s decree of punishment will not be executed. The state of religious liberty which Islam aimed at is put tersely in the two opening statements — there is no more persecution and all religions are for Allah, everyone being at liberty to hold any belief he likes.
8:40
وَ اِنۡ تَوَلَّوۡا فَاعۡلَمُوۡۤا اَنَّ اللّٰہَ مَوۡلٰىکُمۡ ؕ نِعۡمَ الۡمَوۡلٰی وَ نِعۡمَ النَّصِیۡرُ ﴿۴۰﴾
And if they turn back, then know that Allah is your Patron. Most excellent the Patron and most excellent the Helper!
8:41
وَ اعۡلَمُوۡۤا اَنَّمَا غَنِمۡتُمۡ مِّنۡ شَیۡءٍ فَاَنَّ لِلّٰہِ خُمُسَہٗ وَ لِلرَّسُوۡلِ وَ لِذِی الۡقُرۡبٰی وَ الۡیَتٰمٰی وَ الۡمَسٰکِیۡنِ وَ ابۡنِ السَّبِیۡلِ ۙ اِنۡ کُنۡتُمۡ اٰمَنۡتُمۡ بِاللّٰہِ وَ مَاۤ اَنۡزَلۡنَا عَلٰی عَبۡدِنَا یَوۡمَ الۡفُرۡقَانِ یَوۡمَ الۡتَقَی الۡجَمۡعٰنِ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ عَلٰی کُلِّ شَیۡءٍ قَدِیۡرٌ ﴿۴۱﴾
And know that whatever you acquire in war, a fifth of it is for Allah and for the Messenger and for the near of kin and the orphans and the needy and the traveller, if you believe in Allah and in what We revealed to Our servant, on the day of Distinction, the day on which the two forces met. And Allah is Powerful over all things.
The one-fifth spoken of here is to be divided again into five parts, the Prophet, the near of kin, the orphans, the poor, and the traveller being equal sharers. The near of kin included all individuals belonging to the tribes of Bani Hashim and Bani Abdul Muttalib, to whom zakāt money was not allowed. The poor among them were thus paid from this source of income. As to the Holy Prophet’s twenty-fifth, it was also used for the benefit of the Muslims. The remaining four-fifths of the acquisitions were divided among those who took part in the battle, as they were not otherwise paid for their services, but there is no order to this effect in the Quran itself. This arrangement was simply an exigency. War was forced on Muslims all of a sudden when the State had not yet been properly formed; there was no army at all, nor a treasury from which to pay it; and just as they were required to carry on war on the basis of voluntary gifts, so they were allowed a share in the war acquisitions. If the State pays its soldiers as it pays its civil servants, the war acquisitions would all go to the State treasury.
8:42
اِذۡ اَنۡتُمۡ بِالۡعُدۡوَۃِ الدُّنۡیَا وَ ہُمۡ بِالۡعُدۡوَۃِ الۡقُصۡوٰی وَ الرَّکۡبُ اَسۡفَلَ مِنۡکُمۡ ؕ وَ لَوۡ تَوَاعَدۡتُّمۡ لَاخۡتَلَفۡتُمۡ فِی الۡمِیۡعٰدِ ۙ وَ لٰکِنۡ لِّیَقۡضِیَ اللّٰہُ اَمۡرًا کَانَ مَفۡعُوۡلًا ۬ۙ لِّیَہۡلِکَ مَنۡ ہَلَکَ عَنۡۢ بَیِّنَۃٍ وَّ یَحۡیٰی مَنۡ حَیَّ عَنۡۢ بَیِّنَۃٍ ؕ وَ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ لَسَمِیۡعٌ عَلِیۡمٌ ﴿ۙ۴۲﴾
When you were on the nearer side (of the valley) and they were on the farther side, while the caravan was in a lower place than you. And if you had tried to make a mutual appointment, you would certainly have broken away from the appointment, but — in order that Allah might bring about a matter which had to be done; that he who perished by clear argument might perish, and he who lived by clear argument might live. And surely Allah is Hearing, Knowing:
The Muslims were on the side nearer to Madinah, the main army of the Quraish was on the side which was farther from Madinah, while the caravan was in a lower place, i.e. towards the sea-coast, and farther away from Madinah, on its way to Makkah.
8:43
اِذۡ یُرِیۡکَہُمُ اللّٰہُ فِیۡ مَنَامِکَ قَلِیۡلًا ؕ وَ لَوۡ اَرٰىکَہُمۡ کَثِیۡرًا لَّفَشِلۡتُمۡ وَ لَتَنَازَعۡتُمۡ فِی الۡاَمۡرِ وَ لٰکِنَّ اللّٰہَ سَلَّمَ ؕ اِنَّہٗ عَلِیۡمٌۢ بِذَاتِ الصُّدُوۡرِ ﴿۴۳﴾
When Allah showed them to you in your dream as few — and if He had shown them to you as many, you (O Muslims) would certainly have become weak-hearted and you would have disputed about the matter, but Allah saved (you). Surely He is Knower of what is in the hearts.
The Holy Prophet’s seeing them few in a vision must be interpreted as signifying their actual weakness, despite their great number.
8:44
وَ اِذۡ یُرِیۡکُمُوۡہُمۡ اِذِ الۡتَقَیۡتُمۡ فِیۡۤ اَعۡیُنِکُمۡ قَلِیۡلًا وَّ یُقَلِّلُکُمۡ فِیۡۤ اَعۡیُنِہِمۡ لِیَقۡضِیَ اللّٰہُ اَمۡرًا کَانَ مَفۡعُوۡلًا ؕ وَ اِلَی اللّٰہِ تُرۡجَعُ الۡاُمُوۡرُ ﴿٪۴۴﴾
And when He showed them to you, when you met, as few in your eyes, and He made you to appear few in their eyes, in order that Allah might bring about a matter which had to be done. And to Allah are all affairs returned.
Here we are told that they were also shown to be few to the Muslims when the two armies met. See 3:13 and footnote.
Section 6 (Verses 8:45–8:48): Success does not Depend on Numbers
8:45
یٰۤاَیُّہَا الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡۤا اِذَا لَقِیۡتُمۡ فِئَۃً فَاثۡبُتُوۡا وَ اذۡکُرُوا اللّٰہَ کَثِیۡرًا لَّعَلَّکُمۡ تُفۡلِحُوۡنَ ﴿ۚ۴۵﴾
O you who believe, when you meet an army, be firm, and remember Allah much, that you may be successful.
8:46
وَ اَطِیۡعُوا اللّٰہَ وَ رَسُوۡلَہٗ وَ لَا تَنَازَعُوۡا فَتَفۡشَلُوۡا وَ تَذۡہَبَ رِیۡحُکُمۡ وَ اصۡبِرُوۡا ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ مَعَ الصّٰبِرِیۡنَ ﴿ۚ۴۶﴾
And obey Allah and His Messenger and do not dispute with one another so that you get weak-hearted and your power departs; and be steadfast. Surely Allah is with the steadfast.
8:47
وَ لَا تَکُوۡنُوۡا کَالَّذِیۡنَ خَرَجُوۡا مِنۡ دِیَارِہِمۡ بَطَرًا وَّ رِئَآءَ النَّاسِ وَ یَصُدُّوۡنَ عَنۡ سَبِیۡلِ اللّٰہِ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ بِمَا یَعۡمَلُوۡنَ مُحِیۡطٌ ﴿۴۷﴾
And do not be like those who came forth from their homes exultingly and to be seen by people, and they hinder (people) from the way of Allah. And Allah encompasses what they do.
This clearly refers to the army of the Quraish which had marched forth in great exultation to destroy Madinah.
8:48
وَ اِذۡ زَیَّنَ لَہُمُ الشَّیۡطٰنُ اَعۡمَالَہُمۡ وَ قَالَ لَا غَالِبَ لَکُمُ الۡیَوۡمَ مِنَ النَّاسِ وَ اِنِّیۡ جَارٌ لَّکُمۡ ۚ فَلَمَّا تَرَآءَتِ الۡفِئَتٰنِ نَکَصَ عَلٰی عَقِبَیۡہِ وَ قَالَ اِنِّیۡ بَرِیۡٓءٌ مِّنۡکُمۡ اِنِّیۡۤ اَرٰی مَا لَا تَرَوۡنَ اِنِّیۡۤ اَخَافُ اللّٰہَ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ شَدِیۡدُ الۡعِقَابِ ﴿٪۴۸﴾
And when the devil made their works seem good to them, and said: No man can overcome you this day, and I am your protector. But when the two armies came in sight of one another, he turned upon his heels, and said: Surely I am clear of you, I see what you do not see; surely I fear Allah. And Allah is Severe in retribution.
The person referred to here as the devil is said to have been Surāqa ibn Mālik who gave the Quraish promise of help. However, what is stated here may only be the devil’s suggestion to the Quraish leaders.
Section 7 (Verses 8:49–8:58): Enemy’s Strength Weakened
8:49
اِذۡ یَقُوۡلُ الۡمُنٰفِقُوۡنَ وَ الَّذِیۡنَ فِیۡ قُلُوۡبِہِمۡ مَّرَضٌ غَرَّہٰۤؤُ لَآءِ دِیۡنُہُمۡ ؕ وَ مَنۡ یَّتَوَکَّلۡ عَلَی اللّٰہِ فَاِنَّ اللّٰہَ عَزِیۡزٌ حَکِیۡمٌ ﴿۴۹﴾
And when the hypocrites and those in whose hearts is a disease said: Their religion has deluded them. And whoever trusts in Allah, then surely Allah is Mighty, Wise.
8:50
وَ لَوۡ تَرٰۤی اِذۡ یَتَوَفَّی الَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوا ۙ الۡمَلٰٓئِکَۃُ یَضۡرِبُوۡنَ وُجُوۡہَہُمۡ وَ اَدۡبَارَہُمۡ ۚ وَ ذُوۡقُوۡا عَذَابَ الۡحَرِیۡقِ ﴿۵۰﴾
And if you could see when the angels cause to die those who disbelieve, striking their faces and their backs, and (saying): Taste the punishment of burning.
8:51
ذٰلِکَ بِمَا قَدَّمَتۡ اَیۡدِیۡکُمۡ وَ اَنَّ اللّٰہَ لَیۡسَ بِظَلَّامٍ لِّلۡعَبِیۡدِ ﴿ۙ۵۱﴾
This is for what your hands have sent ahead, and because Allah is not in the least unjust to the servants —
8:52
کَدَاۡبِ اٰلِ فِرۡعَوۡنَ ۙ وَ الَّذِیۡنَ مِنۡ قَبۡلِہِمۡ ؕ کَفَرُوۡا بِاٰیٰتِ اللّٰہِ فَاَخَذَہُمُ اللّٰہُ بِذُنُوۡبِہِمۡ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ قَوِیٌّ شَدِیۡدُ الۡعِقَابِ ﴿۵۲﴾
in the manner of the people of Pharaoh and those before them, they disbelieved in Allah’s messages, so Allah punished them for their sins. Surely Allah is Strong, Severe in retribution.
8:53
ذٰلِکَ بِاَنَّ اللّٰہَ لَمۡ یَکُ مُغَیِّرًا نِّعۡمَۃً اَنۡعَمَہَا عَلٰی قَوۡمٍ حَتّٰی یُغَیِّرُوۡا مَا بِاَنۡفُسِہِمۡ ۙ وَ اَنَّ اللّٰہَ سَمِیۡعٌ عَلِیۡمٌ ﴿ۙ۵۳﴾
This is because Allah never changes a favour which He has conferred upon a people until they change their own condition — and because Allah is Hearing, Knowing —
8:54
کَدَاۡبِ اٰلِ فِرۡعَوۡنَ ۙ وَ الَّذِیۡنَ مِنۡ قَبۡلِہِمۡ ؕ کَذَّبُوۡا بِاٰیٰتِ رَبِّہِمۡ فَاَہۡلَکۡنٰہُمۡ بِذُنُوۡبِہِمۡ وَ اَغۡرَقۡنَاۤ اٰلَ فِرۡعَوۡنَ ۚ وَ کُلٌّ کَانُوۡا ظٰلِمِیۡنَ ﴿۵۴﴾
in the manner of the people of Pharaoh, and those before them. They rejected the messages of their Lord, so We destroyed them for their sins. And We drowned Pharaoh’s people and they were all wrongdoers.
8:55
اِنَّ شَرَّ الدَّوَآبِّ عِنۡدَ اللّٰہِ الَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوۡا فَہُمۡ لَا یُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ ﴿ۖۚ۵۵﴾
Surely the vilest of beasts in Allah’s sight are those who disbelieve, then they would not believe —
8:56
اَلَّذِیۡنَ عٰہَدۡتَّ مِنۡہُمۡ ثُمَّ یَنۡقُضُوۡنَ عَہۡدَہُمۡ فِیۡ کُلِّ مَرَّۃٍ وَّ ہُمۡ لَا یَتَّقُوۡنَ ﴿۵۶﴾
those with whom you make an agreement, then they break their agreement every time, and they do not keep their duty.
It shows how the opponents of Islam disregarded their responsibility and violated their agreements. The use of the words every time shows clearly that the Muslims never hesitated in making a new agreement when one was violated, but the disbelievers did not even then respect their agreements; hence, as a last resort, Muslims were allowed to repudiate unrespected agreements (v. 58).
8:57
فَاِمَّا تَثۡقَفَنَّہُمۡ فِی الۡحَرۡبِ فَشَرِّدۡ بِہِمۡ مَّنۡ خَلۡفَہُمۡ لَعَلَّہُمۡ یَذَّکَّرُوۡنَ ﴿۵۷﴾
So if you overtake them in war, scatter by them those who are behind them, that they may be mindful.
That is, an exemplary punishment should be inflicted on them, so that a stop might be put to further fighting and bloodshed.
8:58
وَ اِمَّا تَخَافَنَّ مِنۡ قَوۡمٍ خِیَانَۃً فَانۡۢبِذۡ اِلَیۡہِمۡ عَلٰی سَوَآءٍ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ لَا یُحِبُّ الۡخَآئِنِیۡنَ ﴿٪۵۸﴾
And if you fear treachery on the part of a people, throw back to them (their treaty) on terms of equality. Surely Allah does not love the treacherous.
If the other party does not remain faithful to the agreement of peace, Muslims may also repudiate it. The word fear does not indicate that a mere apprehension, unsupported by any action on the other side’s part, is sufficient for repudiation. Read it along with v. 62, and the meaning is clear.
Section 8 (Verses 8:59–8:64): Peace to be Secured by Strength
8:59
وَ لَا یَحۡسَبَنَّ الَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوۡا سَبَقُوۡا ؕ اِنَّہُمۡ لَا یُعۡجِزُوۡنَ ﴿۵۹﴾
And those who disbelieve should not think that they can outstrip (Us). Surely they cannot escape.
8:60
وَ اَعِدُّوۡا لَہُمۡ مَّا اسۡتَطَعۡتُمۡ مِّنۡ قُوَّۃٍ وَّ مِنۡ رِّبَاطِ الۡخَیۡلِ تُرۡہِبُوۡنَ بِہٖ عَدُوَّ اللّٰہِ وَ عَدُوَّکُمۡ وَ اٰخَرِیۡنَ مِنۡ دُوۡنِہِمۡ ۚ لَا تَعۡلَمُوۡنَہُمۡ ۚ اَللّٰہُ یَعۡلَمُہُمۡ ؕ وَ مَا تُنۡفِقُوۡا مِنۡ شَیۡءٍ فِیۡ سَبِیۡلِ اللّٰہِ یُوَفَّ اِلَیۡکُمۡ وَ اَنۡتُمۡ لَا تُظۡلَمُوۡنَ ﴿۶۰﴾
And make ready for them whatever force you can and horses tied at the frontier, to frighten thereby the enemy of Allah and your enemy and others besides them, whom you do not know — Allah knows them. And whatever you spend in Allah’s way, it will be paid back to you fully and you will not be wronged.
Muslims had won a victory at Badr, though they were not even well-equipped and had made no preparation for the war. But they are told that they must in future keep themselves well prepared and avail themselves of all sources of strength, so that the enemy should by their very preparedness assume a peaceful attitude. It was evident that the weakness of the Muslims was a temptation for their opponents to attack them.
8:61
وَ اِنۡ جَنَحُوۡا لِلسَّلۡمِ فَاجۡنَحۡ لَہَا وَ تَوَکَّلۡ عَلَی اللّٰہِ ؕ اِنَّہٗ ہُوَ السَّمِیۡعُ الۡعَلِیۡمُ ﴿۶۱﴾
And if they incline to peace, you (must) incline to it also, and trust in Allah. Surely He is the Hearer, the Knower.
8:62
وَ اِنۡ یُّرِیۡدُوۡۤا اَنۡ یَّخۡدَعُوۡکَ فَاِنَّ حَسۡبَکَ اللّٰہُ ؕ ہُوَ الَّذِیۡۤ اَیَّدَکَ بِنَصۡرِہٖ وَ بِالۡمُؤۡمِنِیۡنَ ﴿ۙ۶۲﴾
And if they intend to deceive you, then surely Allah is sufficient for you. He it is Who strengthened you with His help and with the believers,
The deceit is in relation to what has been said in the previous verse, the meaning being that if they intend to deceive you under the cloak of peace, even in such a case peace is to be accepted.
8:63
وَ اَلَّفَ بَیۡنَ قُلُوۡبِہِمۡ ؕ لَوۡ اَنۡفَقۡتَ مَا فِی الۡاَرۡضِ جَمِیۡعًا مَّاۤ اَلَّفۡتَ بَیۡنَ قُلُوۡبِہِمۡ وَ لٰکِنَّ اللّٰہَ اَلَّفَ بَیۡنَہُمۡ ؕ اِنَّہٗ عَزِیۡزٌ حَکِیۡمٌ ﴿۶۳﴾
and He has united their hearts. If you had spent all that is in the earth, you could not have united their hearts, but Allah united them. Surely He is Mighty, Wise.
8:64
یٰۤاَیُّہَا النَّبِیُّ حَسۡبُکَ اللّٰہُ وَ مَنِ اتَّبَعَکَ مِنَ الۡمُؤۡمِنِیۡنَ ﴿٪۶۴﴾
O Prophet, Allah is sufficient for you and those who follow you from the believers.
Section 9 (Verses 8:65–8:69): Muslims to meet Overwhelming Numbers
8:65
یٰۤاَیُّہَا النَّبِیُّ حَرِّضِ الۡمُؤۡمِنِیۡنَ عَلَی الۡقِتَالِ ؕ اِنۡ یَّکُنۡ مِّنۡکُمۡ عِشۡرُوۡنَ صٰبِرُوۡنَ یَغۡلِبُوۡا مِائَتَیۡنِ ۚ وَ اِنۡ یَّکُنۡ مِّنۡکُمۡ مِّائَۃٌ یَّغۡلِبُوۡۤا اَلۡفًا مِّنَ الَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوۡا بِاَنَّہُمۡ قَوۡمٌ لَّا یَفۡقَہُوۡنَ ﴿۶۵﴾
O Prophet, urge the believers to fight. If there are of you twenty steadfast, they shall overcome two hundred; and if there are of you a hundred, they shall overcome a thousand of those who disbelieve, because they are a people who do not understand.
It should be noted that the war to which Muslims were to be urged was the defensive war which they had to fight to save themselves and to protect the religion of Islam. The sword had been taken up against them; see 2:190, 2:217, 22:39, etc.
8:66
اَلۡـٰٔنَ خَفَّفَ اللّٰہُ عَنۡکُمۡ وَ عَلِمَ اَنَّ فِیۡکُمۡ ضَعۡفًا ؕ فَاِنۡ یَّکُنۡ مِّنۡکُمۡ مِّائَۃٌ صَابِرَۃٌ یَّغۡلِبُوۡا مِائَتَیۡنِ ۚ وَ اِنۡ یَّکُنۡ مِّنۡکُمۡ اَلۡفٌ یَّغۡلِبُوۡۤا اَلۡفَیۡنِ بِاِذۡنِ اللّٰہِ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ مَعَ الصّٰبِرِیۡنَ ﴿۶۶﴾
Now Allah has lightened your burden and He knows that there is weakness in you. So if there are of you a hundred steadfast, they shall overcome two hundred; and if there are of you a thousand, they shall overcome two thousand by Allah’s permission. And Allah is with the steadfast.
The statements in verses 65 and 66 relate to two different states of the Muslims. At the time of the battle of Badr there was no Muslim army in existence. They had very few arms, and they had never been trained. This is referred to in the words: He knows that there is weakness in you. So the Muslim forces as then constituted could at most be a match for double their numbers. But a time did come when they were a match for ten times their numbers. So both the statements in the Quran proved true.
8:67
مَا کَانَ لِنَبِیٍّ اَنۡ یَّکُوۡنَ لَہٗۤ اَسۡرٰی حَتّٰی یُثۡخِنَ فِی الۡاَرۡضِ ؕ تُرِیۡدُوۡنَ عَرَضَ الدُّنۡیَا ٭ۖ وَ اللّٰہُ یُرِیۡدُ الۡاٰخِرَۃَ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ عَزِیۡزٌ حَکِیۡمٌ ﴿۶۷﴾
It is not fit for a prophet to take captives unless he has fought and triumphed in the land. You desire the frail goods of this world, while Allah desires (for you) the Hereafter. And Allah is Mighty, Wise.
The commentators are of opinion that this verse and the next refer to releasing the prisoners of war taken at Badr after taking ransom from them, which act, it is said, is here disapproved. But various considerations show that these verses refer to some other incidents. The reference is to the desire — not to an action already completed — of a party of the Muslims referred to in v. 7, and you loved that the one not armed should be yours. Some Muslims desired to attack and capture the unarmed caravan, but depredations like these, though committed by disbelievers upon Muslims, were not fit for a prophet. He must fight a hard fight in his defence first and then, if he overcomes the enemy, he may take prisoners. Thus this injunction also declares slavery to be illegal, and allows only the retaining of those who are taken prisoners in war. The frail goods of this world appropriately refer to the caravan and its merchandise, while the addition of the concluding words in v. 69, eat then of the lawful and good things which you have acquired in war, shows that the ransom received on account of the prisoners is among the lawful and good things.
8:68
لَوۡ لَا کِتٰبٌ مِّنَ اللّٰہِ سَبَقَ لَمَسَّکُمۡ فِیۡمَاۤ اَخَذۡتُمۡ عَذَابٌ عَظِیۡمٌ ﴿۶۸﴾
If an ordinance from Allah had not gone before, surely a great punishment would have befallen you for what you were going to do.
That ordinance from Allah was to bring about an encounter with the main army of the Quraish at Badr. It is referred to in v. 7 and v. 42.
8:69
فَکُلُوۡا مِمَّا غَنِمۡتُمۡ حَلٰلًا طَیِّبًا ۫ۖ وَّ اتَّقُوا اللّٰہَ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ غَفُوۡرٌ رَّحِیۡمٌ ﴿٪۶۹﴾
Eat then of the lawful and good (things) which you have acquired in war, and keep your duty to Allah. Surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
Section 10 (Verses 8:70–8:75): Relations of Muslim State with Others
8:70
یٰۤاَیُّہَا النَّبِیُّ قُلۡ لِّمَنۡ فِیۡۤ اَیۡدِیۡکُمۡ مِّنَ الۡاَسۡرٰۤی ۙ اِنۡ یَّعۡلَمِ اللّٰہُ فِیۡ قُلُوۡبِکُمۡ خَیۡرًا یُّؤۡتِکُمۡ خَیۡرًا مِّمَّاۤ اُخِذَ مِنۡکُمۡ وَ یَغۡفِرۡ لَکُمۡ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ غَفُوۡرٌ رَّحِیۡمٌ ﴿۷۰﴾
O Prophet, say to those of the captives who are in your hands: If Allah knows anything good in your hearts, He will give you better than what has been taken from you, and will forgive you. And Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
8:71
وَ اِنۡ یُّرِیۡدُوۡا خِیَانَتَکَ فَقَدۡ خَانُوا اللّٰہَ مِنۡ قَبۡلُ فَاَمۡکَنَ مِنۡہُمۡ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ عَلِیۡمٌ حَکِیۡمٌ ﴿۷۱﴾
And if they intend to be treacherous to you, so indeed they have been treacherous to Allah before, but He gave (you) mastery over them. And Allah is Knowing, Wise.
8:72
اِنَّ الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا وَ ہَاجَرُوۡا وَ جٰہَدُوۡا بِاَمۡوَالِہِمۡ وَ اَنۡفُسِہِمۡ فِیۡ سَبِیۡلِ اللّٰہِ وَ الَّذِیۡنَ اٰوَوۡا وَّ نَصَرُوۡۤا اُولٰٓئِکَ بَعۡضُہُمۡ اَوۡلِیَآءُ بَعۡضٍ ؕ وَ الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا وَ لَمۡ یُہَاجِرُوۡا مَا لَکُمۡ مِّنۡ وَّلَایَتِہِمۡ مِّنۡ شَیۡءٍ حَتّٰی یُہَاجِرُوۡا ۚ وَ اِنِ اسۡتَنۡصَرُوۡکُمۡ فِی الدِّیۡنِ فَعَلَیۡکُمُ النَّصۡرُ اِلَّا عَلٰی قَوۡمٍۭ بَیۡنَکُمۡ وَ بَیۡنَہُمۡ مِّیۡثَاقٌ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُوۡنَ بَصِیۡرٌ ﴿۷۲﴾
Surely those who believed and fled (their homes) and struggled hard in Allah’s way with their wealth and their lives, and those who gave shelter and helped — these are friends of one another. And those who believed and did not flee, you are not responsible for their protection until they flee. And if they seek help from you in the matter of religion, it is your duty to help (them) except against a people between whom and you there is a treaty. And Allah is Seer of what you do.
Those who believed, and, having been persecuted, fled from their homes, i.e. the Muhājirīn, formed a community at Madinah along with those who gave them shelter and helped them, i.e. the Anṣār. But there were those who chose to remain in their homes. The Muslim community at Madinah could not undertake to guard the interests of such persons, and this is what is meant by saying, you are not responsible for their protection. But if they seek help in the matter of religion, it is incumbent on the Muslim community to give them help, unless there exists a treaty of alliance with the people against whom such help is sought.
8:73
وَ الَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوۡا بَعۡضُہُمۡ اَوۡلِیَآءُ بَعۡضٍ ؕ اِلَّا تَفۡعَلُوۡہُ تَکُنۡ فِتۡنَۃٌ فِی الۡاَرۡضِ وَ فَسَادٌ کَبِیۡرٌ ﴿ؕ۷۳﴾
And those who disbelieve are friends of one another. If you do not do it, there will be persecution in the land and great mischief.
If you do not help your brethren in the matter of religion, the disbelievers will become more daring in their persecutions and in causing mischief and disorder in the land.
8:74
وَ الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا وَ ہَاجَرُوۡا وَ جٰہَدُوۡا فِیۡ سَبِیۡلِ اللّٰہِ وَ الَّذِیۡنَ اٰوَوۡا وَّ نَصَرُوۡۤا اُولٰٓئِکَ ہُمُ الۡمُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ حَقًّا ؕ لَہُمۡ مَّغۡفِرَۃٌ وَّ رِزۡقٌ کَرِیۡمٌ ﴿۷۴﴾
And those who believed and fled and struggled hard in Allah’s way, and those who gave shelter and helped — these are the believers truly. For them is forgiveness and an honourable provision.
8:75
وَ الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا مِنۡۢ بَعۡدُ وَ ہَاجَرُوۡا وَ جٰہَدُوۡا مَعَکُمۡ فَاُولٰٓئِکَ مِنۡکُمۡ ؕ وَ اُولُوا الۡاَرۡحَامِ بَعۡضُہُمۡ اَوۡلٰی بِبَعۡضٍ فِیۡ کِتٰبِ اللّٰہِ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ بِکُلِّ شَیۡءٍ عَلِیۡمٌ ﴿٪۷۵﴾
And those who believed afterwards and fled and struggled hard along with you, they are of you. And the relatives are nearer to one another in the ordinance of Allah. Surely Allah is Knower of all things.
When even strangers who have accepted Islam and fled from their homes become “of you”, those who have in addition ties of relationship, possess every title to have their interests guarded by the Muslim community.