In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
A summary of the Tafsir of al-Tabari.
Abridged by Dr. ‘Aqil ibn Salim al-Shammar.
Surah al-Anfal.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
And know that whatever spoils you take,
A fifth of it belongs to Allah,
A fifth of it belongs to Allah,
And to the Messenger, and to the near of kin,
And the orphans,
And the needy,
And the wayfarer,
If you have believed in Allah.
“And know that whatever ye take as spoils of war, lo! a fifth thereof is for Allah, and for the messenger and for the kinsman (who hath need) and orphans and the needy and the wayfarer, if ye believe in Allah and that which We revealed unto Our slave on the Day of Discrimination, the day when the two armies met. And Allah is Able to do all things.” (8:41)
The Day of the Criterion,
The day the two armies met.
And Allah is over all things competent.
Know, O believers,
That whatever spoils of war you acquire,
A fifth belongs to the Messenger.
He designated the share of Allah
And the share of the Messenger as one,
Due to their consensus that the fifth
May not be divided into six shares.
The fifth that belongs to Allah and His Messenger
Is divided into five portions:
One fifth for Allah and the Messenger,
To be used as He wills.
One fifth for the near of kin,
Specifically the Banu Hashim and the Banu al-Muttalib.
One fifth for the orphans whose fathers have perished.
One fifth for the destitute among the Muslims.
One fifth for the traveler who has been cut off from his journey.
If you have affirmed the oneness of Allah,
And what Allah revealed to His servant Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him,
On the day He distinguished truth from falsehood at Badr,
The day the gathering of the believers and the gathering of the polytheists met.
And Allah is capable of destroying the people of disbelief,
And whatever else He wills.
Nothing He intends is beyond His power.
“When ye were on the near bank (of the valley) and they were on the yonder bank, and the caravan was below you (on the coast plain). And had ye trysted to meet one another ye surely would have failed to keep the tryst, but (it happened, as it did, without the forethought of either of you) that Allah might conclude a thing that must be done; that he who perished (on that day) might perish by a clear proof (of His Sovereignty) and he who survived might survive by a clear proof (of His Sovereignty). Lo! Allah in truth is Hearer, Knower.” (8:42)
While they were on the farther side of the valley,
And the caravan was below you.
“When ye were on the near bank (of the valley) and they were on the yonder bank, and the caravan was below you (on the coast plain). And had ye trysted to meet one another ye surely would have failed to keep the tryst, but (it happened, as it did, without the forethought of either of you) that Allah might conclude a thing that must be done; that he who perished (on that day) might perish by a clear proof (of His Sovereignty) and he who survived might survive by a clear proof (of His Sovereignty). Lo! Allah in truth is Hearer, Knower.” (8:42)
“When ye were on the near bank (of the valley) and they were on the yonder bank, and the caravan was below you (on the coast plain). And had ye trysted to meet one another ye surely would have failed to keep the tryst, but (it happened, as it did, without the forethought of either of you) that Allah might conclude a thing that must be done; that he who perished (on that day) might perish by a clear proof (of His Sovereignty) and he who survived might survive by a clear proof (of His Sovereignty). Lo! Allah in truth is Hearer, Knower.” (8:42)
So that those who perished might perish upon clear evidence,
And those who lived might live upon clear evidence.
“When ye were on the near bank (of the valley) and they were on the yonder bank, and the caravan was below you (on the coast plain). And had ye trysted to meet one another ye surely would have failed to keep the tryst, but (it happened, as it did, without the forethought of either of you) that Allah might conclude a thing that must be done; that he who perished (on that day) might perish by a clear proof (of His Sovereignty) and he who survived might survive by a clear proof (of His Sovereignty). Lo! Allah in truth is Hearer, Knower.” (8:42)
When He distinguished between truth and falsehood.
When you were then on the near side of the valley toward Medina,
And your enemy, the polytheists,
Had descended to the farther side toward Mecca,
And the caravan, in which were Abu Sufyan and his companions,
Was in a place below you, toward the seashore.
Had you agreed upon a meeting time between you and them,
You would have differed regarding the appointment,
Due to the large number of your enemy and your own small number.
But Allah brought you together without a prior appointment between you,
So that Allah might accomplish a matter already ordained,
Which is His granting victory to His allies among the believers,
So that those who died among His creation might die upon a proof from Allah,
Which had been established for them, leaving them no excuse.
And that those who lived among them might live upon a proof from Allah,
Which had been established for them, so they knew it.
And indeed, Allah, O believers,
Is Hearing of your speech and the speech of others,
Knowing what your souls conceal and all other states.
“When Allah showed them unto thee (O Muhammad) in thy dream as few in number, and if He had shown them to thee as many, ye (Muslims) would have faltered and would have quarrelled over the affair. But Allah saved (you). Lo! He knoweth what is in the breasts (of men).” (8:43)
“When Allah showed them unto thee (O Muhammad) in thy dream as few in number, and if He had shown them to thee as many, ye (Muslims) would have faltered and would have quarrelled over the affair. But Allah saved (you). Lo! He knoweth what is in the breasts (of men).” (8:43)
And you would have disputed the matter,
But Allah saved you.
Indeed, He is Knowing of what is within the breasts.
And indeed, Allah, O Muhammad, is Hearing of what your companions say,
Knowing what they conceal.
When Allah showed you your enemy and theirs in your dream as few,
And you informed them of that,
Until their hearts were strengthened and they grew bold to fight their enemy.
Had your Lord shown you your enemy and theirs as many,
Your companions would have faltered and would not have been able to fight the people,
And they would have disputed over it.
But Allah saved them from that.
Indeed, He is Knowing of what the breasts conceal.
And when He showed them to you, when you met, as few in your eyes,
And made you appear few in their eyes,
So that Allah might accomplish a matter already ordained.
And to Allah all matters are returned.
And when Allah showed the believers to them,
When they met, as few in their eyes,
Even though they were many in number,
And made the believers appear few in their eyes,
So that they would abandon preparations against them,
And their power would seem insignificant to the believers,
Until Allah decides between you what He has decreed of fighting one another,
And your triumph, O believers, over your enemies,
So that the word of Allah might be the highest,
And the word of those who disbelieved the lowest.
That is a matter Allah was to perform and bring to pass.
And to Allah is the final destination of all matters in the Hereafter.
O you who have believed, when you encounter a force, stand firm,
And remember Allah much that you may succeed.
O you who have believed in Allah and His Messenger,
When you encounter a group of the people of disbelief,
Stand firm to fight them and do not flee from them.
And call upon Allah for victory over them and triumph.
And let your hearts and tongues be mindful of His remembrance so that you may succeed and overcome your enemy.
“And obey Allah and His messenger, and dispute not one with another lest ye falter and your strength depart from you; but be steadfast! Lo! Allah is with the steadfast.” (8:46)
“And obey Allah and His messenger, and dispute not one with another lest ye falter and your strength depart from you; but be steadfast! Lo! Allah is with the steadfast.” (8:46)
And obey, O believers, your Lord and His Messenger in what He has commanded you and forbidden you.
And do not dispute, lest you falter, become cowardly, lose your strength and power, and be overcome by weakness.
And be patient with the Prophet of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, when you meet your enemy, for I am with you.
“Be not as those who came forth from their dwellings boastfully and to be seen of men, and debar (men) from the way of Allah, while Allah is surrounding all they do.” (8:47)
“Be not as those who came forth from their dwellings boastfully and to be seen of men, and debar (men) from the way of Allah, while Allah is surrounding all they do.” (8:47)
“Be not as those who came forth from their dwellings boastfully and to be seen of men, and debar (men) from the way of Allah, while Allah is surrounding all they do.” (8:47)
And do not be, O believers, in your deeds like the army of those who disbelieve in Allah,
Who left their homes out of arrogance and to be seen by people, with their finery, wealth, and large numbers,
And they hinder people from the religion of Allah.
And Allah is encompassing of what they do of showing off, hindering from the path of Allah, and other such actions.
He has knowledge of all of that, and He will punish them for it and torment them for it.
“And when Satan made their deeds seem fair to them and said: No-one of mankind can conquer you this day, for I am your protector. But when the armies came in sight of one another, he took flight, saying: Lo! I am guiltless of you. Lo! I see that which ye see not. Lo! I fear Allah. And Allah is severe in punishment.” (8:48)
And I am a protector for you.
“And when Satan made their deeds seem fair to them and said: No-one of mankind can conquer you this day, for I am your protector. But when the armies came in sight of one another, he took flight, saying: Lo! I am guiltless of you. Lo! I see that which ye see not. Lo! I fear Allah. And Allah is severe in punishment.” (8:48)
“And when Satan made their deeds seem fair to them and said: No-one of mankind can conquer you this day, for I am your protector. But when the armies came in sight of one another, he took flight, saying: Lo! I am guiltless of you. Lo! I see that which ye see not. Lo! I fear Allah. And Allah is severe in punishment.” (8:48)
And when Satan made their departure to you, O believers, to fight you seem fair to them,
And he beautified it for them and said to them, "No one can overcome you today from among mankind, so be reassured and rejoice."
"And I am a protector for you from Kinana, that they might come upon you from behind, so I will protect you and defend you against them."
But when the soldiers of Allah among the believers and the soldiers of Satan among the polytheists drew near,
He retreated on his heels, fleeing, and said to the polytheists, "I am disassociated from you."
"I see what you do not see of the angels whom Allah has sent as reinforcements for the believers."
"I fear the punishment of Allah, and Allah is severe in punishment."
“When the hypocrites and those in whose hearts is a disease said: Their religion hath deluded these. Whoso putteth his trust in Allah (will find that) lo! Allah is Mighty, Wise.” (8:49)
“When the hypocrites and those in whose hearts is a disease said: Their religion hath deluded these. Whoso putteth his trust in Allah (will find that) lo! Allah is Mighty, Wise.” (8:49)
And when the hypocrites and those in whose hearts is doubt regarding Islam, whose certainty was not sound, said,
And whose breasts were not opened to faith,
"The religion of Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him—which is Islam—has deluded his companions."
But whoever entrusts his affair to Allah, then Allah is his protector and helper,
Because He is Exalted in Might, whom nothing can overcome, and Wise in what He manages of the affairs of His creation.
“If thou couldst see how the angels receive those who disbelieve, smiting faces and their backs and (saying): Taste the punishment of burning!” (8:50)
If you could see, O Muhammad, when the angels take the souls of the disbelievers,
Striking their faces and their backs, and saying to them,
"Taste the punishment of the Fire that will burn you on the day you enter Hell."
This punishment is for you because of what your hands have earned of sins and burdens.
And the punishment is also yours because Allah does not punish any of His creation except for a crime they have committed,
And He does not torment them except for their disobedience to Him, for injustice cannot proceed from Him.
“(Their way is) as the way of Pharaoh's folk and those before them; they disbelieved the revelations of Allah, and Allah took them in their sins. Lo! Allah is Strong, severe in punishment.” (8:52)
“(Their way is) as the way of Pharaoh's folk and those before them; they disbelieved the revelations of Allah, and Allah took them in their sins. Lo! Allah is Strong, severe in punishment.” (8:52)
These polytheists of Quraysh who were killed at Badr acted like the people of Pharaoh and their conduct,
And the conduct of those who denied the proofs of Allah and His messengers from the nations that passed away before them.
So We dealt with them as We dealt with those.
Allah punished them for their denial and their disobedience to their Lord.
Indeed, Allah is Strong; no one can overcome Him.
Severe in punishment for whoever disbelieves in His signs.
“That is because Allah never changeth the grace He hath bestowed on any people until they first change that which is in their hearts, and (that is) because Allah is Hearer, Knower.” (8:53)
And We seized those who disbelieved in Our signs among the polytheists of Quraysh at Badr for their sins,
Because they altered what Allah had bestowed upon them,
By sending His Messenger from among them and in their midst.
So We altered Our favor toward them by destroying them.
And indeed, Allah is Hearing; nothing of the speech of His creation is hidden from Him.
Knowing what their breasts conceal.
And He is their recompenser and will reward them for what they say and do.
“(Their way is) as the way of Pharaoh's folk and those before them; they denied the revelations of their Lord, so We destroyed them in their sins. And We drowned the folk of Pharaoh. All were evil-doers.” (8:54)
And all of them were wrongdoers.
These polytheists who disbelieved in Allah and were killed at Badr
Denied the favor of their Lord by His sending Muhammad from among them,
Just like the custom of the family of Pharaoh and their habit and their action toward Moses, the Prophet of Allah, in their denial of him,
And the custom of those before them among the nations who denied.
So We destroyed them for their sins and drowned the family of Pharaoh in the sea.
And all of these nations
Were doing what they should not have done, by denying the Messenger of Allah and rejecting His signs.
“Those of them with whom thou madest a treaty, and then at every opportunity they break their treaty, and they keep not duty (to Allah).” (8:56)
“Those of them with whom thou madest a treaty, and then at every opportunity they break their treaty, and they keep not duty (to Allah).” (8:56)
Those with whom you made treaties and covenants that they would not fight you,
Nor support anyone fighting against you,
Like the Banu Qurayza and their likes.
Then they break their treaties and covenants every time you make a treaty and covenant with them,
And they do not fear Allah,
Nor do they fear in their doing so
That a disaster might befall them that would sweep them away and destroy them.
“If thou comest on them in the war, deal with them so as to strike fear in those who are behind them, that haply they may remember.” (8:57)
So if you encounter them in war, those who have broken your treaty,
Then deal with them in a way that will disperse those behind them among their likes,
From those with whom you have a treaty and contract,
So that they may take a lesson from what you have done,
And fear breaking the treaty that is between you and them.
“And if thou fearest treachery from any folk, then throw back to them (their treaty) fairly. Lo! Allah loveth not the treacherous.” (8:58)
“And if thou fearest treachery from any folk, then throw back to them (their treaty) fairly. Lo! Allah loveth not the treacherous.” (8:58)
“And if thou fearest treachery from any folk, then throw back to them (their treaty) fairly. Lo! Allah loveth not the treacherous.” (8:58)
And if you fear, O Muhammad, from an enemy of yours,
With whom you have a treaty and contract,
That he will betray his treaty,
Then confront them with war.
And inform them before you fight them
That you have annulled the treaty between you and them,
So that you and they may be on equal terms in knowledge,
That you are at war with them.
Indeed, Allah does not like the treacherous,
Those who are under a pledge of safety and a treaty,
To betray them and fight them before informing them
That you have annulled the contract.
They cannot escape.
And do not think, O Muhammad, that those who disbelieved
Have outstripped Us and escaped Us by their own selves.
These disbelievers cannot escape their Lord
When He seeks them and intends to punish them.
“Make ready for them all thou canst of (armed) force and of horses tethered, that thereby ye may dismay the enemy of Allah and your enemy, and others beside them whom ye know not. Allah knoweth them. Whatsoever ye spend in the way of Allah it will be repaid to you in full, and ye will not be wronged.” (8:60)
“Make ready for them all thou canst of (armed) force and of horses tethered, that thereby ye may dismay the enemy of Allah and your enemy, and others beside them whom ye know not. Allah knoweth them. Whatsoever ye spend in the way of Allah it will be repaid to you in full, and ye will not be wronged.” (8:60)
“Make ready for them all thou canst of (armed) force and of horses tethered, that thereby ye may dismay the enemy of Allah and your enemy, and others beside them whom ye know not. Allah knoweth them. Whatsoever ye spend in the way of Allah it will be repaid to you in full, and ye will not be wronged.” (8:60)
“Make ready for them all thou canst of (armed) force and of horses tethered, that thereby ye may dismay the enemy of Allah and your enemy, and others beside them whom ye know not. Allah knoweth them. Whatsoever ye spend in the way of Allah it will be repaid to you in full, and ye will not be wronged.” (8:60)
“Make ready for them all thou canst of (armed) force and of horses tethered, that thereby ye may dismay the enemy of Allah and your enemy, and others beside them whom ye know not. Allah knoweth them. Whatsoever ye spend in the way of Allah it will be repaid to you in full, and ye will not be wronged.” (8:60)
Allah knows them.
“Make ready for them all thou canst of (armed) force and of horses tethered, that thereby ye may dismay the enemy of Allah and your enemy, and others beside them whom ye know not. Allah knoweth them. Whatsoever ye spend in the way of Allah it will be repaid to you in full, and ye will not be wronged.” (8:60)
It will be repaid to you, and you will not be wronged.
And prepare for those who disbelieved in their Lord,
O believers,
Whatever you are able to prepare for them,
Of the equipment that will be a strength for you against them,
Of weapons and horses.
You frighten by your preparation of that
The enemy of Allah and your enemy among the polytheists,
And you terrify by that another kind besides mankind,
Which are the jinn.
You do not know their places and their states,
But Allah knows them besides you.
And whatever you spend, O believers, of expenditure,
In purchasing war equipment or otherwise,
Of expenditures in the jihad against the enemies of Allah,
Allah will compensate you for it in this world,
And will store for you your rewards for that on the Day of Resurrection.
Your Lord will do that for you,
So He will not cause your rewards for it to be lost.