Explore Surah Al-Anfal (The Spoils of War), Chapter 8 of the Holy Quran, with Arabic text, English translation, introduction, and commentary highlighting its lessons on faith, unity, and struggle in the path of Allah.
Surah 8: Al-Anfal (The Spoils of War)
Introduction
Surah Al-Anfal, meaning “The Spoils of War,” is the eighth chapter of the Qur’an and was revealed in Madinah shortly after the Battle of Badr. This was the first and most significant military victory for the early Muslim community. The surah is named after the question the believers asked the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) about the distribution of war gains. It responds by clarifying that all spoils belong to Allah and His Messenger, and must be distributed justly, in accordance with divine guidance. However, the surah quickly shifts its focus from material concerns to spiritual and moral teachings, emphasizing that true believers are those whose hearts tremble when Allah is mentioned, who observe prayer, and who rely fully on Him.
The surah provides a deep reflection on the meaning of faith, unity, and divine support. It explains that victory in battle is not the result of numbers or military power, but rather the outcome of Allah’s will and support for those who are patient and obedient. Through references to the events of Badr, it reminds the believers how Allah aided them with angels and created favorable circumstances for their success, despite their lack of preparation. The surah also offers guidance on how to handle conflict and war: encouraging believers to be firm, disciplined, and just, while forbidding betrayal, fear, or division.
Surah Al-Anfal also addresses how Muslims should deal with enemies, treaties, prisoners of war, and internal hypocrisy. It highlights that trust in Allah and collective responsibility are essential for maintaining a strong and righteous community. The surah warns of the consequences of betrayal and reminds the believers of the fate of previous nations who rejected their prophets, especially the people of Pharaoh. These stories are not just historical references but lessons to strengthen the believers’ hearts and warn against repeating the same mistakes.
Ultimately, Surah Al-Anfal is a powerful reminder that struggles in life, whether on the battlefield or in everyday challenges, are tests of faith and obedience. It encourages the Muslim community to remain united, just, and always conscious of Allah’s guidance, reinforcing that every victory and every blessing is from Him alone.
Surah 8: Al-Anfal (The Spoils of War): Text
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Merciful.
1. They ask you about the spoils of war. Say, “The spoils belong to Allah and the Messenger. So be mindful of Allah, fix what is between you, and obey Allah and His Messenger, if you truly believe.”
2. True believers are those whose hearts tremble when Allah is mentioned, whose faith grows stronger when His verses are recited to them, and who put their full trust in their Lord.
3. They are those who perform prayers regularly and give from what We have provided them.
4. These are the real believers. For them are high ranks with their Lord, forgiveness, and an honorable reward.
5. Just as your Lord brought you out from your home with the truth, even though some of the believers disliked it.
6. They argued with you about the truth after it had become clear, as if they were being driven toward death with their eyes wide open.
7. And remember when Allah promised you that one of the two groups would be yours (either the caravan or the army), and you wished for the unarmed group to be yours. But Allah wanted to establish the truth by His words and cut off the roots of the disbelievers.
8. So that He may prove the truth to be true and falsehood to be false, even if the criminals dislike it.
9. Remember when you were pleading to your Lord for help, and He answered you: “I will help you with a thousand angels coming one after another.”
10. Allah made this good news only to reassure your hearts. Victory comes only from Allah. Indeed, Allah is Mighty and Wise.
11. Remember when He caused drowsiness to come over you as a comfort from Him, and He sent down rain from the sky to purify you, remove Satan’s whispers from you, strengthen your hearts, and make your steps firm.
12. When your Lord revealed to the angels, “I am with you, so strengthen the believers. I will put fear into the hearts of the disbelievers. So strike them on the necks and strike all their fingertips.”
13. That is because they opposed Allah and His Messenger. And whoever opposes Allah and His Messenger—then indeed Allah is severe in punishment.
14. This is (the punishment), so taste it. And for the disbelievers, there is the punishment of the Fire.
15. O you who believe! When you face the disbelievers in battle, do not turn your backs and run away.
16. Whoever turns his back that day—unless it is for maneuvering or joining another group—will earn the anger of Allah. His home will be Hell—a terrible place to end up!
17. You did not kill them, but Allah killed them. And you did not throw when you threw (dust), but it was Allah who threw, so He might test the believers with a good test. Surely, Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.
18. That was the case, and Allah weakens the plans of the disbelievers.
19. If you (disbelievers) were seeking a decision (through battle), then a decision has come to you. If you stop now, it is better for you. But if you return (to battle), We will return (with support). And your forces, even if many, will not benefit you at all, for Allah is with the believers.
20. O you who believe! Obey Allah and His Messenger, and do not turn away from him while you hear.
21. And do not be like those who say, “We hear,” but they do not really listen.
22. Indeed, the worst of all creatures in Allah’s sight are those who are deaf and dumb and do not use their minds.
23. If Allah had known any good in them, He would have made them listen. But even if He made them hear, they would still turn away in denial.
24. O you who believe! Respond to Allah and the Messenger when he calls you to what gives you life. And know that Allah comes between a person and his heart, and that to Him you will be gathered.
25. Be careful of a trial that won’t only affect the wrongdoers among you. And know that Allah is severe in punishment.
26. And remember when you were few and weak in the land, afraid that people might attack you. Then He gave you shelter, strengthened you with His help, and provided you with good things, so that you might be thankful.
27. O you who believe! Do not betray Allah and the Messenger, nor betray your trusts while you know it.
28. And know that your wealth and your children are only a test, and that with Allah is a great reward.
29. O you who believe! If you remain mindful of Allah, He will give you a standard (to judge right from wrong), remove your sins, and forgive you. And Allah is the Possessor of great bounty.
30. And remember when the disbelievers were plotting against you to either imprison you, kill you, or drive you out. They planned, but Allah also planned—and Allah is the Best of Planners.
31. When Our verses are recited to them, they say, “We’ve heard this before. If we wanted, we could say things like this. These are just stories of the past.”
32. They also said, “O Allah! If this really is the truth from You, then rain down stones from the sky on us, or bring us a painful punishment.”
33. But Allah would not punish them while you (O Prophet) are among them, and He would not punish them while they are still asking for forgiveness.
34. But what is stopping Allah from punishing them now, when they stop people from the Sacred Mosque and are not its rightful caretakers? Only those who are mindful of Allah can rightfully care for it. But most of them do not understand.
35. Their prayer at the House (the Kaaba) was nothing but whistling and clapping. So taste the punishment for what you used to deny.
36. Those who disbelieve spend their wealth to stop others from the way of Allah. They will continue spending, but in the end, it will become a regret for them, and then they will be defeated. The disbelievers will be gathered to Hell.
37. So that Allah may separate the evil from the good, pile the evil ones together, stack them up, and throw them all into Hell. They are the true losers.
38. Tell the disbelievers: If they stop (their hostility), what is past will be forgiven. But if they return (to fight), then the examples of earlier nations are already known.
39. Keep fighting them until there is no more oppression, and religion belongs entirely to Allah. But if they stop, then surely Allah sees all that they do.
40. And if they turn away, then know that Allah is your Protector. What a great Protector and what a great Helper!
41. And know that whatever you gain as spoils of war, one-fifth of it belongs to Allah, the Messenger, his relatives, the orphans, the needy, and the traveler—if you believe in Allah and in what We sent down to Our servant on the Day of Criterion, the day the two armies met (at Badr). And Allah is capable of everything.
42. Remember when you were on the near side of the valley, and they were on the far side, and the caravan was below you. If you had planned to meet in battle, you would not have arranged it like this. But Allah made it happen so that His decree would be fulfilled, and so those who would perish would perish with proof, and those who would live would live with proof. Truly, Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.
43. Allah showed them to you (O Prophet) in your dream as few in number. If He had shown them to you as many, you (believers) might have lost courage and disagreed about the matter. But Allah saved you. Surely, He knows what is in the hearts.
44. And when you met them in battle, He made them appear few in your eyes, and made you appear few in theirs, so that Allah’s plan would be carried out. Everything returns to Allah.
45. O you who believe! When you meet a group (of enemies), stand firm and remember Allah often, so that you may succeed.
46. And obey Allah and His Messenger, and do not argue with one another, or you will lose courage and your strength will go. Be patient. Surely, Allah is with those who are patient.
47. And do not be like those who came out of their homes boastfully, trying to show off to people and turning others away from the path of Allah. Allah is fully aware of what they do.
48. And remember when Satan made their actions look good to them and said, “No one can defeat you today, and I am with you!” But when the two armies met, he turned back and said, “I have nothing to do with you. I see what you do not see. I fear Allah, for Allah is severe in punishment.”
49. The hypocrites and those with sickness in their hearts said, “These people (Muslims) are fooled by their religion.” But whoever puts his trust in Allah—then surely Allah is Mighty, Wise.
50. If only you could see when the angels take the souls of those who disbelieved, striking their faces and backs and saying, “Taste the punishment of the burning!”
51. This is because of what your hands have done. And Allah is never unjust to His servants.
52. Their case is like the people of Pharaoh and those before them. They denied Allah’s signs, so Allah seized them for their sins. Surely, Allah is Strong and Severe in punishment.
53. That is because Allah does not change the blessings He has given a people until they change what is in themselves. And Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.
54. Just like the people of Pharaoh and those before them: they denied the signs of their Lord, so We destroyed them for their sins, and We drowned Pharaoh’s people. All of them were wrongdoers.
55. Surely, the worst of all creatures to Allah are those who disbelieve and will not believe—
56. Those with whom you made a treaty, but they break it every time and have no sense of responsibility.
57. So if you capture them in war, make an example of them for those who follow, so they may be warned.
58. And if you fear betrayal from a people, then break the treaty with them openly and fairly. Surely, Allah does not like the traitors.
59. Let not the disbelievers think that they can escape. They can never defeat Allah.
60. Prepare against them whatever force you can, including war horses, to strike fear into the hearts of Allah’s enemies and your enemies, and others whom you do not know—but Allah knows them. Whatever you spend in the way of Allah will be paid back to you in full, and you will not be wronged.
61. If they incline toward peace, then you also incline toward it and put your trust in Allah. Surely, He is the All-Hearing, All-Knowing.
62. But if they try to deceive you, then Allah is enough for you. He is the One who supported you with His help and with the believers.
63. He united their hearts. Even if you had spent everything on earth, you could not have united their hearts. But Allah united them. Indeed, He is Mighty and Wise.
64. O Prophet! Allah is enough for you and for the believers who follow you.
65. O Prophet! Encourage the believers to fight. If there are twenty of you who are steadfast, they can overcome two hundred. And if there are a hundred of you, they can overcome a thousand of those who disbelieve, because they are a people who do not understand.
66. Now Allah has lightened the burden for you, knowing that you are weaker. So if there are a hundred steadfast among you, they can overcome two hundred. And if there are a thousand, they can overcome two thousand by Allah’s permission. And Allah is with those who are patient.
67. It is not right for a prophet to take prisoners of war until he has thoroughly subdued the enemy in the land. You (people) want the gains of this world, but Allah wants the Hereafter. Allah is Almighty, All-Wise.
68. If it were not for a prior decree from Allah, you would have been punished for what you took (as ransom).
69. So enjoy what you have gained—lawfully and good—and be mindful of Allah. Surely, Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
70. O Prophet! Say to the prisoners in your hands, “If Allah knows any good in your hearts, He will give you something better than what was taken from you, and He will forgive you. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.”
71. But if they intend to betray you, they have already betrayed Allah before, and He gave you power over them. And Allah is All-Knowing, Wise.
72. Those who believed, migrated, and struggled in Allah’s cause with their wealth and lives, and those who gave them shelter and helped them—these are true allies of one another. But as for those who believed but did not emigrate, you are not responsible for protecting them until they emigrate. But if they ask for your help in faith-related matters, it is your duty to help them—except against a people with whom you have a treaty. Allah sees everything you do.
73. As for the disbelievers, they are allies of one another. If you (believers) do not act similarly, there will be chaos and great corruption on earth.
74. Those who believed, migrated, and struggled in Allah’s cause, and those who gave them shelter and support—these are the true believers. For them is forgiveness and an honorable provision.
75. Those who later believed, migrated, and struggled along with you—they are also part of you. And those with blood ties are more entitled to inherit from one another in Allah’s Book. Indeed, Allah knows all things. 0 0 0
Comment
Surah Al-Anfal is a profound and strategic chapter of the Qur’an that not only addresses the practical matters of warfare and spoils but also goes deep into the spiritual and ethical foundation of a Muslim society. It transforms the idea of battle from a physical conflict into a moral and spiritual trial. The surah teaches that victory is not determined by strength or numbers but by sincerity, unity, discipline, and complete reliance on Allah. It clearly separates the true believers—those who live with deep faith and humility—from hypocrites and those driven by greed or pride.
The surah Al-Afal also emphasizes that success in any struggle, whether on the battlefield or in life, must be guided by divine principles of justice, honesty, and responsibility. It shows how even the heat of conflict is an opportunity to grow closer to Allah, refine one’s character, and build a stronger community based on mutual support and obedience to divine law.
Overall, Surah Al-Anfal is not only a guide for Muslims during times of war but also a timeless manual for leadership, loyalty, faith, and community-building. It challenges believers to rise above material desires and act as a united force for truth and justice, under the banner of faith in Allah. 0 0 0
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Surah Al-Anfal (The Spoils of War): Additional Study
Frequently Asked Questions on Surah Al-Anfal
Q. What is Surah Al-Anfal in the Holy Quran?
Surah Al-Anfal is the 8th chapter of the Holy Quran. It was revealed in Madinah and deals with themes of warfare, justice, unity, and obedience to Allah and His Messenger.
Q. Why is Surah Al-Anfal called “The Spoils of War”?
The surah is named Al-Anfal (The Spoils of War) because it provides guidance on the distribution of war booty after the Battle of Badr.
Q. How many verses are in Surah Al-Anfal?
Surah Al-Anfal contains 75 verses and is considered a Madani surah.
Q. What is the main theme of Surah Al-Anfal?
The main theme of Surah Al-Anfal is the regulation of war, the importance of unity among Muslims, trust in Allah, and guidance on how to deal with enemies.
Q. Which battle is discussed in Surah Al-Anfal?
Surah Al-Anfal discusses the Battle of Badr, the first major confrontation between Muslims and the Quraysh of Makkah.
Q. What lessons can Muslims learn from Surah Al-Anfal?
Muslims learn about discipline, loyalty, courage, fairness in sharing spoils, and the importance of obeying Allah and His Messenger in all matters.
Q. Is Surah Al-Anfal a Makki or Madani surah?
Surah Al-Anfal is a Madani surah, revealed after the migration of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to Madinah.
Q. How does Surah Al-Anfal guide Muslims in times of conflict?
Surah Al-Anfal provides ethical and spiritual instructions on dealing with enemies, maintaining unity, avoiding betrayal, and putting trust in Allah’s support. 0 0 0
The Call of Surah Al-Anfal: Unity, Faith, and Victory
In Surah Al-Anfal, the guidance is strong,
It teaches the faithful what’s right and what’s wrong.
The spoils of war are not claimed in greed,
But shared with justice, in fairness decreed,
For Allah decides where all gifts belong.
Surah Al-Anfal recalls Badr’s day,
When believers stood firm in righteous array.
Though few in number, their hearts held fast,
Victory was given, the trial was passed,
By Allah’s support in the heat of the fray.
In Surah Al-Anfal, a lesson is found,
That unity lifts the faithful unbound.
No splitting of ranks, no quarrel or fight,
Obedience brings strength, disobedience blight,
Together in trust, the believers are crowned.
Surah Al-Anfal speaks clear and loud,
Of promises false and leaders too proud.
The Quraysh denied though truth was shown,
Their arrogance shattered, their power overthrown,
For falsehood is broken when truth is avowed.
In Surah Al-Anfal, betrayal is warned,
For treaties and oaths are never to be scorned.
The treacherous lose, their schemes come undone,
While trust in Allah brings lasting one,
The faithful are sheltered, the righteous adorned.
Surah Al-Anfal reminds of the way,
That angels descended to help on that day.
Signs of Allah gave courage inside,
Faith was the armor, and truth was the guide,
The darkness was shattered, the light made its stay.
In Surah Al-Anfal, the command is clear,
Be steadfast in struggle, hold Allah near.
Victory is not from weapons or might,
But comes from reliance on guidance so bright,
And patience in trials removes all fear.
Surah Al-Anfal calls hearts to obey,
The Prophet’s command without delay.
For strength lies not in wealth or land,
But in trust of Allah’s guiding hand,
Obedience saves on Judgment Day.
In Surah Al-Anfal, the lesson rings true,
That faith and discipline carry you through.
The world is fleeting, but Heaven remains,
For those who strive through losses and pains,
With Allah’s reward for the righteous few. 0 0 0
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