Allâh opens Sûrah Anfâl by discussing the distribution of the spoils of war. Allâh says, “The spoils of war are for Allâh and His messenger.” (i.e. Rasulullâh would distribute one-fifth of the booty among those who were deserving). Thereafter Allâh invokes man saying, “So fear Allâh, correct your mutual relations and obey Allâh and His Nabî if you are believers.” (verse 1).

Allâh then described the true Mu’minîn when He says, “The Mu’minîn are those whose hearts tremble when Allâh is mentioned, whose faith [Imân] increases when His verses are recited to them and they trust only in their Rabb. They are those who establish Salâh and spend from what We have provided for them. These are the true Mu’minîn! For them shall be ranks by their Rabb, forgiveness and bountiful sustenance.” (verses 2-4)

Allâh then mentions the assistance that He rendered to the Muslims during the Battle of Badr when He sent thousands of angels to fight with them. Allâh also cast fear into the hearts of the Kuffâr despite their overwhelming numbers. Allâh then declares that there awaits a severe punishment for those who oppose Allâh and Rasulullâh.

Thereafter, Allâh exhorts the Mu’minîn to fight in Jihâd with fervour. Allâh says, “Oh you who believe, when you meet the disbelievers in battle, do not turn your backs to them” (verse 15). Allâh says that the person who flees from the battlefield because of cowardice shall draw Allâh’s wrath upon himself. Towards the end of the Juz, Allâh says, “Fight them until no anarchy [kufr] exists and all religion (worship) is for Allâh. So if they desist (from kufr and shirk), then indeed Allâh is watchful over what they do. If they turn away, then know that Allâh is your Protecting Friend. What a terrific Friend and what a terrific Helper!’ (verses 39 and 40).

End of the ninth Juz

Beginning of tenth Juz

The tenth Juz commences with mention of booty. Allâh declares, “Know that from whatever spoils of war that you acquire, a fifth of it shall be for Allâh, His messenger, the relatives, the poor, the orphans and the travellers” (verse 41). The remaining four­-fifths will be distributed among the Mujâhidîn [the Muslim soldiers who fought in the battle].

Allâh then discusses certain details about the Battle of Badr. Allâh addresses the Mu’minîn saying, “Obey Allâh and His Nabî and do not fall into dispute with each other, for then you will become cowardly and your strength will be lost. Be patient, for verily Allâh is with the patient ones.” (verse 46)

Allâh commands the Muslims further: “Prepare against them (your enemies) whatever forces of strength you can muster...” (verse 60). In addition to amassing weapons and battle provisions, Muslims must always have conviction in Allâh’s assistance. Allâh then assures the Muslims: “Whatever you may spend in Allâh’s way will be given to you in full and you will not be oppressed.” (verse 60)

Addressing Rasulullâh Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam it, Allâh says, “Oh Nabî Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam, exhort the Mu’minîn to fight.” (verse 65). Allâh informs the Muslims that if they are righteous, resolute and trust firmly in Allâh, they will be able to vanquish an army larger than themselves.

Prisoners of war should not be captured merely with the intention of earning ransom money. Towards the end of the Sûrah, Muslims are urged to keep religious objectives in mind when migrating or when waging Jihâd. Earning the booty must never be the objective. Allâh outlines a principle of inheritance at the end of Sûrah Anfâl when He says, -Those who are relatives are closer to each other in Allâh’s Book. (verse 75)

The next Sûrah is called Sûrah Taubah because it contains mention of the Taubah that Allâh accepted from those who failed to participate in the Battle of Tabûk. It is also called Sûrah Barâ’ah because Allâh absolves Himself and Rasulullâh Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam from what the Kuffâr do (the Arabic word “Barâ’ah” means “to absolve of blame”).

This Sûrah mentions the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah which the Mushrikîn of Makkah eventually broke. Allâh declares, “Allâh and His Nabî have absolved themselves of those Mushrikîn with whom you have made a treaty.” Consequently, “The proclamation from Allâh and His Nabî (was made) on the day of the greater Hajj that verily Allâh and His Nabî are absolved of the Mushrikîn.” (verses 1 and 3)

After this declaration, all Mushrikîn were banned from entering the Harâm and from performing Tawâf naked. The Muslims are urged not to take even their closest relatives as friends if they are Kuffâr. Allâh also advises Rasulullâh Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam not to accept the lame excuses of the Munâfiqîn (hypocrites) when they are reluctant to fight in Jihâd. Their excuses are all false and the oaths that they take along with the excuses are all false. Allâh assures Rasulullâh Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam that the oaths of the sinners and Munâfiqîn are hollow and should be ignored because these people were never Muslims. Allâh warns Rasulullâh Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam that the Munâfiqîn will desert him as soon as they get the opportunity. Allâh’s curse is on the Munâfiqîn men and women because they are alike. Allâh also forbade Rasulullâh Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam from performing the janâzah [funeral] Salâh for the Munâfiqîn.

This Sûrah also details the recipients of zakâh as:

1. The poor

2. Slaves who are buying their freedom

3. The destitute

4. Those in debt

5. The collectors of zakâh

6. Those in “Allâh’s path”

7. Those who need to be inclined to Islâm and

8. Travellers.

In brief, Sûrah Taubah contains the following subject matter:

1. Certain battles and related incidents.

2. The treaties with the Mushrikîn and the declaration of exoneration from all Kuffâr and Mushrikîn.

3. Prohibition of fighting during the days of Hajj.

4. Restriction of entry into the Haram for non-Muslims.

5. The command for the Ahlul Kitâb to either accept Islâm or pay the jizya.

6. Reproaching those who were negligent in participating in Jihâd.

7. Specifying the recipients of zakâh.

8. Identifying the Munâfiqîn and the Mu’minîn.

May Allâh grant us all the Taufîq to practise on the injunctions detailed in this Sûrah. Âmîn. End of the Tenth Juz Source: Gift of Tarawîh

Audio: Qur'an Summaries by Shaykh Abu Yusuf Riyadh ul Haq Night Eight

Source: Al-Kawthar Academy