Surah Al-Anfaal: Difference between revisions

===Name of Chapter and Reason for its Name===

The many connections between the content of this chapter with the events of Badr - resulted in an alternative name for this chapter which is Surah al-Badr, according to a narration from Ibn Abbas. <ref name=":2">Ibid., Page 8</ref>

===Chapter Number===

===Number of Verses===

====Verses 1 to 6====

Anfaal is the plural of nafal which means “in addition to something,” and it is for this reason that the nafilah (recommended) prayers are named as such, because they are additional to the daily obligatory prayers. It also means “spoils of war” and “wealth that is taken from the disbelievers outside of war” - and its ownership is Allah and the Prophet. The meaning of anfaal that has come with the meaning of “wealth that is taken from the disbelievers outside of war” is public wealth without an owner, such as: the mountains, the seas, natural resources, and the wealth of a person who passed away without any inheritors. <ref name=":3" /> The first verse of this chapter starts by questioning the essence and ownership of the spoils of war: “They ask you concerning the anfaal. Say, ‘The anfaal belongs to Allah and the Apostle.’” In this verse the intended meaning of anfaal is the spoils of war. <ref name=":7">Zamakhshari, Al-Kashshaf an Haqaiq Ghawamid al-Tanzil (1986), Page 193</ref> <ref name=":4" /> <ref name=":3" /> However, the intended meaning of the spoils of war was not the spoils of war from the battle of Badr because contrary to some points of view, there was no payment that was allocated to the spoils of war at Badr. <ref name=":8">Tabatabai, Al-Mizan fi Tafsir al-Quran (1971), Page 7</ref> This verse also emphasizes on settling the differences: “So be wary of Allah and settle your differences;” and the verse further confirms the existence of the hostilities in the division of the spoils of war. It also condemns those who consider themselves to be the owners of the spoils of war. <ref name=":9">Ibn Kathir Damishqi, Tafsir al-Quran al-Azim (1998), Page 6</ref> <ref name=":10">Tabatabai, Al-Mizan fi Tafsir al-Quran (1971), Page 8</ref>

Verse 17: “You did not kill them. rather it was Allah who killed them” is telling the Muslims not to think that they killed the enemies with their own power and strength, rather it was Allah who gave them the victory over the enemies. <ref name=":14">Ibn Kathir Damishqi, Tafsir al-Quran al-Azim (1998), Page 26</ref> There is also a reference to events such as Badr and the victory of the Muslims not being a natural or normal occurrence, but rather being due to the hand of Divine guidance and strength, as well as unseen help in which something that transcends a natural phenomenon is witnessed. <ref name=":15">Tabatabai, Al-Mizan fi Tafsir al-Quran (1971), Page 38</ref>

====Verses 30 to 40====

Verse 39: “Fight them until persecution is no more,” was an order to fight against the polytheists until this belief in multiple gods is eliminated and the monotheistic religion appears. <ref name=":18">Zamakhshari, Al-Kashshaf an Haqaiq Ghawamid al-Tanzil (1986), Page 220</ref>

In verse 41 where it says: “Know that whatever thing you may come by, a fifth of it is for Allah and the Apostle” means that one-fifth, or khums on the spoils of war belongs to Allah. <ref name=":19">Ibn Kathir Damishqi, Tafsir al-Quran al-Azim (1998), Page 52</ref> <ref name=":20">Tabatabai, Al-Mizan fi Tafsir al-Quran (1971), Page 89</ref> Some people believe that the intended meaning of spoils of war is that profit which is earned from certain affairs such as business or work, or that it is referring to war because of the subject matter of this verse which talks about spoils of war. <ref name=":20" />

Verse 60 says: “Prepare against them whatever you can of [military] power and warhorses” was a command to all of the people to prepare for the preliminaries of war, and opposition to the enemies of Islam. <ref name=":21">Tabatabai, Al-Mizan fi Tafsir al-Quran (1971), Page 114</ref> <ref name=":22">Ibn Kathir Damishqi, Tafsir al-Quran al-Azim (1998), Page 71</ref>

====Verses 67 to 71====

The tradition of the previous Prophets was to kill the enemies that they captured, but the taking of captives was not from among their traditions. This acting severely with the enemies of Allah was done so that they would be on guard when thinking about attacking the believers. This topic has been referred to in verse 67: “A Prophet may not take captives until he has thoroughly decimated [the enemy] in the land.” <ref name=":23">Tabatabai, Al-Mizan fi Tafsir al-Quran (1971), Page 135</ref>

===Controversial Verses in this Chapter===

<span lang="ar" dir="rtl" class="block">عن المعرور بن سويد عن أمّ سلمة زوج النبي صلى اللّه عليه و سلم قالت: سمعت رسول اللّه صلى اللّه عليه و سلم يقول «إذا ظهرت المعاصي في أمتي عمهم اللّه بعذاب من عنده» فقلت يا رسول اللّه: أما فيهم أناس صالحون قال «بلى» قالت فكيف يصنع أولئك؟ قال «يصيبهم ما أصاب الناس ثم يصيرون إلى مغفرة من اللّه و رضوان». </span>

<span lang="ar" dir="rtl" class="block">عن المنذر بن جرير عن أبيه قال: قال رسول اللّه صلى اللّه عليه و سلم ما من قوم يعملون بالمعاصي و فيهم رجل أعز منهم و أمنع لا يغيره إلا عمهم اللّه بعقاب أو أصابهم العقاب</span>

==References==

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