Lesson # 976 - Question about the spoils of war

Lesson # 976 from the Noble Quran

Question about the spoils of war

Surah ‘ANFAAL (SPOILS OF WAR) – Chapter – 8)

 Stage – 2, Verse – 1 of 75, Section – 1 of 10 (Part - 9)

                                                                                                         

BisMIllaahir-Rahmaanir-Rahiim

In the name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful

1.  They ask thee (O Muhammad) of the SPOILS of war. Say: The Spoils of war belong to Allah and the Messenger. So keep your duty to Allah, and adjust the matter of your difference, and obey Allah and His Messenger, if ye are (true) believers.

1.  Yas-‘aluu-naka  ‘anil-‘ANFAAL.  Qulil-‘Anfaala  LIllaahi  war-Rasuul.  Fatta-qUllaaha  wa  ‘as-lihuu  zaata-  bay-nikum.  Wa  ‘atii-‘Ullaaha  wa  RasuulaHuu  ‘in-  kuntum-  Mu’-miniin.

Lesson

‘Al-‘ANFAAL – (the Spoils of War), this word is plural of nafal. Nafal was the thing which was left behind by the enemies when they were running away from the battle-field and possessed by the Muslims.

Zaata-  bay-nikum – (the matter of your difference), zaata means “the matters” and bayni means “among, between”. Zaata bayni means “the mutual matters, relations, disputes”. Zaata-  bay-nikum means “those matters which are necessary to be adopted by the people due to living together”.

The Muslims spent thirteen worst years in Makkah under a very severe and bitter persecution condition continuously, tormented by the infidels of Makkah, and they endured them with extra-ordinary patience. The Messenger of Allah Almighty (grace, glory, blessings and peace be upon Him) tried His best to admonish them that: The secret of your eternal life is hidden in Islam. If you do not accept it, it is your own will. But you have no right to prevent those people who desire to embrace Islam willingly and at their own. Live together and keep one another free about the religion. But the idolaters of Makkah did not listen to Him (grace, glory, blessings and peace be upon Him). During that period, the Muslims were very distressed and wanted permission to avenge their wrongs. He (grace, glory, blessings and peace be upon Him) commanded: Be patient and do not fight with anyone until clear permission from Allah Almighty is not revealed.

When the worst has been and the people of Makkah decided to lay hands on the Apostle (grace, glory, blessings and peace be upon Him), then it was commanded that they should leave for Madinah. Some Muslims had reached already there. As soon as the Messenger (grace, glory, blessings and peace be upon Him) arrived at Madinah, He laid the foundation of Islamic social life immediately.

Allah Almighty sent down clear permission in Surah Al-Baqarah: Muslims can take revenge from the people of Makkah of their tyrannies. One and half years after the Departure, the Battle of Badr was fought. The infidels were defeated very badly and their spoils were possessed by the Muslims. This issue was settled in the Chapter under reference.

It is commanded: They ask You {O Messenger (grace, glory, blessings and peace be upon Him)} about the Spoils – snatched from the idolaters. The decision about it is that; that is not personal right of anyone. Its Owner is Allah Almighty and His Messenger (grace, glory, blessings and peace be upon Him). Wait for the Command of Allah Almighty in this matter (for its distribution), and obey according to the Revelation. Your duty is to obey Allah Almighty and His Messenger (grace, glory, blessings and peace be upon Him). Do not interrupt in accordance with your desire. These are the meanings of believing in Allah Almighty and obeying His Command.  

Transliterated Holy Qur’an in Roman Script & Translated from Arabic to English by Marmaduke Pickthall, Published by Paak Company, 17-Urdu Bazaar, Lahore, Lesson collected from Dars e Qur’aan published By Idara Islaah wa Tableegh, Lahore (translated Urdu to English by Muhammad Sharif)