Lesson # 977 - Spoils are of God and His Apostle

Lesson # 977 from the Noble Quran

Spoils are of God and His Apostle

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

Lesson

Principles and rules regarding the Law of distribution of the spoils of war have been described in the verse under discussion and the people have been caused to know: You fought against the infidels in accordance with the Commands of Allah Almighty and every individual of you performed according to one’s own extent. After that, you got victory with the help of Allah Almighty, and there is no hand of you in this success. Therefore, it is not fair to point out by every individual of you that he has right in the spoils of war. These spoils of war are of Allah Almighty and His Messenger (grace, glory, blessings and peace be upon Him). They are Authority to decide on it; whatever They desire to do.

Young men moved ahead and fought on front line in the Battle of Badr, and elders to them supported them steadily from the back. Some people engaged in the safety of the Messenger of Allah Almighty (grace, glory, blessings and peace be upon Him). Every one of them began to say: Spoils is my right. To courage the young men, the Messenger (grace, glory, blessings and peace be upon Him) had told them: Share from the spoils of war will be given to that individual as retribution who will work actively.

When the time came, the young men said: We struck many people moving ahead and killed others. Therefore, please arrange for our reward. Other people began to say: According to this situation, these people will take away the entire booty, whereas other all will remain empty-handed.

To settle these disputes, at first, it has been caused to understand in this verse: The spoils of war belong to Allah Almighty and His Messenger (grace, glory, blessings and peace be upon Him). Whatever you performed in the battle, performed for the sake of Allah Almighty and His Messenger (grace, glory, blessings and peace be upon Him), not for getting the spoils of war. It entire was a token of your Belief. Now, while Allah Almighty has arranged for you to obtain victory, then, it is the demand of your Belief that you must accept that the Owners of the spoils of war are Allah Almighty and His Messenger (grace, glory, blessings and peace be upon Him). You have to obey Their decision. Further detail will be discussed later.

Four instructions have been given in this verse for the Believers:

·       The spoils of war are of Allah Almighty because the victory was obtained by His support only. The Messenger (grace, glory, blessings and peace be upon Him) is His Vicegerent. Therefore, He has the right to dispose of it.

·       Remember the pleasure of God Almighty in the work, whatever you do and fear His displeasure.

·       Do not strife among yourselves for just little things and improve your mutual relations.

·       Leave it to judge Allah Almighty and His Messenger (grace, glory, blessings and peace be upon Him) in every dispute. For you is only that; which They say. So; act upon Their Command without wrangling.

The entire people bowed before these declarations and accepted that; certainly! We have won with the support of Allah Almighty only. So, neither we have any right in that which spoils were obtained by means of victory and nor we can deprive others by possessing because, however, every individual took part in the battle in any form.

This is the lesson which Holy Qur’an taught the Muslims in the beginning. It was explained clearly: Believers’ work is that they should abide by the Law. Making the Law is the work of Allah Almighty and deciding according to those laws depends on the Messenger (grace, glory, blessings and peace be upon Him), and the duty of His vicegerents believers and Caliphs. The duty of the believers is not any other than following the Law and its respect. Everyone should be saved from antagonism among one another, obey the Decision of Allah Almighty and His Messenger (grace, glory, blessings and peace be upon Him).

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)