Surah Al Anfal in English Translation with Explain

 Surah Al-Anfal in English Translation with Explain

Surah Al-Anfal (سورة الأنفال) is the 8th chapter of the Qur'an, consisting of 75 verses. It was revealed in Madinah and primarily addresses matters related to warfare, spoils of war, and the consequences of faithfulness or betrayal in times of conflict. The Surah takes its name from the term "Anfal" (أنفال), meaning "the spoils of war", which are discussed in the first verses. It also focuses on the importance of unity, obedience to Allah, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and how Muslims should deal with different situations, particularly in the context of battle and divine support.

Here is a detailed explanation of Surah Al-Anfal with Arabic verses:

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1. The Spoils of War and the Division of the Booty (8:1-3)

يَسْـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلْأَنْفَالِ ۚ قُلِ ٱلْأَنْفَـٰلُ لِلَّهِ وَٱلرَّسُولِ ۖ فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَصْلِحُوا۟ ذَاتَ بَيْنِكُمْ وَأَطِيعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥٓ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ
"They ask you about the spoils of war. Say, 'The spoils are for Allah and the Messenger, so fear Allah and amend that which is between you and obey Allah and His Messenger if you are believers.'" (8:1)

• Al-Anfal refers to the spoils of war. The Muslims are instructed to know that the distribution of war booty is ultimately under the authority of Allah and His Messenger. Those who are truly believers must fear Allah, maintain unity, and follow the guidance provided by the Prophet.

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2. The Believers’ Faith and Support from Allah (8:4-6)

إِنَّمَا ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ ٱللَّهُ وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَإِذَآ فُصِّلَتْ لَهُمْ ءَايَٰتُهُۥ زَادَتْهُمْ إِيمَٰنًۭا وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ
"The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, their hearts become fearful, and when His verses are recited to them, it increases them in faith, and upon their Lord they rely." (8:2)

• True believers are those who have a deep fear and reverence of Allah in their hearts when His name is mentioned. This faith strengthens them, and they place their complete trust and reliance on Allah in all matters.

ٱلَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ ٱلصَّلَٰوةَ وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَٰهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ
"Those who establish prayer and spend from what We have provided them." (8:3)

• The true believers are defined as those who perform their prayers regularly and give in charity from the blessings that Allah has granted them.

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3. The Battle of Badr: Divine Support and Victory (8:5-7)

كَمَآ أَخْرَجَكَ رَبُّكَ مِن بَيْتِكَ بِالْحَقِّ وَإِنَّ فَرِيقًۭا مِّنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ لَكَٰرِهُونَ
"Just as your Lord brought you out of your home with the truth, while indeed, a party among the believers were unwilling." (8:5)

• The verse refers to the Battle of Badr, where the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his followers were initially hesitant, but Allah’s plan and guidance made the believers firm in their resolve.

يُجَٰدِلُونَكَ فِى ٱلْحَقِّ بَعْدَمَا تَبَيَّنَ ۖ كَأَنَّمَا يُسَاقُونَٓ إِلَىٰ ٱلْمَوْتِ وَهُمْ يَنظُرُونَ
"They dispute with you concerning the truth after it has become clear, as if they were being driven toward death while they were looking on." (8:6)

• Some believers were reluctant to engage in the battle, but when the truth was evident, they began to argue and hesitate, despite seeing the clear signs of Allah's support.

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4. The Importance of Obedience to Allah and His Messenger (8:8-10)

إِذْ يُحِدُّونَ لَكَ أَلْقُدُمَكِمْ
"Remember when Allah promised you one of the two groups that it would be yours." (8:8)

• Victory in battle is guaranteed by Allah, and it can come in one of two ways: either through the defeat of the enemy or through surrender. Both options are part of Allah's plan.

فَٱذْكُرُوا۟ لِىٓ أَذْكُرْكُمْ وَٱشْكُرُوا۟ لِى وَلَا تَكْفُرُونِ
"So remember Me; I will remember you. And be grateful to Me and do not deny Me." (8:9)

• Allah reminds the believers of the importance of gratitude and remembering Him, especially during times of conflict and distress.

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5. The Role of Angels in Assisting the Muslims (8:9-10)

إِذْ يُحِدُّونَ لَكَ أَلْقُدُمَكِمْ
"When your Lord inspired to the angels, 'I am with you, so strengthen those who have believed.'" (8:9)

• Allah sent angels to support the believers during the Battle of Badr, assuring them of His divine help. These angels provided moral support and strengthened the faith of the Muslims, which ultimately led to their victory.

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6. The Battle of Badr: Allah’s Promise and the Victory (8:11-17)

إِذْ يُغَشِّيكُمُ ٱلنُّعَاسَ أَمَانَةًۭ مِّنْهُ وَيُحْيِىٰٓ قُلُوبَكُمْ وَيُثَبِّتُ بِهِ ٱلْأَقْدَامَ
"When He covered you with a slumber as a security from Him and sent down upon you from the sky rain to purify you and remove from you the evil of Satan and to strengthen your hearts and plant firmly your feet." (8:11)

• Allah’s mercy during the battle was immense, as He gave the believers peace and comfort in the form of sleep, provided them with rain to purify and strengthen them, and removed the evil influence of Satan.

إِذْ يَقُولُ رَبُّكُمْ أَنِى مُؤَيِّدٌۭكُم بِأَلْفٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلْمَلَائِكَةِ مُرْدِفِينَ
"When your Lord inspired to the angels, 'I am with you, so strengthen those who have believed.'" (8:12)

• Allah promised His assistance by sending thousands of angels to support the Muslims in battle.

فَٱلْتَقَى ٱلْجَمْعَانِ ۖ وَقَتَلَ ٱللَّهُ فِيهِمْ قُتْلَىٰۚ وَجَعَلَ ٱلْفَرْقَ ۚ وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ قَالُوا۟ لَوْ كُنتُمْ عَلَىٰٓ حَقٍّۢ لَمْ تَكْتُلُوا۟ۜ
"And when the two armies met, Allah gave them victory and allowed the disbelievers to be slain." (8:17)

• Victory at Badr was a clear sign of Allah's support for the believers. The disbelievers were defeated, and this victory became a pivotal moment in the early history of Islam.

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7. Rules of Conduct During War (8:15-17)

The Surah lays down important ethical guidelines regarding warfare. Muslims must be courageous and firm but also act in accordance with justice and mercy. When engaging in combat, they should not attack women, children, or the elderly, and they should avoid unnecessary destruction.

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8. The Spoils of War (8:41)

وَٱعْلَمُوا۟ أَنَّمَا غَنِمْتُمْ مِّن شَىْءٍۢ فَأَنَّ لِلَّهِ خُمُسَهُۥ وَلِلرَّسُولِ وَلِذِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَلِلْيَتَٰمَىٰ وَٱلْمَسَٰكِينَ وَٱبْنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ إِن كُنتُمْ ءَامَنتُمْ بِٱللَّهِ وَمَآ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَىٰ عَبْدِنَا يَوْمَ ٱلْفُرْقَانِ
"And know that anything you obtain of war booty - then indeed, for Allah is one fifth of it and for the Messenger and for [his] near relatives and the orphans, the needy, and the [stranded] traveler." (8:41)

• This verse discusses the distribution of the spoils of war and stresses that they are to be divided fairly, with a portion going to the poor, orphans, and the needy. The main purpose is to support the welfare of the community.

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Conclusion:

Surah Al-Anfal addresses the pivotal issues of warfare, unity, obedience to Allah and His Messenger, and the ethical conduct of Muslims during times of conflict. Through the narrative of the Battle of Badr, the Surah highlights Allah’s mercy and support for the believers and stresses the importance of maintaining faith and trust in Allah. The Surah also provides lessons on the fair division of spoils and maintaining righteousness even in challenging circumstances.