Believers! Do not resort to Infighting - lest you lose courage and your strength depart

Unity is the binding force of any body of men or communities, clans or groups. So long these bodies remain united and refrain of internal strife and infighting, no harm comes to them both from within and without. But when desires and ambitions take over and common goals and objectives are set aside, cracks do not take long to weaken the internal strength and this weakness is instantly cashed on by the external forces to their advantage.

Allah has cautioned believers against internal fighting and divisions which can weaken a body of believers as  mentioned in the 46th verse of Sürah 8. Al-Anfāl of Al-Qurʾān, appended herein under:,  The War Booty

The Verse

وَاَطِيۡعُوا اللّٰهَ وَرَسُوۡلَهٗ وَلَا تَنَازَعُوۡا فَتَفۡشَلُوۡا وَتَذۡهَبَ رِيۡحُكُمۡ​ وَاصۡبِرُوۡا​ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ مَعَ الصّٰبِرِيۡنَ

“And obey Allah and His Messenger, and do not dispute with one another lest you lose courage and your strength depart; and be patient. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.”

Let us unpack this verse and understand its context and its applicability to the Muslims as of today.

Context of the Verse

This verse was revealed in Surah Al-Anfāl, which largely discusses the events surrounding the Battle of Badr, the very first encounter between the Muslims and the might of polytheists of Makkah. The early Muslim community was small and facing powerful enemies, so unity and discipline were essential for survival. Therefore, Allah warned the believers that internal disputes weaken a community more than external enemies.

Key Ideas in the Verse

• Obedience to Divine Guidance The verse begins with a command to obey Allah and His Messenger, establishing that unity must be built on shared moral and spiritual guidance.
• Avoid Internal Disputes 
• The phrase “do not dispute with one another” refers to destructive quarrels and factionalism, not healthy discussion or consultation.
• The Qur’an warns that constant conflict leads to: (1) Mistrust, (2) fragmentation, and (3) loss of collective purpose
• Loss of Strength
• The verse says: “your strength will depart” - The Arabic word “rīḥukum” (ريحكم) literally means “your wind” or “your power/momentum.”
• Scholars explain that it refers to  the loss of morale, loss of unity, loss of influence and victory
• Patience as the Solution The verse ends with a reminder that patience (ṣabr) is essential for maintaining unity and overcoming disagreements.

Relevance Today

This verse remains deeply relevant for Muslim societies and communities today. While the Muslims at the time of Battle of Badr were poor, ill equipped and still in the formatting years of their new found faith and obviously no match to the well equipped army of the wealthy polytheist clans of Makkah, the condition of Muslims of today, though far better inn terms of wealth and resources, is not much different.

The Qur’an repeatedly warns Muslims that division, factionalism, and internal conflict weaken the community. Along with Qur'an 8:46, there are several other important verses that form a complete Qur’anic philosophy of unity. Below are three of the most important ones.

• Hold Firmly to the Rope of Allah
• One of the most famous verses about unity is Qur'an 3:103. “And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favor of Allah upon you when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became brothers by His grace.”
• Here, the “rope of Allah” is interpreted by scholars as (1) The Qur’an, (2) The religion of Islam, and (3) The covenant with Allah
• The verse teaches that unity must be based on shared faith and principles, not just political alliances.
• Do Not Become Like Those Who Divided Their Religion
• Another warning appears in Qur'an 3:105. “And do not be like those who became divided and differed after clear proofs had come to them.”
• This verse reminds Muslims that previous religious communities split into factions despite receiving clear guidance.
• The Qur’an warns believers not to repeat that pattern.
• We should learn a lesson that Knowledge alone is not enough—arrogance, pride, and sectarian loyalty can still lead to division.
• Those Who Divide Their Religion into Sects
• A very strong warning appears in Qur'an 6:159. “Indeed, those who divide their religion and become sects—you have nothing to do with them. Their affair is only with Allah.”
• This verse criticizes people who break the unity of religion into rival factions driven by group identity rather than truth.
• It stresses that religion should unite believers, not become a cause of rivalry.
• Al Qur’anic Principle of Unity If we combine these verses—3:103, 3:105, 6:159, and 8:46—a clear philosophy emerges: (1) Unity is a divine blessing that must be protected. (2) Faith and guidance are the foundation of unity. (3) Internal disputes weaken communities. (4) Sectarian divisions corrupt religion, and (5) Patience and humility preserve unity.

Though the verses quoted above teach that Division weakens communities and stresses the need of Unity with patience and humility, it seems no lesson have been learnt to challenges of present times. Muslims, the second largest body of religion, are scattered in small but largely wealthy communities and nations are in no position to face external challenges since internal conflict dominate their politics. Today, if we look around, we find wealthy Muslim nations with well equipped armies and resources far better than the what Muslims had at the Battle of Badr, do not have strength to face external aggression and machinations, for their desires have taken over their will to ensure unity within. For this very reason, there is no coherence within Muslim countries, each having its own priorities than to unite with other Muslim nations to gear up to face many external challenges being faced today.

Many scholars say that this verse is a timeless principle of social stability: communities collapse not only because of enemies, but because internal conflict erodes their strength.

In essence, Al Qur’an teaches that unity, patience, and obedience to moral guidance are the foundations of communal strength, while constant disputes lead to weakness and division. 

A powerful reflection

The Qur’an suggests that communities rarely collapse because of external enemies alone. More often, they weaken when internal disputes destroy their cohesion and shared purpose. The Prophet ﷺ warned that division would eventually appear among Muslims, but he also gave guidance on how believers should deal with it.

“Indeed, those before you from the People of the Book split into seventy-two sects, and this community will split into seventy-three sects. All of them will be in error except one.” The companions asked: “Which one is that, O Messenger of Allah?” He replied: “That which I and my companions are upon today.”

This narration is recorded in collections such as Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Sunan Abu Dawud, and others (with some variations).

The Prophet ﷺ was not encouraging division; rather, he was predicting a reality of human societies: people often disagree, interpret differently, and form groups. But he clarified that the path of safety is to remain faithful to: (1) The Qur’an, (2) The authentic Sunnah, (3) The understanding of the early companions, such as Abu Bakr, Umar ibn al-Khattab, Uthman ibn Affan, and Ali ibn Abi Talib.

When we combine this hadith with Qur’anic teachings like Qur'an 3:103 and Qur'an 8:46, a clear message appears: (1) Unity is a divine command, (2) Division weakens the community, (3) Guidance lies in the Qur’an and Sunnah and that (4) Differences should be handled with patience and humility.

The Prophet ﷺ foresaw that disagreements would arise, but he taught that the way to remain on the right path is to stay connected to the Qur’an, the Sunnah, and the spirit of unity among believers.

The State of Muslims in the present times

It is very disturbing to note that no worthwhile unity exits among Muslims today. We have a Arab world and a Non Arab world. We have Sunni and Shia divide and within many sub divisions. This is because we have put our desires and personal / political interests in the forefront and have kept the unity, aas commanded by Allah, somewhere under lock and key. This disunity is being exploited by external powers and most of us have pawns rather than respectable Muslim states. How would we be able to stand on our own and relieve external pressures is a far cry - not seen in a foreseeable future.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Disclaimer: This post is purely an academic quest into the sphere of Muslim unity and disunity. It is based on the general perception as it prevails both within and without the Muslim world. It is by no mean to finger point on specific sects and factions or countries. It is to put across a personal viewpoint on our state of affairs, leaving much to ponder for our readers.

You may refer to more Selected Verses from Surah 8. Al-Anfāl  - سورة ٱلْأَنْفَال  (The Spoils of War)‎  already published. You may also refer to our exclusive reference page: Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.

For verses on Selected Subjects, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects and our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. 

You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Reference: | 1 | 2 | 3 |

An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of Al-Qurʾān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.  

In addition, other sources which have been explored and views of other scholars have been incorporated while explaining meaning of a verse. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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What are the true emotional and spiritual signs of faith in Islam

Have you ever watched a non Muslims taking Shahadah to enter the fold of Islam? If not, do watch the countless videos of reversion to Islam on the social media network and watch closely the abrupt change in the facial expression of the revert and the display of a sudden emotional outburst. This sudden emotional outburst stems from a profound sense of spiritual relief, overwhelming joy, and the immediate feeling of reconnection with the Creator. The uncontrollable gush of tears exhibits the relief one feels from the confusion that had harboured before reversion - the reversion in fact rids a person of the uncertainty of one's former belief (s) and suddenly finding how the light at the end of the tunnel really feels when falling on one's face and body.

In fact the reverts frequently experience a release of pent-up spiritual longing, resulting in tears of happiness, a feeling of being "cleansed," and the overwhelming realization of truth. 

The verse 2 of Surah Al-Anfāl explain the same phenomena and express the true emotional and spiritual signs of faith in Islam. 

Before we go on to explain the verse 2, let me share my experience of emotional and spiritual reaction to one's faith when the Divine Scripture is being recited. I once had the opportunity to attend a religious congregation where the excerpts from Divine Scripture were being read. But to my amazement, a large segment of audience were not paying any attention to what was being said and despite many cautions by the preacher that everyone should silently and carefully listen to the sacred scripture, no one rally paid any heed to it. And when I compare this incident when the Al Qur'an is being recited, there is a pin drop silence among the audience. And some who really reflect on what is being recited are seen with tearful eyes. The some are the people who fit perfectly into the verse being shared herein under.

The verse (meaning-focused translation)

اِنَّمَا الۡمُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ الَّذِيۡنَ اِذَا ذُكِرَ اللّٰهُ وَجِلَتۡ قُلُوۡبُهُمۡ وَاِذَا تُلِيَتۡ عَلَيۡهِمۡ اٰيٰتُهٗ زَادَتۡهُمۡ اِيۡمَانًا وَّعَلٰى رَبِّهِمۡ يَتَوَكَّلُوۡنَ ​​ۖ ​ۚ‏ 

(8:2) The true believers are those who, when Allah's name is mentioned, their hearts quake, and when His verses are recited to them their faith grows, and who put their trust in their Lord

This short verse gives one of the most profound Qur’anic definitions of īmān (true faith) — not as a label, but as a living inner reality. Let us unpack these verses and their impact even today.

Context of revelation (why this verse matters)

To understand the above quoted verse, let us briefly explain when Surah Al-Anfāl was revealed and how this verse strengthened their faith during their first encounter with the polytheists of Makkah in the Battle of Badr. This was a test of faith of a very small, weak Muslim community confronting a powerful, arrogant Quraysh army.

Despite being outnumbered, the Muslim victory came only by Allah’s help. Soon after the victory, there was a dispute on the distribution of the war spoils (anfāl). So Allah revealed this surah to correct attitudes, purify intentions and redefine what real belief looks like

So 8:2 comes to say: Victory is not because of numbers or strategy alone. It comes from hearts that are alive with Allah.

Structure of the verse — three signs of true īmān

The verse gives three internal indicators, not external slogans:

• Hearts tremble when Allah is mentioned 
• “When Allah is mentioned, their hearts tremble (وَجِلَتۡ قُلُوۡبُهُمۡ wajilat qulūbuhum)”
• This is khashyah combination of awe and moral consciousness, not panic. It means: (1) Awareness of Allah’s greatness (2) Sensitivity to accountability (3) Softness of heart, not hardness

Khashyah (Arabic: خشية) is a profound, reverential fear or awe of Allah, rooted in knowledge of His greatness, power, and perfection. Unlike general fear (khawf), khashyah is a deeply conscious, respectful awe that arises from understanding God's majesty, often leading to increased devotion and avoidance of sins. 

• Not fear of punishment only, but: (1) Reverence (2) Presence (3) Moral alertness
• Today’s relevance: Although, there are countless Muslims around the world who bow and prostrate to Allah five times a day, recite Al Qur'an. But if when Allah’s name is taken and it No Longer (1) Moves us, (2) Corrects us and (3) Humbles us, this reflects that our īmān has become routine, not reality.
• Faith increases with Qur’an
• “When His verses are recited, it increases them in faith”
• This teaches a critical principle: Īmān is not static — it grows or shrinks.
• That means reciting Qur’an should: (1) Strengthen conviction (2) Sharpen moral clarity (3) Renew purpose, and (4) Heal doubts
• A man's faith grows as he is able to confirm and submit to the command of God which he comes across. This is especially so where he submits to commands which go against his own personal predilections. A man's faith attains great heights if instead of trying to twist and distort the commands of God and the Prophet (peace he on him), he develops the habit of accepting and submitting to all the commands of God and the Prophet (peace be on him); if he strives to shape his conduct to the teachings which go against his personal opinions and conceptions, which are contrary to his habits, interests and convenience, which are not in consonance with his loyalties and friendships. For if he hesitates to respond positively to God's command, his faith is diminished. One thus learns that faith is not a static, immobile object. Nor is every, act of belief, or unbelief, of the same quality. An act of belief may be better or worse than another act of belief. Likewise, an act of unbelief may differ in quality from another act of unbelief. For both belief and unbelief, are capable of growth and decline.
• All this concerns the essence of belief and unbelief. However, when belief and unbelief are mentioned as a basis for membership of the Muslim community or in connection with legal rights and responsibilities as necessary corollaries of that membership, a clear line of demarcation has to be drawn between those who believe and those who do not. In this respect the determination of who is a believer and who is not will depend on the basic minimum of belief regardless of quality of belief. In an Islamic society all those who believe will be entitled to the same legal rights and will be required to fulfil the same duties regardless of the differences in the quality of their faith. Likewise, all unbelievers - regardless of the differences in the quality of their unbelief - will be placed in the category of unbelievers disregarding the question whether their unbelief is of an ordinary quality or an extremely serious one.
• But many today hear Qur’an as: Background sound, Cultural habit or Ritual recitation 
• But true believers experience Qur’an as spiritual nourishment, not spiritual noise. And it really moves their hearts and stirs their soul to get closer to Allah as is expected of them.
• Reliance on Allah (tawakkul)
• “And upon their Lord they rely” - this is the most important part of the verse. 
• At Badr, Muslims had: Limited weapons, resources and extremely outnumbered. So tawakkul on Allah was not merely a slogan — it was survival.
• Tawakkul is: Not laziness or fatalism - But doing your best and then trusting Allah with the outcome.
• Today’s relevance:
• In a world many find assurances in Insurance, Planning, Data and Control systems and think this will safeguard their lives and interest or even beat back adversary in conflicts.
• But this verse reminds us that Means are not gods - Allah is still Al-Wakīl "The Trustee." (Read more about this particular attribute of Allah at: 99 Attributes of Allah: Al Wakil - The Trustee)

How this verse redefines “real Muslim”

This verse does not define believers by: Tribe, Label, Politics,  Appearance alone and Culture. But by:

• Heart sensitivity
• Growth through Qur’an
• Dependence on Allah

This is deeply relevant in an age where Identity is loud, but spirituality is weak

Connection with surrounding verses (8:3–4)

Immediately after, Allah says: "They establish prayer and spend from what We provided. Those are truly the believers." (8:3–4)

This implies that the verse 2 shows the inner state of a true believer while verses 3-4 exhibits the emotional and spirituals signs outwardly. Remember True īmān (Faith) is the finely meshed combination of Alive heart and living obedience.

A powerful modern mirror

Having read the meaning and relevance of the above quoted verses, one must ask honestly:

• Does Allah’s name still soften my heart?
• Does Qur’an still increase my certainty?
• Do I rely on Allah — or only on systems?

Because this verse teaches that Faith is not what you claim - but true Faith is what moves your heart and directs your trust.

Link to your earlier themes (khashyah & knowledge)

Before end this discussion and explanation of verse 2 (and verse 3-4) of Surah Al-Anfāl, let us just links this to other verses of Qur'an and see how these perfectly aligns with other verses of Al Qur'an:

• 35:28: Those who truly fear Allah are people of knowledge
• 39:9: Are those who know equal to those who don’t?

So 8:2 shows that Knowledge leads to Khashyah and Living īmān - Not dry information.

One-line Qur’anic definition from 8:2

A true believer is someone whose heart responds to Allah, whose faith grows with Qur’an, and whose trust is anchored in Allah — not in the world.  Now we must ask ourselves where do we stand with regard to our emotional and spiritual attachment to our faith!!

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

You may refer to more Selected Verses from Surah 8. Al-Anfāl  - سورة ٱلْأَنْفَال  (The Spoils of War)‎

 already published. You may also refer to our exclusive reference page: Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.

For verses on Selected Subjects, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects and our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. 

You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Reference: | 1 | 2 | 3 |

An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of Al-Qurʾān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.  

In addition, other sources which have been explored and views of other scholars have been incorporated while explaining meaning of a verse. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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The echoes of Polytheistic mindset at the time of revelation of Al Qur'an can still be heard today

Man has always been stubborn and arrogant to challenge any new thing that is tangent to the customs and traditions of his forefathers. That is why whenever a messenger or a prophet was sent to them by the Lord of the universe, they were confronted with extreme hostility. This has been the case with Prophet Noah who despite calling his people to one true God for about nine hundred years finally gave in and asked Allah to send the Divine wrath for those who were heedless to the path prescribed for them by their Creator. And the list is not small. It goes down on and on to every following prophet like Prophets Hud, Lot, Moses, Jesus and even the last of the prophets, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

And this rejection to the Divine faith continues till date as many a non Muslims, specially the polytheists of today still continue to raise same objections against Islam as was raised fourteen hundred years ago against Islam and Qur'an when Prophet Muhammad ﷺ extended Da'wah (invitation to Islam) to them. Let us share a verse from Al Qur'an and then expand it to see its closeness to the echoes of the polytheistic mindset still be heard today.

The Verse (Surah 8 Al Anfal :31):

وَاِذَا تُتۡلٰى عَلَيۡهِمۡ اٰيٰتُنَا قَالُوۡا قَدۡ سَمِعۡنَا لَوۡ نَشَآءُ لَـقُلۡنَا مِثۡلَ هٰذَٓا​ ۙ اِنۡ هٰذَاۤ اِلَّاۤ اَسَاطِيۡرُ الۡاَوَّلِيۡنَ‏ 

(8:31) And when Our verses are recited to them, they say: 'We have heard. We could, if we willed, compose the like of it. They, are nothing but fables of the ancient times.' (Surah Al-Anfal, 8:31)

Historical Context of Revelation

This verse was revealed in Medina, post the Battle of Badr, but it refers to the attitude of the Meccan disbelievers toward the Quran before the migration. And it is interesting to note that the allegations against Islam and Al Qur'an levelled more than fourteen centuries ago are still prevalent and non Muslim continue to label the same allegations as was done by the pagans of Makkah in the times of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم.

Let us expand this verse for its better understanding.

Who are "they" in this verse?

Refers specifically to the Quraysh leaders such as:

• Al-Nadr ibn Al-Harith
• Abu Jahl
• Umayyah ibn Khalaf

They mocked the Quran when it was recited to them and claimed:

• “We’ve heard it. Nothing new.”
• “We could produce something like this if we wanted.”
• “It’s just old stories, like the ones our ancestors told.”

Why did they say this?

It was a dismissive and arrogant response aimed at:

• Undermining the divine origin of the Quran.
• Avoiding accountability, since accepting its truth would require changing their lifestyle and beliefs.
• Preserving social and political power, which Islam threatened.

Al-Nadr ibn al-Harith, for instance, used to travel to Persia and would come back with fables and tales, saying, “I can tell better stories than Muhammad.”

Explanation of the Verse

•  "We have heard..."
• A sarcastic way of saying, “We’ve heard this already; it’s nothing special.”
• Shows their intellectual arrogance and mockery.
• "We could say something like it if we wanted..."
• This reflects their false claim that the Quran is man-made.
• Yet, despite this claim, they never produced anything like it, even when challenged repeatedly:
• The Quran challenges:
• “Then produce a surah like it...” (Surah Yunus 10:38, also Hud 11:13)
• They failed to respond with anything remotely comparable.
• "This is nothing but fables of the ancients"
• They reduced divine revelation to mere myths or legends, i.e., stories from previous generations with no real authority.
• This phrase was common among Quraysh when denying both the Quran and resurrection.

Relevance to the Present Times

This verse perfectly mirrors the attitudes of many in modern times — especially skeptics, secular critics, and anti-theistic voices — who respond to divine guidance with:

• Dismissiveness toward Revelation
• People say: “We've heard this before,” or “Religion is outdated.”
• They view divine texts as irrelevant, repetitive, or lacking originality, despite not genuinely engaging with them.
• Claiming Human Equivalence
• Some argue: “The Quran is just Arabic poetry,” or “Any intelligent writer could come up with something similar.”
• But no one has met the Quran's literary challenge over 14 centuries — in content, structure, law, theology, and effect on hearts.
• Accusing Islam of Being 'Backward' or 'Mythical': The phrase “fables of the ancients” is echoed today in accusations that religion is based on superstition or ancient folklore, ignoring its moral clarity, transformative power, and intellectual depth.
• Irrelevance of Qur'an with science: This is the most interesting accusation among those, specially the ashiest, who  find "no relevance" of Qur'an with modern day science.
• While this accusation is meaningless for the simple reason that Divine scriptures are meant to guide mankind to true faith and worship of one true God, it may be noted that none of the earlier Divine Scriptures are non-scientific either. So why single out Qur'an only, despite many scientific proofs presented in Qur'an only.
• Qur'an explains in detail the evolution of birth in all its stages, not even known at the time of its revelation. Rather it was many centuries later that medical science progressed to find out what Qur'an said about the stages of childbirth are but true.
• It is Qur'an which told mankind that iron is not native to the earth but it came down from the outer space. Now science has proved its correctness that iron was bombarded on earth in the shape of meteoroids which were detached from the dying stars.
• It was Qur'an which reassured the Rome after their defeat by the Persians that they will regain their lost pride and will be victorious.
• It is the Qur'an which tells us that mountains are like giant spikes that are holding the earth and supporting it, so proved by the science today.
• There are many more examples that can be quoted out of Qur'an about scientific discoveries that came to be true until recently.
• Yet, despite all this knowledge, Qur'an remains a Book of Guidance and not a book of science, so to say.

Key Lessons from 8:31

• Arrogance blinds from truth: Intellectual pride prevents people from recognizing divine guidance
• Claiming false equivalence with revelation: Many still say religious texts are human-made without serious study
• Repeating old patterns of denial: Human skepticism toward prophets and scriptures is a recurring theme
• Importance of sincerity in seeking truth: 
• Truth is not found through mockery, but honest reflection and humility
• The mention of many things only recently found by science to be true and yet not confirming these for sincerity in seeking the truth through Qur'an is lacking.

Final Reflection

Verse 8:31 shows how the same patterns of rejection repeat across time. Whether in 7th-century Mecca or 21st-century secular societies, the human heart often resists what challenges its ego, habits, or worldview.

Yet the Quran continues to stand unchallenged — in its message, beauty, preservation, and power to transform hearts. "This Quran is not such as can be produced by other than Allah..." (Surah Yunus 10:37)

Despite all accusations, it is heartening to note that more and more non Muslims and polytheists of day are reverting to Islam for more one ponders over Qur'an, keeping aside one's arrogance and attachment to one's culture, traditions and faith, the more truth one finds in Qur'an. Those who revert to Islam now know that the misinformation they have been fed with about Islam was not true and was only aimed to keep the world away from Divine truth that Islam and Qur'an teach. Today, Islam is the second religion after Christianity and many researchers believe that by 2050 Islam will be the dominating religions. 

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Please refer to our exclusive reference page: Selected verses from Surah 8. Al-Anfāl  - سورة ٱلْأَنْفَال  (The Spoils of War)‎ for verses from this Surah.

You may also refer to our exclusive reference page: Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.

For more Selected Subjects, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects and our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. .

You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Reference: | 1 | 2 | 3 |

An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of Al-Qurʾān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.  

In addition, other sources which have been explored and views of other scholars have been incorporated while explaining meaning of a verse. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

Al-Qurʾān: Selected Verses from: Surah 8. Al-Anfāl - سورة ٱلْأَنْفَال (The Spoils of War)‎

Surah Al-Anfal - سورة ٱلْأَنْفَال (The Spoils of War) is a Medinan surah, with 75 verses and part of Juzʼ 9—10 in the Qur'an. Its context of revelation is closely tied to the events of the Battle of Badr, which occurred in 2 AH (624 CE) — the first major battle between the Muslims of Medina and the polytheists Quraysh of Mecca.

The meaning of Al-Anfāl:

The name "Al-Anfal" means spoils of war, and the first verse opens with a question from the companions:

• “They ask you [O Prophet] about the spoils of war. Say, ‘The spoils belong to Allah and the Messenger. So fear Allah, and amend that which is between you, and obey Allah and His Messenger, if you should be believers.’” (Surah Al-Anfal, 8:1)
• This verse indicates that conflict had arisen among the Muslims about how the spoils should be divided. It set the tone that obedience to Allah and unity are more important than material gain.

Why was Surah Al-Anfal revealed?

The surah was revealed after the Battle of Badr. Since this was the first ever battle fought under the banner of Islam by the Muslims, they were Divinely guided to address issues related to:

• The distribution of war booty (Al-Anfāl) and treatment of the prisoners of war.
• The moral, spiritual, and political lessons from the battle.
• The conduct of believers in war and peace.
• The contrast between true faith and hypocrisy.

Historical Background – The Battle of Badr

• The Battle of Badr was a turning point for the Muslim community:
• Muslims were outnumbered (313 Muslims vs. ~1000 Quraysh).
• Despite being ill-equipped, the Muslims achieved a miraculous victory.
• It established the political and military presence of Islam in Arabia.
• The surah addresses both the strategic aspects of the battle and the spiritual dimensions of victory and trust in Allah.

The readers may like to  read the Overview of the Surah already published to understand the context under which this surah was revealed and why Battle of Badr was fought and for what reasons.

Main Themes and Major Subjects of Surah Al-Anfal

• War and Its Ethics in Islam
• The surah outlines rules of engagement, conduct in battle, treatment of prisoners, and the importance of justice, discipline, and sincerity.
• Muslims are reminded that victory comes from Allah, not from numbers or strategy:
• "And you did not kill them, but it was Allah who killed them. And you threw not, [O Muhammad], when you threw, but it was Allah who threw..."
• (8:17)
• Distribution of Spoils of War
• The first verse and others later clarify that spoils of war are not personal property but must be managed under divine guidance and by the Prophet.
• Fair distribution, caring for the poor, orphans, and ensuring unity in the Muslim ranks is emphasized.
• Characteristics of True Believers: The surah describes true believers as those who:
• Fear Allah.
• Obey the Prophet.
• Are humble, united, and sincere.
• True faith is not merely verbal; it’s demonstrated in action, especially in trials like war.
• "The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, their hearts tremble, and when His verses are recited to them, it increases them in faith..." (8:2)
• Hypocrisy and Weak Faith
• Those who turned away from the fight or doubted Allah’s help are warned.
• Hypocrisy is shown to be dangerous for the unity and moral strength of the Muslim community.
• Divine Support and Angels in Badr
• Allah mentions how He sent angels to assist the Muslims during Badr:
• “[Remember] when your Lord revealed to the angels: ‘I am with you, so strengthen those who have believed...’” (8:12)
• This underlines that success is tied to faith, not numbers or strength.
• Peace and Treaty Obligations
• The surah discusses how Muslims should honor treaties and when they are permitted to break them — especially if the other side breaks them first (8:56–61).
• Also, if the enemy inclines toward peace, Muslims should accept:
• “But if they incline to peace, then incline to it [also] and rely upon Allah...” (8:61)
• Prisoners of War: Surah Al-Anfāl provides the first framework for how to treat prisoners of war, including ransom, mercy, or freeing as an act of charity.
• Establishing the Authority of Islam
• The surah legitimizes the new Islamic political entity in Medina.
• It encourages the Muslims to:
• Be united under the leadership of the Prophet.
• Rely on divine guidance in all matters — spiritual, legal, and military.
• Understand their identity as a community with a mission (ummah).

Summary of Themes in Surah Al-Anfāl:

• Spoils of War 8:1, 8:41
• Ethics of War 8:60–61, 8:67–68
• Battle of Badr – Divine Support 8:7–12, 8:17
• Description of Believers 8:2–4
• Hypocrisy and Weak Faith 8:15–16, 8:49
• Unity, Obedience, Brotherhood 8:45–46, 8:73
• Treatment of Prisoners 8:70–71
• Peace and Treaty Guidelines 8:56–61

Why is Surah Al-Anfal Still Relevant Today?

• Teaches discipline, unity, and sincerity in all efforts, especially during challenges.
• Sets moral standards for conflict, much needed in modern times.
• Reinforces the message that material gain is not the goal — obedience to Allah and moral integrity are.
• Emphasizes that victory lies in tawakkul (trust in Allah) and righteous action, not numbers or weapons.

We have already published detailed exegesis of the Surah which can be accessed from links given below:

 | Overview |Exegesis: | Part I | Part II |

We now share some of the verses from Surah Al-Anfāl which have already been published covering some important messages:

• Verse 2: What are the true emotional and spiritual signs of faith in Islam
• The echoes of Polytheistic mindset at the time of revelation of Al Qur'an can still be heard today - verse 31
• Believers!! Do not quarrel among your ranks, lest your unity withers away - verse 46
• Believers! Do not resort to Infighting - lest you lose courage and your strength depart
• Rules in Islam for keeping  covenant (or otherwise) with others - verse 58
• Be fully equipped and ready to defend yourself at all times - verse 60

In time we will continue to add more selected verses from Surah Al-Anfāl for information of our readers.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

You may also refer to our exclusive reference page: Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.

For more Selected Subjects, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects and our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. .

You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Reference: | 1 | 2 | 3 |

An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of Al-Qurʾān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.  

In addition, other sources which have been explored and views of other scholars have been incorporated while explaining meaning of a verse. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

New Year Resolve: Believers!! Do not quarrel among your ranks, lest your unity withers away

New Year each year ushers in new aspirations, raised goal posts and many new resolves. These new resolves stem from personal to companies and even national level. However, lack of unity remains unresolved despite tall claims, especially when it comes to larger communities or groups of communities. 

The Muslim Ummah is one such community which has always lacked unity and many Muslim countries remain at daggers drawn with other Muslim countries due to associations with blocs, alignment on sectarian basis and many other dividing factors. Unfortunately, this is not something new. The disunity has been there even in the early days of Islam and still continues. It is sad to see Muslims fighting each other and the stake holders who do not let unity be forged into Muslim countries, add fuel to fire by creating mistrust. 

We, in our series of posts on Selected verses from Qur'an, share the 46th verse from Surah 8. Al Anfaal, which cautions Muslims not to quarrel among their ranks for it may weaken them and take courage out of them, needed to face the onslaught of their enemies. although, this caution was intended for the believers to stand in Unisom when fighting with their enemies, it still stands true today, as even before battles are fought, new strategies and tactics in the form of fifth generation warfare are let lose to weaken the morale and feed in disarray among the ranks of the believers.

Such verses must continue to be shared or even reshared as many times as possible so as to keep cautioning the believers not to fall into trap of disunity:

وَاَطِيۡعُوا اللّٰهَ وَرَسُوۡلَهٗ وَلَا تَنَازَعُوۡا فَتَفۡشَلُوۡا وَتَذۡهَبَ رِيۡحُكُمۡ​ وَاصۡبِرُوۡا​ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ مَعَ الصّٰبِرِيۡنَ​ۚ‏ 

(8:46) And obey Allah and His Messenger, and do not quarrel with one another lest you lose courage and your power depart. Be steadfast, surely Allah is with those who remain steadfast.

As the Arabic word (sabr) which has been translated into fortitude is very comprehensive in meaning, 'practice fortitude' implies: "Keep your feelings and passions under control; avoid rashness, bewilderment, despair, and greediness: keep cool and calm and make considered decisions; remain firm and steadfast in the face of dangers and difficulties; don't take any wrong step even under the greatest provocations; don't lose your senses even when you are attacked by afflictions and are in a sad plight; don't take any hasty action in your impatience to achieve your objective without delay with the help of some seeming effective device and don't be enticed by the temptation of some worldly interest or gain or lust" . Allah helps those who practice fortitude (sabr) in accordance with the above implications.

Tafsir Ibn-Kathir: (The Command for Endurance when the Enemy Engaging)

Allah commands endurance upon meeting the enemy in battle and ordains patience while fighting them. Muslims are not allowed to run or shy away, or show cowardice in battle. They are commanded to remember Allah while in that condition and never neglect His remembrance. They should rather invoke Him for support, trust in Him and seek victory over their enemies from Him. They are required to obey Allah and His Messenger in such circumstances adhering to what He commanded them, and abstaining from what He forbade them. They are required to avoid disputing with each other, for this might lead to their defeat and failure, 

(Lest your strength departs), so that your strength, endurance and courage do not depart from you,

(And be patient. Surely, Allah is with the patients.)

In their courage, and obedience to Allah and His Messenger, the Companions reached a level never seen before by any nation or generation before them, or any nation that will ever come. Through the blessing of the Messenger and their obedience to what he commanded, the Companions were able to open the hearts, as well as, the various eastern and western parts of the world in a rather short time. This occurred even though they were few, compared to the armies of the various nations at that time. For example, the Romans, Persians, Turks, Slavs, Berbers, Ethiopians, Sudanese tribes, the Copts and the rest of the Children of Adam. They defeated all of these nations, until Allah's Word became the highest and His religion became dominant above all religions. The Islamic state spread over the eastern and western parts of the world in less than thirty years. May Allah grant them His pleasure, as well as, be pleased with them all, and may He gather us among them, for He is the Most Generous, and Giving.

Muhammad Asad Explanation:

The relevant word is rih, which literally signifies "wind"; it is used metaphorically to denote "spirit" or "moral strength".

Yusuf Ali Explanation: 

A fine description of the Muslim virtues which make for success and whose loss brings about humiliation and failure. "Power": literally, "wind", -the favourable wind for a sailing ship.

Javed Ahmad Ghamidi Explanation:

A special meaning of obeying God and His Messenger is also understood here that while combating the enemy full discipline is shown in following the directives of God and His Messenger. This is because just as lack of God’s remembrance causes disruption in the mind and heart of a person, lack of discipline disturbs the order and system of a group.

(..Remain steadfast because God is with those who are steadfast) This statement was given earlier with relation to individuals. Here it has been given with relation to collectivities. Imām Amīn Aḥsan Iṣlāḥī writes:

... The implication is that if they want God’s help and close association, they should prove themselves worthy by their collective character. God does not help an ill-disciplined mob. He helps those who fight for His cause in a united and orderly way. (Amīn Aḥsan Iṣlāḥī, Tadabbur-i Qur’ān, vol. 3, 488)

Tafsir Qur'an Wiki:

Obedience to God and His Messenger ensures that the believers go into the battle submitting themselves totally to God. There will be no room for any cause of conflict or dispute: “Do not dispute with one another, lest you lose heart and your moral strength.” People fall into dispute when they have different authorities which they look to for leadership and guidance, or when desire is the ultimate factor that shapes people’s views and ideas. When people obey only God and His Messenger, the main cause of dispute between them disappears, no matter how much their views differ over the question under discussion. Having different views is never a cause of dispute and conflict.

What causes conflict is desire, making everyone insist that his view is the one to follow, even when it appears to be wrong. Desire causes ‘self’ to be placed in opposition to ‘right’ and attaching more importance to self in the first place. For this reason, Muslims are given this directive to obey God and His Messenger at the time of battle. It is a question of discipline that is essential in battle. It is an obedience to the High Command which reflects itself in a genuine obedience to the leader in command of the Muslim forces. Steadfastness and patience in adversity are also essential, whether internal within oneself, or on the battlefield: “Be patient, for God is with those who are patient.” Being with God will certainly ensure success and victory for those who are steadfast.

Now you may listen to the following short clipped video to explanation of the aforesaid Ayat by eminent Muslim scholar Nouman Ali Khan:

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

For more Selected Verses, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Tafsir References: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |

An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs of the Qur'ān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.  

In order to augment and add more explanation as already provided, additional input has been interjected from the following sources: 

• Tafsir Ibn Khatir
• Muhammad Asad Translation
• Yusuf Ali Translation
• Translation Javed Ahmad Ghamidi / Al Mawrid
• Qur'an Wiki
• Verse by Verse Qur'an Study Circle
• Towards Understanding the Quran

In addition, references of other sources which have been explored have also been given above. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

Be fully equipped and ready to defend yourself at all times (Selected verses from Qur'an)

Islam has always been under aggression since its earlier days. And this state still continues. Every man, irrespective of his religion, faith and aspirations, has the right to live peacefully and honourably. Yet Muslims have always been targeted for being threat to non-Muslims. Therefore, they have been cautioned about the machinations of their adversaries and asked in clear words to keep them ready for any eventuality that more often than not props up to threaten their way of life and beliefs.

The following verse from Surah 8. Al Anfal (The Battle Spoils) is one such Divine commandment for Muslims to be ready to take on enemies that threaten their religious ideology.

وَاَعِدُّوۡا لَهُمۡ مَّا اسۡتَطَعۡتُمۡ مِّنۡ قُوَّةٍ وَّمِنۡ رِّبَاطِ الۡخَـيۡلِ تُرۡهِبُوۡنَ بِهٖ عَدُوَّ اللّٰهِ وَعَدُوَّكُمۡ وَاٰخَرِيۡنَ مِنۡ دُوۡنِهِمۡ​ ۚ لَا تَعۡلَمُوۡنَهُمُ​ ۚ اَللّٰهُ يَعۡلَمُهُمۡ​ؕ وَمَا تُـنۡفِقُوۡا مِنۡ شَىۡءٍ فِىۡ سَبِيۡلِ اللّٰهِ يُوَفَّ اِلَيۡكُمۡ وَاَنۡـتُمۡ لَا تُظۡلَمُوۡنَ‏ 

(8:60) And make ready your strength, to the utmost of your power including sinews of war, to strike terror into the hearts of enemies of Allah, and others besides them, whom you know not but Allah does know. And whatever you expend in the cause of Allah shall be repaid onto you and you shall not be treated unjustly.

The above quoted verse was revealed more than 1400 years ago when horses were considered to be superior game changers. Now these have been replaced by tanks and many other modern gadgetries and equipment that need to be acquired and kept ready to challenge the enemy. Besides, the 5th generation warfare, which has added yet another dimension to the art of warfare, should never be lost sight of. Now it is the cumulative effect of a high state of motivation, armies well equipped, superior strategy and all means that are force multiplier should be made use of to thwart enemy designs much before battles are fought.

It may also be kept in mind that amassing weapons and war fighting machines only is not the answer. The men must be trained well to handle these when time comes. Men who have superior intellect, well versant with strategies to fight war and be also proficient in making use of non-military means and intelligence to forestall any misadventure by the enemy before battle drums start to sound. 

It may be clarified here that there are non-Muslims who single out these verses from Qur'an and then label Muslims as war mongers. But quite the opposite is true. Muslims are never encouraged to wage wars. But they are asked to defend themselves with full might when war is waged on them.  

Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi Explanation:

This means, "You should always keep in readiness the necessary military equipment and an organized standing army so that you may be able to take military action immediately without the least delay, should the enemy attack you suddenly. These precautionary measures should be taken so that there should be no confusion and no hurry to urge you to enlist half-trained and ill-equipped volunteers; nor would there be any fear that the enemy would take you unawares and inflict irreparable losses on you before you could get ready for the defense".

Muhammad Asad Explanation:

(Hence, make ready against them whatever force and war mounts) Lit., "tethering of horses" (ribat al-khayl): an expression which signifies "holding in readiness mounted troupes at all points open to enemy invasion (thughur)"; hence, tropically, the over-all maintenance of military preparedness. 

(You are able to muster, so that you might deter thereby the enemies of God, who are your enemies as well,) Lit., "God's enemy and your enemy" - implying that every "enemy of God" (i.e., everyone who deliberately opposes and seeks to undermine the moral laws laid down by God) is, eo ipso, an enemy of those who believe in Him. 

(And others besides them of whom you may be unaware, [but] of whom God is aware; and whatever you may expend) I.e., of resources, efforts and sacrifice of life.

Yusuf Ali Explanation: 

The immediate occasion of this injunction was the weakness of cavalry and appointments of war in the early fights of Islam. But the general meaning follows. In every fight, physical, moral, or spiritual, arm yourself with the best weapons and the best arms against your enemy, so as to instill wholesome respect into him for you and the Cause you stand for.

There are always lurking enemies whom you may not know, but whom Allah knows. It is your duty to be ready against all, for the sacred Cause under whose banner you are fighting.

Be always ready and put all your resources into your Cause. You do not do so in vain. Allah's reward will come in various forms. He knows all, and His reward will always be more generous than you can possibly think of.

Javed Ahmad Ghamidi Explanation:

(As much as you can, prepare against them an army) The actual word is: قوة. It is evident from other instances in the Qur’ān that it is also used for numerical power. The implication is that now they must have an organized force of warriors at their disposal at all times so that it may be used against the disbelievers when needed. It should not be the case that whenever an attack is to be launched a call for volunteers is given. Now believers should have an organized army as far as they are capable of and it should also be in large numbers as far as possible.

(And trained horses) This refers to horses which have been trained for this very purpose. This has been said because in those times horses had the same status as tanks and fighter planes have today. 

(At your disposal so that you can strike awe into the enemies of God and of yours and others beside them too who you do not know. God knows them.) This is a reference to those elements and forces which hitherto had not come to the fore but God knew that soon or late they will manifest themselves in some form or the other. For example, Jews and hypocrites with whom the Prophet (sws) had made treaties of remaining impartial. Similarly, the Romans, the Ghassanids and the Persians too had become concerned with what was happening in Arabia and were looking at it with apprehension.

([For this purpose,] whatever you spend for the cause of God shall be fully repaid to you.) Ie., repaid to them in accordance with the principal God has prescribed for the reward of virtue.

Tafsir Qur'an Wiki:

Islam, however, sets out to make real preparations that are within the capability of the Muslims so that victory becomes achievable. It does not raise the sights of the Muslim community towards that sublime horizon without making sure that it has firm ground on which it can stand. Islam also takes every practical step which has been proven through experience to be of immense value in the achievement of victory. Islam also makes sure that the Muslim community is well prepared for its practical tasks that serve its sublime objectives: The verse gives a clear order to prepare all forces and power within the means of the Muslim community. It makes special mention of cavalry because that was then the main equipment in war. Had the Qur’ān ordered them to prepare equipment that was unknown to them, they would have found these a complete mystery. Far be it from God to address anyone with mysteries. What is most important to remember here is that the directive is of a very broad nature. 

There is nothing to be ashamed of in the nature of the Islamic approach. Islam does not have a man-made system, and does not seek to establish the authority of a leader, a state, a class, or a race. It does not try to enslave serfs so that they cultivate the plantations of the aristocracy, like the Romans used to do. Nor does it try to exploit markets and raw materials, as Western capitalism has been doing. It is not the aim of Islam to impose a human system devised by a shortsighted, narrow-minded and ignorant human being, as Communism was keen to do. Islam has a system devised by God whose knowledge and wisdom are absolute. It aims to establish God’s absolute sovereignty in order that all mankind be free from subjugation to any worldly authority.

Thus, right at the outset, Islam rules out any war undertaken for the glory of individuals and states. It rejects all campaigns that seek to exploit resources and open markets, or to subjugate and humiliate other communities. Islam has nothing to do with any war that tries to establish the superiority of one class, race, nation, or state over another. The only type of campaign which Islam approves of is one undertaken for God’s cause. Needless to say, God does not wish to grant supremacy to any one race, nation, class, or individual. He only wants His own sovereignty and authority to be recognized by all people. God is in no need of anyone or any community. The recognition of His sovereignty and submission to Him alone brings honour, freedom, goodness and blessings to all mankind.

For interpretation of the above quoted verse by Ibn e Kathir, please go to the link here.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

For more Selected Verses, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo Credit: Zaffar Bhatti Artist | Tafsir References: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |

An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs of the Qur'ān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.  

In addition, references of other sources which have been explored have also been given above. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites.

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