Surah Al-Anfal – Ayah No. 15-19

Surah Al-Anfal – Ayah # 15-19 (8:15–19)

A.   TRANSLATION

 

 

١٥  يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا لَقِيتُمُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا زَحْفًا فَلَا تُوَلُّوهُمُ الْأَدْبَارَ

[Quran 8:15] O you who Amanu (آمَنُوا) when to Qeetumu (لَقِيتُمُ) those who Kafaru (كَفَرُوا) Zahfan (زَحْفًا) then not You Waluhum (تُوَلُّوهُمُ) them the Adbara (الْأَدْبَارَ).

 

١٦  وَمَنْ يُوَلِّهِمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ دُبُرَهُ إِلَّا مُتَحَرِّفًا لِقِتَالٍ أَوْ مُتَحَيِّزًا إِلَىٰ فِئَةٍ فَقَدْ بَاءَ بِغَضَبٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَمَأْوَاهُ جَهَنَّمُ ۖ وَبِئْسَ الْمَصِيرُ

[Quran 8:16] And whoever Wallihim (يُوَلِّهِمْ) them Yoummaezin (يَوْمَئِذٍ) Duburahu (دُبُرَهُ) except Mutaharrifan (مُتَحَرِّفًا) so that to Qitaalin (لِقِتَالٍ) or Mutahiyyazin (مُتَحَيِّزًا) to Fiatin (فِئَةٍ). Then, for them is nothing but Baa (بَاءَ) with Ghazabin (بِغَضَبٍ) of Allah and Mawaahu (وَمَأْوَاهُ) Jahanamu (جَهَنَّمُ). And Baisa (وَبِئْسَ) the Mas’eeru (الْمَصِيرُ).

 

١٧  فَلَمْ تَقْتُلُوهُمْ وَلَٰكِنَّ اللَّهَ قَتَلَهُمْ ۚ وَمَا رَمَيْتَ إِذْ رَمَيْتَ وَلَٰكِنَّ اللَّهَ رَمَىٰ ۚ وَلِيُبْلِيَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْهُ بَلَاءً حَسَنًا ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ

[Quran 8:17] And not you QataIuhum (تَقْتُلُوهُمْ) them but Allah Qatalahum (قَتَلَهُمْ) them- and what Ramayta (رَمَيْتَ) when Ramayta (رَمَيْتَ) but Allah Ramaa (رَمَىٰ)- and so that to Baliya (وَلِيُبْلِيَ) the Mominina (الْمُؤْمِنِينَ) from it Bala-an (بَلَاءً) Hasanan (حَسَنًا)- Indeed, Allah Samiu’n (سَمِيعٌ) A’limun (عَلِيمٌ).

 

١٨  ذَٰلِكُمْ وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ مُوهِنُ كَيْدِ الْكَافِرِينَ

[Quran 8:18] That is and indeed Allah Muhinu (مُوهِنُ) Kaydi (كَيْدِ) the Kafirina (الْكَافِرِينَ).

 

١٩  إِنْ تَسْتَفْتِحُوا فَقَدْ جَاءَكُمُ الْفَتْحُ ۖ وَإِنْ تَنْتَهُوا فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ ۖ وَإِنْ تَعُودُوا نَعُدْ وَلَنْ تُغْنِيَ عَنْكُمْ فِئَتُكُمْ شَيْئًا وَلَوْ كَثُرَتْ وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ

[Quran 8:19] If you let Fattehu (تَسْتَفْتِحُوا), then indeed, Jaakumu (جَاءَكُمُ) the Fatihu (الْفَتْحُ). And if you (تَنْتَهُوا) then it khayrun (خَيْرٌ) for you. And if you A’udu (تَعُودُوا) Na’ud (نَعُدْ) and never you Ganiya (تُغْنِيَ) upon you, then Fiatukum (فِئَتُكُمْ) you Shaynun (شَيْئًا) and if Kas’urat (كَثُرَتْ) and indeed, Allah with the Muminina (الْمُؤْمِنِينَ).

 

B.   THE CONCEPT:

THE CONTEXT

The earlier Ayahs of Surah Al-Anfaal, taught us the Basic Nature of Humanity and the Purpose of Allah’s Message: These ayahs talk about two important aspects 1) The basic nature of humanity: When people experience peace and security, they enter into a phase of stagnation, lethargy and inactivity, breeding Rijzan Shaytan behaviors. Thus, such extreme Kufar and blind followings make them vulnerable to being influenced by Shayt’aan and becoming susceptible to its impacts. And 2) The purpose of Allah’s message: In such situations, Allah’s message and Hidayah are the only source of life, which can enable people to escape from the clutches of Rijzan Shayt’aan, to become lawful and law abiding by putting their trusts on the system of Allah, Allah’s Deen and message. With the help of Allah’s message as the source of life for us, we can strengthen and make firm our efforts, endeavors and work towards the directions of becoming Momineen, and avoiding Kufar.

 

Momineen Established as Ru’ob Over Kaafireen: The basic aim of Allah’s system, based on Malaik; the forces and laws of nature, is to support and strength those who Amanu, who use their intellect to seek knowledge, and utter conviction on Allah’s system, uphold their covenant with Allah, and are peaceful members of the community. Malaik establish Momimeen as intimidating authority, commanding status over those who do Kufar, who hide their intellect, remain ungrateful, deny and reject Allah’s Ayaahs and remain blind follower of their traditions and customs. This authoritative position of Momineen over Kaafireen is established through people’s perceptions and intentional decisions- both of Momineen as those who Amanu and Kaafireen as those who do Kufar.

 

The Concept of Shiqaaq and It’s perfect Retribution: The Quran’s divine guidance, expressed through multiple ayahs, states that there is no distinction between Allah and His Rasool and Risalat. Emaan on Allah’s Nabi and Rasool is based on Emaan without Nufriq, distinction, or difference. Shiqaaq refers to opposition, disagreement, rebellion, and extreme dissention and thus in the concept of Shiqaaq as explained through these ayahs, Allah refers to those who aim to create distinction between Allah and Allah’s Rasool, creating two separate sources of Deen: 1) Allah’s Message and 2) Rasool’s message. This creates Shiqaaq- splitting, resentment, opposition, disagreement, and dissent. The split and dissension created by these people allows Allah’s perfect system of cause and effect and retribution to result in punishments and sufferings for those who do Kufar, blindly follow, remain ungrateful and commits acts of Shiqaaq. Thus, they face hell-like punishments and sufferings as perfect retribution for these actions.

 

CONCEPT OF THESE AYAHS

Ayah 8:15, “O you who Amanu (آمَنُوا) when to Qeetumu (لَقِيتُمُ) those who Kafaru (كَفَرُوا) Zahfan (زَحْفًا) then not You Waluhum (تُوَلُّوهُمُ) them the Adbara (الْأَدْبَارَ).”

 

O you who those who use their intellect to seek knowledge, to be at utter conviction and be in peace (آمَنُوا) that whenever you witness, the molding, manufacturing, forming, delivering, presenting, or casting (لَقِيتُمُ) of those who are proud and arrogant, who hide and do not use their intellect, who blindly follow others, who remain ungrateful and state of war with others (كَفَرُوا) in an advancing, marching manner (زَحْفًا), then you should not transform, convert, take or turn to (تُوَلُّوهُمُ) as your powers, resources, ways and means of providing strength and stability (الْأَدْبَارَ).

 

Keeping in consideration the context of earlier Ayahs, especially the purpose of the Divine message, the concept of Shiqaaq, and its perfect retribution for the Kaafireen. These ayahs now address the Momineen, in this background, addressing specifically to those who Amanu, who those who use their intellect to seek knowledge, to be at utter conviction and be at state of peace and harmony with others. The divine guidance for the Momineen is that whenever we witness, the forming, delivering, presenting, or casting of those who do Kufar, who are proud and arrogant, who hide and do not use their intellect, who blindly follow others, who remain ungrateful and in a state of war with others, as advancing and marching in the state of their Kufar, we should never take, consider or turn to these acts, systems, aspects, laws or people of Kufar as part of our powers, resources, ways and means that can provide strength and stability for us.

 

Ayah 8:16, “And whoever Wallihim (يُوَلِّهِمْ) them Yoummaezin (يَوْمَئِذٍ) Duburahu (دُبُرَهُ) except Mutaharrifan (مُتَحَرِّفًا) so that to Qitaalin (لِقِتَالٍ) or Mutahiyyazin (مُتَحَيِّزًا) to Fiatin (فِئَةٍ). Then, for them is nothing but Baa (بَاءَ) with Ghazabin (بِغَضَبٍ) of Allah and Mawaahu (وَمَأْوَاهُ) Jahanamu (جَهَنَّمُ). And Baisa (وَبِئْسَ) the Mas’eeru (الْمَصِيرُ).”

 

And whoever transform, convert, take or turn to (يُوَلِّهِمْ) their well-known aspects (يَوْمَئِذٍ) their powers, resources, ways and means of providing strength and stability for themselves (دُبُرَهُ) except deviate, distort, change, corrupt (مُتَحَرِّفًا) so that towards their destruction and obliteration (لِقِتَالٍ) or to carry out advocacy, and giving of support for the cause of (مُتَحَيِّزًا) towards waging a war against them in aggressive, hard hitting, uncompromising, hostile, forceful, destructive and forthcoming fight (فِئَةٍ). Then, indeed then for them is nothing except that they incur, draw upon themselves (بَاءَ) with destruction, sufferings and humiliation due to their own actions and due to disconnection from the system (بِغَضَبٍ) of Allah and surrounded by all sides (وَمَأْوَاهُ) hell, everlasting punishment (جَهَنَّمُ). And earning or facing extreme difficulty, hardship, illness, sufferings, adversity, sadness, grief, misery, and poverty because of their own actions (وَبِئْسَ) the final destination (الْمَصِيرُ).

 

The earlier ayah gives divine wisdom to the Momineen, that when they witness the Kaafireen forming, developing progressing and advancing in Kufar, then the Momineen should not convert, take or consider such people as their powers, resources, ways and means of providing strength and stability for themselves. Thereafter in this Ayah, Allah gives two exceptions, to the Momineen to take, consider or convert the well-known aspects of Kufar as their powers, resources, ways and means of providing strength and stability for themselves, – which are allowed in only two situations,

1) in order to deviate, distort, change, corrupt or falsify the well-known aspects of Kufar towards their destruction and obliteration or

2) to carry out giving of support and advocacy efforts towards waging a war against them in aggressive, hard hitting, uncompromising, hostile, forceful, destructive and forthcoming fight.

 

But whoever converts, takes, or considers the well-known aspects of Kaafireen as their powers, resources, ways and means of providing strength and stability for themselves, then for such people, they should expect nothing else but that they incur, bring on, draw upon themselves destruction, sufferings and humiliation due to their own actions and due to disconnection from the system of Allah.  Thus, after giving us the explicit instructions to not convert, take, turn to or consider any well-known aspects, laws, system, people etc. of Kufar as our resources and ways and means of providing strength and stability for ourselves, this ayah is basically giving us the wisdom of what would happen if we do, in terms of being disconnected from the system of Allah, and in terms of us, facing extreme adversities, destruction and annihilation owing to such actions. The two exceptions given in this Ayah that is to allow the use, consideration, conversion of well-known aspects of Kufar as our resources, tools, ways and means of providing strength 1) in order to deviate, distort, change, corrupt or falsify the well-known aspects of Kufar towards their destruction and obliteration or 2) to carry out giving of support and advocacy efforts towards waging a war against them in aggressive, hard hitting, uncompromising, hostile, forceful, destructive and forthcoming fight. These two exceptions are ONLY to avoid the disconnection with Allah’s system, as well as to avoid destruction and sufferings. These exceptions are in no way suggestive of the divine wisdom for us as Momineen to use, convert, take or consider the well-known aspects of Kufar for these two purposes.

 

Ayah 8:17, “And not you QataIuhum (تَقْتُلُوهُمْ) them but Allah Qatalahum (قَتَلَهُمْ) them- and what Ramayta (رَمَيْتَ) when Ramayta (رَمَيْتَ) but Allah Ramaa (رَمَىٰ)- and so that to Baliya (وَلِيُبْلِيَ) the Mominina (الْمُؤْمِنِينَ) from it Bala-an (بَلَاءً) Hasanan (حَسَنًا)- Indeed, Allah Samiu’n (سَمِيعٌ) A’limun (عَلِيمٌ).”

 

And not you destroy and annihilate (تَقْتُلُوهُمْ) them but Allah destroys (قَتَلَهُمْ) them- and who/what is target and attack (رَمَيْتَ) when someone or something is targeted, accused and attacked (رَمَيْتَ) but Allah aims, targets and attacks (رَمَىٰ)- and so that to be surrounded by a situation or a condition as a trial and a test, because of which the real characteristics surface or known (وَلِيُبْلِيَ) those who Amanu, who use intellect and seek knowledge to be at utter conviction, situation of peace and harmony with others (الْمُؤْمِنِينَ) from it, to be surrounded by a situation or a condition as a trial and a test, because of which the real characteristics surface or known (بَلَاءً) such things, behaviors, conducts, events, things, etc. which are best of the best, given/received more than one’s Haqq as Inaam-with no expectations in return and are the most desirable, most pleasing to those these are being done/said to, not just to their eyes but to their whole being (حَسَنًا)- Indeed, Allah the source of all perceptions and all-perceiving (سَمِيعٌ) source of all knowledge and all-knowing (عَلِيمٌ).

 

After clarifying the two exceptions, where the well-known aspects of Kufar may be treated as one’s resources and tools for strength and stability with the basic aim to attack and target these aspects for either their destruction and obliteration or for advocacy efforts to wage an aggressive, violent, hostile and hard-hitting war on the Kaafireen; this Ayah now elaborates this divine guidance further. This the explicit instructions to the Momineen is that we should not in any shape or form, aim to destroy, or wage violent war against the Kaafireen, since its not our task/characteristics to destroy and annihilate them but in fact, it’s the task of Allah’s system which will destroy them through the perfect recompense of their own actions. Similarly, whenever we attack anyone, we are attacked as well. It’s always reciprocated and hence the divine wisdom is to simply let the system of Allah to attack, aim, or target the Kaafireen. The true test and trial for us as Momineen is for us to be surrounded by such situations, that bring out the real characteristics of us as Momineen, those who use their intellect, to seek knowledge, who are at utter and conviction with Allah, and who are at peace and harmony with others. Thus such situations, when we encounter the Kaafireen advancing and marching, are meant to bring out our real characteristics of Husn and Ahsaan only, that is our behaviors should be embodied with such things, behaviors, conducts, events, things, etc. which are best of the best, given/received more than people’s Haqq as Inaam-with no expectations in return and are the most desirable, most pleasing to those these are being done/said to, not just to their eyes but to their whole being. Since Allah’s whole system is not only the source of all perceptions and knowledge but Allah is All-perceiving and All-knowing.

 

Ayah 8:18, “That is and indeed Allah Muhinu (مُوهِنُ) Kaydi (كَيْدِ) the Kafirina (الْكَافِرِينَ).”

Ayah 8:19, “If you let Fattehu (تَسْتَفْتِحُوا), then indeed, Jaakumu (جَاءَكُمُ) the Fatihu (الْفَتْحُ). And if you (تَنْتَهُوا) then it khayrun (خَيْرٌ) for you. And if you A’udu (تَعُودُوا) Na’ud (نَعُدْ) and never you Ganiya (تُغْنِيَ) upon you, then Fiatukum (فِئَتُكُمْ) you Shaynun (شَيْئًا) and if Kas’urat (كَثُرَتْ) and indeed, Allah with the Muminina (الْمُؤْمِنِينَ).”

 

That is and indeed Allah ensures that lose energy and become less powerful, decline in vigor, and force, be incapacitated, lifeless, weakened (مُوهِنُ) planning and scheming (كَيْدِ) of those who do kufar, who are proud and arrogant, ungrateful, who are blind followers, who hide and not use their intellect and deny the Ayaat of Allah (الْكَافِرِينَ).

If you let victory (تَسْتَفْتِحُوا), then indeed, have been appointed for you (جَاءَكُمُ) the victory (الْفَتْحُ). And if you forbid, resist, or curtail (تَنْتَهُوا) then it is much better, embodied with all blessings (خَيْرٌ) for you. And if you acclimatize, familiarize  (تَعُودُوا) being enemies or oppositions for each other (نَعُدْ) but never you become self-sufficient, all resourceful and powerful (تُغْنِيَ) upon you, then being involved in any aggressive, hard-hitting, uncompromising, hostile, forceful, destructive or forthcoming activities (فِئَتُكُمْ) in anything, any manner, for any aspect, law, people or situation (شَيْئًا) even if you are in majority (كَثُرَتْ) and indeed, Allah is aligned, in agreement, synchronized, with, supports and favors (مَعَ) those who Amanu (الْمُؤْمِنِينَ).

 

After giving us, the Momineen the divine guidance to always have conducts and behaviors of Ahsan and Husan and let the system of Allah carry out the due and perfect process of requital and recompense for the Kaafireen, in this Ayah Allah is now giving us a glimpse of what that perfect recompense for Kaafireen look like. Allah’s system ensures that all planning and scheming of those who do kufar, who are proud and arrogant, ungrateful, who are blind followers, who hide and not use their intellect and deny the Ayaat of Allah, lose energy and they become weak and less powerful; that they decline in vigor, and force, and become incapacitated, lifeless and weakened. Allah then continues the divine wisdom to the Momineen that if we want to have victory over them, then indeed, Allah’s system appoints victory for us. But it’s much better and full of Allah’s blessings and Na’imat if we resist, and curtail these egoistic desires. But if we choose to acclimatize and familiarize ourselves as being enemies and opponents of the Kaafireen, then this will never result in us becoming self-sufficient, self-actualized, enlightened, resourceful and powerful through utilization of our true potential. But under no situation, should we get involved in any aggressive, hard-hitting, uncompromising, hostile, forceful, destructive or forthcoming activities in anything, and in any manner, for any aspect, law, people or situation whatsoever even if we are in the majority. We need to keep in mind that Allah’s whole system is aligned with, in agreement and synchronized with, supports and favors us. Thus, our behaviors for everyone, including kaafireen, should be embodiment of Ahsan and Husan and never of an aggressive opponent.

 

C.    LESSONS AS PER THESE AYAHS:

These Ayahs of Surah Al-Anfal give us the following divine wisdom

 

• MOMINEEN AND KAAFIREEN: Momineen are those who Amanu, who use their intellect to seek knowledge, to be at utter conviction with Allah and Allah’s system and be at the state of peace and harmony with others. Kaafireen, on the other hand, are those who do Kufar, who hide and do not use their intellect, who blindly follow others, who are proud and arrogant, who remain ungrateful and in a state of war with others.

 

• YOUM OF KUFR AS ADBAAR: Divine guidance advises Momineen not to convert or consider the well-known aspects of Kufar as their powers or resources for strength and stability. This is only allowed in two situations: causing deviation in order to destroy or supporting a war against them. Those who convert or consider these well-known aspects of Kufar as their powers, tools, sources of strength and stability, face destruction, suffering, and humiliation due to their own actions and disconnection from Allah’s system.

 

• ATTACKING OR AIMING TO DESTROY KAAFIREEN: Explicit divine instructions to the Momineen is not to destroy or wage war against Kaafireen, as it’s Allah’s system’s task which carries out the perfect recompense and requital for them. Attacking others reciprocates attacks, so divine wisdom is to let Allah’s system carry out the perfect recompense for the Kaafireen.

 

• MOMINEEN IS ONLY AHSAAN FOR OTHERS: Momineen face challenges such as situations of encountering Kaafireen advancing in Kufar. These situations are meant to bring out the real characteristics of the Momineen as their trial and test. The divine guidance for us as Momineen is only Husn and Ahsaan behaviors- that is our behaviors should be embodied with such things, behaviors, conducts, events, things, etc. which are best of the best, given/received more than people’s Haqq as Inaam-with no expectations in return and are the most desirable, most pleasing to those these are being done/said to, not just to their eyes but to their whole being.

 

• KAAFIREEN’S PERFECT RECOMPENSE: Providing a glimpse of the perfect recompense for Kaafireen, it’s Allah’s system that ensures that those who do kufar, who are proud, arrogant, ungrateful, blind followers, and deny the Ayaat of Allah, lose energy and become weak and less powerful. On the other hand, our behaviors for everyone, including kaafireen, should be embodiment of Ahsan and Husan and never of an aggressive opponent.

 

• TO RESIST OUR EGOISTIC DESIRES IS KHAIR: The divine wisdom advises Momineen to resist egoistic desires to undertake opposition of Kaafireen for victory. Since this will not lead to self-sufficiency, enlightenment, and power. Even when we decide to embrace the opposition, Momineen should avoid aggressive, hostile, forceful and destructive activities, even if they are in majority. Allah’s system supports and favors the Momineen, so it’s essential to align with and support our true potential which can only be achieved through behaviors of Ahsan.

 

Footnotes:

D.  THE KEY-WORD VOCABULARY:

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