Surat Al-Anfal (the Spolis of War) Surat 8
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As Salaam Alaikum,
As you may have already read, I am starting a Quran study group.... though no one seems to have joined yet . But anyways, it doesn't matter, i'm sure at least some of you will read this anyways.
I was going to post it this in the "quran study" area, but only moderators can post there. OKay.
Well yesterday (or between some time today) we read Surat 8. This Surat talked about the spolis of war. And interesting enough, it also talked about when to start and stop fighting. To me personally, it was again a reconfirmation of how Islam is not an evil and violent religion that allows Muslims to be violent anytime. No. There are clearly rules when it comes to war. And it further proved to me how again, verses in the Quran are often taken out of context when by unbelievers and even Muslims.
I will note the following verses that stood out to me, with a bried description (THESE ARE NOT HTE COMPLETE VERSES!). What about you?
(note traditional Muslims believe that this Surat came after a war called Battle of Badr)
81-- Spoils are at the disposal of Allah and His Messenger.
82- Believers are those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a tremor in their heart, and when they hear His revelations rehearsed, they find thier faith strengthened.
83-- Believers establish regular prayer and spend freely out of the gifts which Allah has substained to them.
84-- It talks about who believers are, again.
812-- Methods of killing (PLEASE READ WHOLE SURAH BEFORE PASSING JUDGEMENT, ALLAH CLEARLY SAYS WHEN TO FIGHT AND NOT TO... you can't just kill any unebliever, this is in the case of people FIGHITNG YOU)
815-- When meeting unbelievers in a hostile array, never turn your backs
816- Desertion is haraam
839-- Fight until there is no more persecution and relgion becomes Allah's in it's entirity, but if they cease, verily ALlah doth see al they do! (As we can see most of the "jihad' that is going on today, is totally unjustifiable)
841- Division of booty and stuff.
This one really sparked something in me, it further gave me reassurance that Allah allows us to have free-will, and that it's us, our ownselves, that have control over our lives.
853- "Because Allah will never change the Grace which He hath bestowed on a people until they change what is in their (own) souls And verily Allah is He who heareth adn knoweth (all things)."
861-- When an enemy inclines towards peace do thou (also) incline towards peace and trust in Allah (some Muslims would have you believe that you keep fighting, even after people want peace... they believe in conquering the whole shabang).
872- Emigrating and seeking asylum
The last verses of Surat 8 also deal with emigrating and seeking asylum, and how we must do so (but my belief is only when we are being persecuted).
Tonight we will be reading Surat 9.
salaam
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Salaamun alaikum,
I would suggest looking at the interconnectedness of the subjects in the early part of the chapter.
They ask thee concerning (al-anfaal. Say "(such) spoils are at the disposal of God and the Apostle So fear God, and keep straight the relations between yourselves Obey God and His Apostle, if ye are mumineen (8/1)
Then, the chapter contrasts this concern with what believers should be concerned with
For, Believers are those who, when God is mentioned, feel a tremor in their hearts, and when they hear His signs rehearsed, find their faith strengthened, and put (all) their trust in their Lord;
Who establish as-salaat and spend (freely) out of the gifts We have given them for sustenance
Such in truth are the believers they have grades of dignity with their Lord, and forgiveness, and generous sustenance (8/2-4)Another thing I noticed (and many thanks to Joe The Nabi for this) is that in 8/2, the phrase 'when they hear his signs rehearsed' isnt there. What is there in Arabic is 'izaa tuliyat ayatuhu' or 'when his signs are practised' (talaa is the movement of the moon relative to the sun, 91/2).
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Peace
Here are some of my old notes on this chapter. It is incomplete.
81- An in inquiry about voluntary gifts(anfal) it is said that they are for "Allah and the Messenger". (Why?)
The root of anafal (voluntary gifts, spoils of war) is
Nafala = To give one a gift or present, give or do over and above what is commanded, present voluntary gift, give spoils or gains, divine gift without having laboured for them, give gains acquired in war, give in addition beyond dues, give something in excess of one's obligation.
If you're a Loyalist
Keep duty to Allah, Set aright differences, Obey Allah and Messenger.
82-4- The loyalists are determined as those who
Have fear at the mention of God, Increased in faith at the mention of God's messages, Trust their Rabb(Lord, Sustainer), establish Salat, Spend out of the things they are given.
The loyalists are those who encompass the above qualifications. It is said that they have in their Rabb's (Lord/Sustainer's) presence
Exalted grades, Protection, Honourable Sustenance.
85-6- The loyalists are said to have been averse to the truth, (in such a way as if it would bring harm to them) which had been made clear, when the recipient of the revelations was made by God to go forth with it.
87-8- Of the opposing parties the weaker was looked to as more fitting by the messenger to engage, however, it was God's plan to establish alhaqq(the truth) by It's words and to have 1) Truth triumph and 2) Falsehood brought down by cutting it off, it(falsehood) is the root of the disbelievers.
89-10- In seeking God's aid, the Lord eases the hearts by way of good news. God alone brings victory.
811- We are presented with a condition that God bestows upon the people by bringing calm(uhud) to bring clarity, and washing away the doubts that may persist in a person. See, satan causes the hearts to waver where God causes the mind to be still or calm and the rain is as refreshment to the people to remove or wash the doubts in their minds.This brings about a fortification of the hearts and firm feet.
Slumber - Security/Calm (Minds will be clear and steadfast)
Rain/Water - Purification (Remove the doubt brought on by Satan)
=====> Fortify your hearts and make firm your feet.812-14- Allah will make the kafireen/rejectors tremble with fear and they are to be deposed of by the believers in a manner that will cripple them for their opposition of "Allah and the Messenger" to which Allah brings severe requital/judgement. Their punishment will be the fire.
815-16- The following conditions must be met when it involves turning from an enemy you see marching for war or battle with you
(1) Manoeuvring for battle.
(2) To join a company.Otherwise one is to not turn away from them without the penalty of gaining an evil destination, hell, and Allah's wrath.
817-18- It seems that we are presented with a fact that it is God who controls the ways or the paths that we tread.
abla-hu bala-an hasan-an = "Did to him a good deed" or "Conferred a benefit on him". (Ayat 817)
Thus the path of the loyalist is one on which Allah bestows benefit, but the rejector will have his/her plots/strategems shattered
(Compare with ayat 811 where God gives calm to the loyalists that they may be with a clear mind free of doubts).819- Allah is with almu/mineen(the loyalists). The judgement is passed regarding the struggle between the loyalists and the rejectors. The rejector's forces will not do them any good no matter how large, but placing aside 'rejection' is better. Their onslaught will be met head on.
820-23- The mu/mineen are told to obey "Allah and the Messenger" and warned to not rebuke them.
Do not be like the dabbah which claim to listen and they do not. Those who are averse will not go toward even if they have listened.
Dabbah(anything that walks/creeps/crawls on the earth, moving creature) is from the following root
Dabba = To go gently, crawl, walk, flow, throw.
It seems that people who are averse can listen or not but will not heed while in a state of aversion.
Joe