A Qur'an-Alone Commentary (Sura 8)
-
This is a commentary from the "Qur'an-aloner" perspective. It presents interpretations of all ayat relevant to the argument. I have altered the previous ones slightly and they can be found here
Sura 1 & 2
http//allpoetry.com/column/show/2364504mSura 3
http//allpoetry.com/column/show/2364515Sura 4
http//allpoetry.com/column/show/2364524Sura 5
http//allpoetry.com/column/show/2364530Sura 6
http//allpoetry.com/column/show/2364611Sura 7
http//allpoetry.com/column/2364615Sura 8 (this one)
http//allpoetry.com/column/show/2364623Prayer according to the Qur'an alone
http//allpoetry.com/column/2364536Feel free to copy, paste and use as you wish.
?They ask you about the windfalls. Say The windfalls are for Allah and the Messenger. So be careful of Allah and set aright matters of your difference, and obey Allah and His Messenger if you are believers.?
1
Since we know that the spoils are not all entirely for Muhammad (SAW) individually and that they are not all entirely for Allah (SWT) individually (841, 869), ?Allah and the Messenger? cannot reasonably refer to Allah (SWT) represented by the Qur?an plus Muhammad (SAW) represented by ?his sunna?. The ayat are stating that the victory was in the name of Allah SWT and that the disposal of windfalls is the privilege of Allah through His Messenger (i.e. the people should abide by the decision of ?Allah and the Messenger?). Now just as in 91-3 (conceptually), we know that Allah (SWT) did not consult Muhammad (SAW) regarding the disposal of spoils. Therefore ?Allah and the Messenger? refers to the will of Allah (SWT) as presented in the Qur?an. Muhammad (SAW) will implement the order by allowing and prohibiting the items according to the will of Allah (SWT) and hence circumstance (in this case they were weak) (841, 866). This verdict is shown in 841, consistent with 597 where the spoils are also to go to the orphans and the needy etc. (although people are still expected to spend benevolently (i.e. give charity) (83))
?What Allah has bestowed on His Messenger from the people of the townships,- belongs to Allah,- to His Messenger and to kindred and orphans, the needy and the wayfarer; In order that it may not make a circuit between the wealthy among you. So take what the Messenger assigns to you, and deny yourselves that which he withholds from you. And fear Allah; for Allah is strict in Punishment.?
597
As we see, the spoils are restored to the Messenger (by the decree of Allah (SWT)) so that he can distribute it according to the Will of Allah (SWT). For this reason we are ordered to take what he gives us and forsake what he withholds (according to Allah?s (SWT) criterion/verdict by which he decides (i.e. abides)). This is an example of the Messenger judging by the Qur?an (544-50). Community leaders are expected to do this too.
?Those only are believers whose hearts become full of fear when Allah is mentioned, and when His communications are recited to them they increase them in faith, and in their Lord do they trust.?
2
Confirming that ayah 1 is a Qur?anic verdict.
?They disputed with you about the truth after it had become clear, as if they were being driven to death while they saw .?
6
Muhammad (SAW) is to be obeyed as the conveyor of Allah?s (SWT) will.
?This is because they acted adversely to Allah and His Messenger; and whoever acts adversely to Allah and His Messenger-- then surely Allah is severe in requiting .?
13
See the notes for 331-32, 480 and 81.
?So you did not slay them, but it was Allah Who slew them, and you did not smite when you smote , but it was Allah Who smote, and that He might confer upon the believers a good gift from Himself; surely Allah is Hearing, Knowing.?
17
What we do, what we learn and what we are inspired with are by Allah?s (SWT) will.
?O you who believe! obey Allah and His Messenger and do not turn back from Him while you hear. And be not like those who said, We hear, and they did not obey.
20-21
The phrase ?while you hear? suggests that to obey Allah and His Messenger is to obey the Revelation. See 2451
?The response of the believers, when they are invited to Allah and His Messenger that he may judge between them, is only to say We hear and we obey; and these it is that are the successful.?
?O you who believe! answer Allah and His Messenger when he calls you to that which gives you life; and know that Allah intervenes between man and his heart, and that to Him you shall be gathered.?
24
?Allah and His Messenger? is clearly one source since Muhammad (SAW) is represented (within the phrase ?when he calls you?) by ?Allah and His Messenger?.
?O you who believe! be not unfaithful to Allah and the Messenger, nor be unfaithful to your trusts while you know.?
27
See notes for 331-32 and 81.
?O you who believe! If you are careful of Allah, He will grant you a distinction and do away with your evils and forgive you; and Allah is the Lord of mighty grace.?
29
Now we are told to be faithful to Allah (SWT) alone. This is because everything we do is supposed to be for Allah (SWT), and not the Messenger. Obeying the Messenger as a means of carrying out Allah?s (SWT) will is a circumstantial duty.
?And when Our communications are recited to them, they say We have heard indeed; if we pleased we could say the like of it; this is nothing but the stories of the ancients.?
31
See the notes for 820-21 and 824.
?And obey Allah and His Messenger and do not quarrel for then you will be weak in hearts and your power will depart, and be patient; surely Allah is with the patient.?
46
See notes for 331-32 and 81.
?In the manner of the people of Firon and those before them; they disbelieved in Allah's communications, therefore Allah destroyed them on account of their faults; surely Allah is strong, severe in requiting .?
52
Allah?s (SWT) ayat are all we need for our religious guidance. If we do not follow them, we are misguided.
?This is because Allah has never changed a favor which He has conferred upon a people until they change their own condition; and because Allah is Hearing, Knowing.?
53
The Golden Age of Islam has ended.
?In the manner of the people of Firon and those before them; they rejected the communications of their Lord, therefore We destroyed them on account of their faults and We drowned Firon's people, and they were all unjust. Surely the vilest of animals in Allah's sight are those who disbelieve, then they would not believe.?
54-55
Allah?s (SWT) ayat are all that we need for our religious guidance. If we do not follow them, we will be misguided and at fault.
?O Prophet! Allah is sufficient for you and such of the believers as follow you.
64
See notes for 331-32 and 7158-159.
?Eat then of the lawful and good which you have acquired in war, and be careful of Allah; surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.?
69
See notes for 2172-173 and 349-50. Allah (SWT) declares what is right and wrong (allowed and forbidden). Messengers enjoin it on their peoples by delivering and following the Message (also see (notes for) 257-61). This is why the Messenger enjoins and forbids the war booty (579) (there would be much haram material in war booty).
?And those who believed afterwards and fled and struggled hard along with you, they are of you; and the possessors of relationships are nearer to each other in the ordinance of Allah; surely Allah knows all things.?
75
The ordinance of Allah (SWT) contains the true knowledge.
Khuda Hafiz