Surah Al Anfal

Quran Chapter 8

In the name of God, the Gracious, the Merciful.

1They ask you about the spoils. Say, “The spoils belong to God and the Messenger.” So fear God, settle your disputes, and obey God and His Messenger, if you are believers.

2The believers are those whose hearts tremble when God is mentioned, whose faith is strengthened when His verses are recited to them, and who trust their Lord.

3Those who perform the prayers and spend from what We provide for them.

4These are the true believers. They have elevated ranks with their Lord, forgiveness, and a generous provision.

5Just as your Lord brought you out of your home truthfully, despite the reluctance of some believers.

6They argued with you about the truth after it had become clear, as if they were driven towards death while they looked on.

7God promised you that one of the two parties would be yours, but you wished the unarmed one would be yours. However, God wanted to establish the truth by His words, and to root out the unbelievers.

8To confirm the truth and to nullify falsehood, even if the guilty hate it.

9Recall when you implored your Lord for help, He responded, “I am sending you a thousand angels in ranks.”

10God made this but good news, and an assurance to your hearts. Victory comes only from God. God is Mighty and Wise.

11He caused drowsiness to overcome you, granting you tranquility from Himself. He sent down rain from the sky to purify you, to rid you of Satan’s pollution, to strengthen your hearts, and to steady your steps.

12Your Lord inspired the angels: “I am with you, so firm up those who believe. I will instill terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Strike at the necks, and strike off every fingertip of theirs.”

13This is because they defied God and His Messenger. Whoever defies God and His Messenger—surely, God is severe in retribution.

14“This is yours, so taste it.” And for the unbelievers is the punishment of the Fire.

15O you who believe, when you confront the unbelievers on the march, never turn your backs to them.

16On that day, whoever turns their back to them—unless maneuvering for battle or intending to join another group—has incurred wrath from God, and his abode is Hell, a most terrible destination.

17You didn’t kill them, but it was God who killed them. And you threw not when you threw, but it was God who threw—to test the believers with a good test from Him. God is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.

18Thus, God thwarts the schemes of the unbelievers.

19If you seek victory, victory has indeed come to you. If you cease, it’s better for you, but if you return, We too will return. Your forces won’t avail you at all, even if they are numerous. God is with the believers.

20O you who believe, obey God and His Messenger, and don’t turn away from him while you listen.

21And don’t be like those who say, “We hear,” but they listen not.

22The worst of creatures in the sight of God are the deaf and dumb who don’t understand.

23If God had found any goodness in them, He would’ve made them hear. Yet, even if He had, they would still have turned away in defiance.

24O you who believe, respond to God and the Messenger when he calls you to what gives you life. And know that God intervenes between a person and his heart, and that to Him you will be gathered.

25And fear a trial that doesn’t exclusively affect the wrongdoers among you, and know that God’s retribution is severe.

26And remember when you were few, weak in the land, fearing that people might abduct you. Then he sheltered you, strengthened you with His victory, and supplied you with good things, so you could express gratitude.

27O you who believe, don’t betray God and the Messenger, nor betray your trusts while you know.

28Know that your possessions and your children are a test, and that with God, there is a great reward.

29O you who believe, if you fear God, He will grant you discernment, purify you of your sins, and forgive you. God is of abundant bounty.

30Remember when those who disbelieve planned against you, to capture, to kill, or to expel you. They planned, and God planned; but God is the best of planners.

31When Our revelations are recited to them, they say, “We’ve heard. If we wanted, we could say the same; these are nothing but myths of the ancients.”

32They also say, “O God, if this is the truth from You, then rain down stones from the sky upon us, or inflict upon us a harsh punishment.”

33God would not punish them while you are among them, nor would God punish them while they are seeking forgiveness.

34Why should God not punish them, when they block access to the Sacred Mosque, even though they weren’t its rightful guardians? Its true guardians are the pious, but most don’t know.

35Their prayers at the House are nothing more than whistling and clapping. So, taste the punishment for having disbelieved.

36Those who disbelieve squander their wealth to deter people from God’s path. They will continue to spend it, then it will become a source of regret for them. Eventually, they will be defeated, and the unbelievers will be gathered in Hell.

37In order that God may distinguish the wicked from the good, stack the wicked upon each other, bundle them together, and cast them into Hell. These are the losers.

38Tell the disbelievers: if they desist, what has passed will be forgiven them. But if they resume, the precedent of the ancients has already been established.

39Fight them until there is no more oppression and religion belongs wholly to God. But if they cease, then God sees well all that they do.

40Should they turn away, then know that God is your Protector. An excellent Protector and an excellent Helper.

41Know that whatever spoils you acquire, a fifth of it is for God, the Messenger, the relatives, the orphans, the needy, and the refugees, provided you believe in God and in what We revealed to Our servant on the Day of Decisiveness—the day the two forces clashed. God has power over all things.

42When you were on the near bank, they were on the far bank, and the caravan was below you. Had you made a mutual appointment, you would’ve failed to keep it. But God intended to accomplish a predestined matter, so that those who perished would perish by clear evidence, and those who survived would survive by clear evidence. God is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.

43When God made them appear few in your dream. Had He shown them to you as numerous, you would’ve faltered and would’ve disputed in the matter. But God saved the situation. He knows what lies within hearts.

44When you confronted them, He made them appear fewer in your eyes, and made you appear fewer in their eyes, so that God might accomplish a matter already destined. To God, all matters are returned.

45O you who believe! When you meet a detachment, stand firm and remember God much, so you may succeed.

46Obey God and His Messenger, and don’t quarrel, lest you fail and your momentum dissipates. And be patient; God is with the patient.

47Don’t be like those who left their homes boastfully, to be seen by people, and to obstruct God’s path. God encompasses what they do.

48Satan made their deeds seem attractive to them, and said, “No one among the people can defeat you today, and I am by your side.” But, when the two parties sighted each other, he withdrew on his heels and said, “I am innocent of you; I see what you don’t see; I fear God, and God is severe in penalty.”

49The hypocrites and those with sick hearts said, “Their religion deluded these people.” But whoever relies on God—God is Mighty and Wise.

50If only you could see, when the angels take the souls of those who disbelieve, striking their faces and their backs: “Taste the suffering of the Blaze.”

51This is because of what your hands sent ahead, and God is not unjust to the beings.

52Similar to the situation of Pharaoh’s people and those before them. They denied God’s signs, so God seized them for their sins. God is powerful and severe in penalty.

53This is because God would not change a blessing He bestowed upon a people until they change what’s within themselves. God is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.

54Similar to the situation of Pharaoh’s people and those before them. They rejected their Lord’s signs, so We destroyed them for their sins, and We drowned Pharaoh’s people. They were all wrongdoers.

55The worst living creatures in God’s sight are those who disbelieve; they won’t believe.

56Those with whom you’ve made a treaty, yet they breach their agreement every time—they aren’t righteous.

57If you encounter them in battle, make them a fearsome example for others who follow them, so they may take heed.

58If you fear betrayal from a people, throw back to them on equal terms. God doesn’t love the deceitful.

59Let not the unbelievers assume they are ahead. They won’t cause failure.

60Prepare against them all the forces and cavalry you can muster, to frighten thereby God’s enemies and your enemies, and others besides them unknown to you, but known to God. Whatever you spend in God’s way will be repaid to you fully, and you won’t be wronged.

61And if they incline towards peace, incline towards it, and trust in God. Indeed He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.

62If they intend to deceive you, then God is sufficient for you. It is He who supported you with His help and with the believers.

63And He united their hearts. Had you spent all that’s on earth, you couldn’t have united their hearts, but God united them. He is Mighty and Wise.

64O Prophet, suffice yourself with God and the believers who follow you.

65O Prophet, rouse the believers to fight. If there are among you twenty who are steadfast, they will defeat two hundred. And if there are a hundred of you, they will defeat a thousand of the unbelievers, for they are a people void of understanding.

66Now, God has lightened your burden, knowing that you have a weakness. If there are a hundred steadfast among you, they will defeat two hundred. And if there are a thousand of you, they will defeat two thousand by God’s permission. God is with the patient.

67It’s not for a prophet to take captives until he has thoroughly subdued the land. You desire the goods of this world, while God desires the Hereafter. God is Mighty and Wise.

68Were it not for a prior decree from God, a severe punishment would’ve touched you for what you’ve taken.

69So consume what you’ve gained, lawful and good, and remain conscious of God. God is Forgiving and Merciful.

70O Prophet, say to those who are captives in your custody, “If God knows any good in your hearts, He will give you something better than what was taken from you, and He will forgive you. God is Forgiving and Merciful.”

71If they intend to betray you, they have previously betrayed God, and He overpowered them. God is Knowing and Wise.

72Those who believed, emigrated, and striven in God’s way with their wealth and lives and those who provided shelter and assistance are allies of one another. However, for those who believed and didn’t emigrate, you owe them no protection until they emigrate. However, if they seek your assistance in faith, then you should support them, except against a people with whom you have a treaty. God observes all your actions.

73The unbelievers are allies of one another. If you don’t do the same, there will be turmoil on earth and great corruption.

74Those who believed, emigrated, and striven for God’s cause and those who provided shelter and aid are the true believers. For them is forgiveness and a generous provision.

75As for those who have believed later, emigrated, and struggled alongside you, they are of you. However, according to the book of God, blood relations have precedence. God has knowledge of all things.