الأنفال

THEY ASK YOU of (benefits accruing as) spoils of war. Tell them: "The benefits belong to God and His Messenger." So fulfil your duty to God and keep peace among yourselves. Obey God and the Prophet, If you really believe.

Only they are true believers whose hearts fill up with awe when the name of God is mentioned; and their faith is further strengthened when His messages are read out to them; and those who place their trust in their Lord,

Who are firm in devotion, and spend of what We have given them,

Are true believers. There are for them (high) ranks with their Lord, and pardon and noble provision.

As your Lord sent you from your home (to fight) for the true cause, a section of the faithful were averse,

Who argued with you about the matter even after it had become quite clear, as if they were being pushed into (the arms of) death as they waited.

Though God promised that one of two columns (would fall to you), you desired the one that was not armed. But God wished to confirm the truth by His words, and wipe the unbelievers out to the last,

So that Truth may be affirmed and falsehood negated, even though the sinners be averse.

Remember when you prayed to your Lord for help, He heard you and said: "I shall send a thousand angels following behind you for your aid."

He gave you the good news only to reassure your hearts, for victory comes from God alone, and certainly God is all-mighty and all-wise.

A blanketing sleep came over you as a (measure of) security from Him, and He sent down rain from the skies to cleanse you, and to remove the plague of Satan, and to strengthen your hearts and steady your steps.

And the Lord said to the angels: "I am with you; go and strengthen the faithful. I shall fill the hearts of infidels with terror. So smite them on their necks and every joint, (and incapacitate them),"

For they had opposed God and His Apostle; but whosoever opposes God and his Apostle (should know) that God is severe in retribution.

For you is this (punishment) to taste, for the infidels the torment of Hell.

O believers, when you meet unbelievers on the field of battle, do not turn your backs to them.

For any one who turns his back on that day, except to manoeuvre or rally to his side, will bring the wrath of God on himself, and have Hell as abode; and what an evil destination!

It was not you who killed them, but God did so. You did not throw what you threw, (sand into the eyes of the enemy at Badr), but God, to bring out the best in the faithful by doing them a favour of His own. God is all-hearing and all-knowing.

That was that, but remember God will make the plots of the unbelievers contemptible.

You had asked for a judgement, so the judgement has come to you (In the form of victory for the faithful). So, if you desist it will be better for you. If you come back to it, We shall do the same, and your forces, however large, will not be of the least avail, for God is with those who believe.

O believers, obey God and His Messenger, and do not turn away from him when you hear (him speak);

And do not be like those who say: "We have heard," but do not hear.

The worst of creatures in the eyes of God are those who are deaf and dumb and devoid of sense.

If God had seen any good in them He would surely have made them hear. Now even if He makes them hear they will turn away (in obduracy).

O believers, respond to the call of God and His Prophet when he calls you to what will give you life (and preservation). Remember that God intervenes between man and his heart, and that you will be gathered before Him.

Beware of sedition, which does not affect the oppressors alone among you, and know that the punishment of God is severe.

Remember, when you were few and powerless in the land, afraid of despoliation at the hands of men. But then God sheltered and helped you to strength, and provided for you good things that you may perhaps be grateful.

O you who believe, do not be faithless to God and His Apostle, nor violate your trusts knowingly.

Know that your worldly possessions and your children are just a temptation, and that God has greater rewards with Him.

O believers, if you follow the path shown by God, He will give you a standard (of right and wrong), and overlook your sins, and forgive you. God is abounding in benevolence.

Remember, when the infidels contrived to make you a prisoner or to murder or expel you, they plotted, but God also planned; and God's plan is the best.

When Our messages were read out to them, they said: "We have heard. We could certainly compose (writings) like them if we choose. They are but only tales of long ago."

They had also said: "If this be the truth from you, O God, then rain down on us stones from the skies, or inflict a grievous punishment upon us."

But God would not choose to punish them while you are in their midst, nor afflict them when they are seeking forgiveness.

But what is there so special they have that God should not punish them when they obstruct people from the Holy Mosque, though they are not its (appointed) guardians? Its guardians could be only those who are pious and devout. But most of them do not know.

Their worship in the House of God has been no more than whistling and clapping. So they have to taste the punishment for disbelief.

Those who disbelieve spend their possessions on turning men away from God. They will go on spending and rue it in the end, and will be subdued. But those who remain disbelievers shall be gathered into Hell

That God may separate the bad from the good, and link the wicked together and cast them into Hell. These are verily the people who will lose.

You tell the unbelievers in case they desist whatever has happened will be forgiven them. If they persist, they should remember the fate of those who have gone before them.

So, fight them till all opposition ends, and obedience is wholly God's. If they desist then verily God sees all they do.

But if they are obstinate, know that God is your helper and protector: How excellent a helper, and how excellent a protector is He!