Al-Anfaal- The Spoils of War

 

A Medinan Surah mainly revealed about the Battle of Badr, and completed shortly after.

 
 
1يَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الْأَنفَالِ ۖ قُلِ الْأَنفَالُ لِلَّهِ وَالرَّسُولِ ۖ فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَأَصْلِحُوا ذَاتَ بَيْنِكُمْ ۖ وَأَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ
8|1|They ask you about the bounties. Say, “The bounties are for God and the Messenger.” So be mindful of God, and settle your differences, and obey God and His Messenger, if you are believers.
 

The things collected from war are property of the Muslim government and not individuals. This is in contrast to 8:41 which explains about individuals property which a fifth is to be taxed.

 

H 13274, Ch. 62, h 4
Abu Ali al-Ash‘ariy has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn `Isma‘il has
narrated from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan from all from Safwan ibn Yahya from ibn Muskan from Muhammad al-Halabiy who has narrated
the following:
“About the words of Allah, most Blessed, most High, ‘. . . they ask you about al-Anfal (assets captured
from the enemy),’ (8:1) abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘If one dies without leaving
behind any heirs his assets become part of al-Anfal.’”

 

H 1427, Ch. 130, h 18
A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-
Husayn ibn Sa‘id from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad from Rifa‘a from Aban ibn
Taghlib from abu ‘Abd Allah, recipient of divine supreme covenant, who has
said the following:
“About a man who dies without an heir the Imam, recipient of
divine supreme covenant, said, ‘To him this verse applies: “They

(the believers) ask you (Muhammad) about the booty captured
(from the enemies) during a war. Tell them, “It belongs to Allah
and the Messenger. If you have faith, have fear of Allah. Settle
the disputes among yourselves and obey Allah and His
Messenger.” (8:1)

 
2إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ اللَّهُ وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَإِذَا تُلِيَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتُهُ زَادَتْهُمْ إِيمَانًا وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ
8|2|The believers are those whose hearts tremble when God is mentioned, and when His revelations are recited to them, they strengthen them in faith, and upon their Lord they rely.
3الَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ الصَّلَاةَ وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ
8|3|Those who perform the prayer; and from Our provisions to them, they spend.
4أُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ حَقًّا ۚ لَّهُمْ دَرَجَاتٌ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ وَمَغْفِرَةٌ وَرِزْقٌ كَرِيمٌ
8|4|These are the true believers. They have high standing with their Lord, and forgiveness, and a generous provision.
5كَمَا أَخْرَجَكَ رَبُّكَ مِن بَيْتِكَ بِالْحَقِّ وَإِنَّ فَرِيقًا مِّنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ لَكَارِهُونَ
8|5|Even as your Lord brought you out of your home with the truth, some believers were reluctant.
6يُجَادِلُونَكَ فِي الْحَقِّ بَعْدَمَا تَبَيَّنَ كَأَنَّمَا يُسَاقُونَ إِلَى الْمَوْتِ وَهُمْ يَنظُرُونَ
8|6|Arguing with you about the truth after it was made clear, as if they were being driven to death as they looked on.
7وَإِذْ يَعِدُكُمُ اللَّهُ إِحْدَى الطَّائِفَتَيْنِ أَنَّهَا لَكُمْ وَتَوَدُّونَ أَنَّ غَيْرَ ذَاتِ الشَّوْكَةِ تَكُونُ لَكُمْ وَيُرِيدُ اللَّهُ أَن يُحِقَّ الْحَقَّ بِكَلِمَاتِهِ وَيَقْطَعَ دَابِرَ الْكَافِرِينَ
8|7|God has promised you one of the two groups—that it would be yours—but you wanted the unarmed group to be yours. God intends to prove the truth with His words, and to uproot the disbelievers.
8لِيُحِقَّ الْحَقَّ وَيُبْطِلَ الْبَاطِلَ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْمُجْرِمُونَ
8|8|In order to confirm the truth and nullify falsehood, even though the guilty dislike it.
9إِذْ تَسْتَغِيثُونَ رَبَّكُمْ فَاسْتَجَابَ لَكُمْ أَنِّي مُمِدُّكُم بِأَلْفٍ مِّنَ الْمَلَائِكَةِ مُرْدِفِينَ
8|9|When you appealed to your Lord for help, He answered you, “I am reinforcing you with one thousand angels in succession.”
10وَمَا جَعَلَهُ اللَّهُ إِلَّا بُشْرَىٰ وَلِتَطْمَئِنَّ بِهِ قُلُوبُكُمْ ۚ وَمَا النَّصْرُ إِلَّا مِنْ عِندِ اللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ
8|10|God only made it a message of hope, and to set your hearts at rest. Victory comes only from God. God is Mighty and Wise.
11إِذْ يُغَشِّيكُمُ النُّعَاسَ أَمَنَةً مِّنْهُ وَيُنَزِّلُ عَلَيْكُم مِّنَ السَّمَاءِ مَاءً لِّيُطَهِّرَكُم بِهِ وَيُذْهِبَ عَنكُمْ رِجْزَ الشَّيْطَانِ وَلِيَرْبِطَ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِكُمْ وَيُثَبِّتَ بِهِ الْأَقْدَامَ
8|11|He made drowsiness overcome you, as a security from Him. And He sent down upon you water from the sky, to cleanse you with it, and to rid you of Satan’s pollution, and to fortify your hearts, and to strengthen your foothold.
 

H 11866, Ch. 8, h 2
Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Qasim ibn Yahya from his grandfather al-Hassan ibn
Rashid from abu Basir who has said the following:
“Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has stated this Hadith. ‘`Amir al-Mu’minin has said, ‘You should
drink of the water of the sky, it cleanses the body and removes illnesses as Allah, most Majestic, most
Glorious, has said, “He sends water from the sky to cleanse you with it and remove the filth of Satan
from you and to make your hearts firmly related and to make you steadfast.” (8:11)’”

 
12إِذْ يُوحِي رَبُّكَ إِلَى الْمَلَائِكَةِ أَنِّي مَعَكُمْ فَثَبِّتُوا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ۚ سَأُلْقِي فِي قُلُوبِ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا الرُّعْبَ فَاضْرِبُوا فَوْقَ الْأَعْنَاقِ وَاضْرِبُوا مِنْهُمْ كُلَّ بَنَانٍ
8|12|Your Lord inspired the angels: “I am with you, so support those who believe. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. So strike above the necks, and strike off every fingertip of theirs.”
13ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ شَاقُّوا اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ ۚ وَمَن يُشَاقِقِ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ
8|13|That is because they opposed God and His Messenger. Whoever opposes God and His Messenger—God is severe in retribution.
14ذَٰلِكُمْ فَذُوقُوهُ وَأَنَّ لِلْكَافِرِينَ عَذَابَ النَّارِ
8|14|“Here it is; so taste it.” For the disbelievers there is the suffering of the Fire.
 
Some critics of Islam point to verses 8:12-14 as saying “look, Islam wants to kill anyone who disagrees and is violent”. The reality is that these verses were revealed regarding the intolerant polytheists and atheists who were trying to massacre the Muslims. They were planing to kill all of the Muslims, women, the old, the children etc. They marched for days to reach the Muslims and they attacked at the battle of Badr. These verses were revealed in relation to that battle, where the Muslims need to repel the attacks of the intolerant enemies of Islam. It is not possible to say this is Islam’s position against anyone who has a religion other than Islam, as we know from the treaty of Medina and Hudaybiyyah that Islam is happy to exist alongside other faiths.
 
15يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا لَقِيتُمُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا زَحْفًا فَلَا تُوَلُّوهُمُ الْأَدْبَارَ
8|15|O you who believe! When you meet those who disbelieve on the march, never turn your backs on them.
16وَمَن يُوَلِّهِمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ دُبُرَهُ إِلَّا مُتَحَرِّفًا لِّقِتَالٍ أَوْ مُتَحَيِّزًا إِلَىٰ فِئَةٍ فَقَدْ بَاءَ بِغَضَبٍ مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَمَأْوَاهُ جَهَنَّمُ ۖ وَبِئْسَ الْمَصِيرُ
8|16|Anyone who turns his back on them on that Day, except while maneuvering for battle, or to join another group, has incurred wrath from God, and his abode is Hell—what a miserable destination!
17فَلَمْ تَقْتُلُوهُمْ وَلَٰكِنَّ اللَّهَ قَتَلَهُمْ ۚ وَمَا رَمَيْتَ إِذْ رَمَيْتَ وَلَٰكِنَّ اللَّهَ رَمَىٰ ۚ وَلِيُبْلِيَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْهُ بَلَاءً حَسَنًا ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ
8|17|It was not you who killed them, but it was God who killed them. And it was not you who launched when you launched, but it was God who launched. That He may bestow upon the believers an excellent reward. God is Hearing and Knowing.
18ذَٰلِكُمْ وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ مُوهِنُ كَيْدِ الْكَافِرِينَ
8|18|Such is the case. God will undermine the strategy of the disbelievers.
19إِن تَسْتَفْتِحُوا فَقَدْ جَاءَكُمُ الْفَتْحُ ۖ وَإِن تَنتَهُوا فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ ۖ وَإِن تَعُودُوا نَعُدْ وَلَن تُغْنِيَ عَنكُمْ فِئَتُكُمْ شَيْئًا وَلَوْ كَثُرَتْ وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ
8|19|If you desire a verdict, the verdict has come to you. And if you desist, it would be best for you. And if you return, We will return; and your troops, however numerous, will not benefit you. God is with the believers.
20يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَلَا تَوَلَّوْا عَنْهُ وَأَنتُمْ تَسْمَعُونَ
8|20|O you who believe! Obey God and His Messenger, and do not turn away from him when you hear.
21وَلَا تَكُونُوا كَالَّذِينَ قَالُوا سَمِعْنَا وَهُمْ لَا يَسْمَعُونَ
8|21|And be not like those who say, “We hear,” when they do not hear.
22۞ إِنَّ شَرَّ الدَّوَابِّ عِندَ اللَّهِ الصُّمُّ الْبُكْمُ الَّذِينَ لَا يَعْقِلُونَ
8|22|The worst of animals to God are the deaf and dumb—those who do not reason.
23وَلَوْ عَلِمَ اللَّهُ فِيهِمْ خَيْرًا لَّأَسْمَعَهُمْ ۖ وَلَوْ أَسْمَعَهُمْ لَتَوَلَّوا وَّهُم مُّعْرِضُونَ
8|23|Had God recognized any good in them, He would have made them hear; and had He made them hear, they would have turned away defiantly.
24يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اسْتَجِيبُوا لِلَّهِ وَلِلرَّسُولِ إِذَا دَعَاكُمْ لِمَا يُحْيِيكُمْ ۖ وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ يَحُولُ بَيْنَ الْمَرْءِ وَقَلْبِهِ وَأَنَّهُ إِلَيْهِ تُحْشَرُونَ
8|24|O you who believe! Respond to God and to the Messenger when He calls you to what will revive you. And know that God stands between a man and his heart, and that to Him you will be gathered.
25وَاتَّقُوا فِتْنَةً لَّا تُصِيبَنَّ الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا مِنكُمْ خَاصَّةً ۖ وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ
8|25|And beware of discord which does not afflict the wrongdoers among you exclusively; and know that God is severe in retribution.
26وَاذْكُرُوا إِذْ أَنتُمْ قَلِيلٌ مُّسْتَضْعَفُونَ فِي الْأَرْضِ تَخَافُونَ أَن يَتَخَطَّفَكُمُ النَّاسُ فَآوَاكُمْ وَأَيَّدَكُم بِنَصْرِهِ وَرَزَقَكُم مِّنَ الطَّيِّبَاتِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
8|26|And remember when you were few, oppressed in the land, fearing that people may capture you; but He sheltered you, and supported you with His victory, and provided you with good things—so that you may be thankful.
27يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَخُونُوا اللَّهَ وَالرَّسُولَ وَتَخُونُوا أَمَانَاتِكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
8|27|O you who believe! Do not betray God and the Messenger, nor betray your trusts, while you know.
28وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّمَا أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَأَوْلَادُكُمْ فِتْنَةٌ وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ عِندَهُ أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ
8|28|And know that your possessions and your children are a test, and that God possesses an immense reward.
29يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِن تَتَّقُوا اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّكُمْ فُرْقَانًا وَيُكَفِّرْ عَنكُمْ سَيِّئَاتِكُمْ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ ذُو الْفَضْلِ الْعَظِيمِ
8|29|O you who believe! If you remain conscious of God, He will give you a criterion, and will remit from you your sins, and will forgive you. God is possessor of infinite grace.
30وَإِذْ يَمْكُرُ بِكَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لِيُثْبِتُوكَ أَوْ يَقْتُلُوكَ أَوْ يُخْرِجُوكَ ۚ وَيَمْكُرُونَ وَيَمْكُرُ اللَّهُ ۖ وَاللَّهُ خَيْرُ الْمَاكِرِينَ
8|30|When the disbelievers plotted against you, to imprison you, or kill you, or expel you. They planned, and God planned, but God is the Best of planners.
31وَإِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتُنَا قَالُوا قَدْ سَمِعْنَا لَوْ نَشَاءُ لَقُلْنَا مِثْلَ هَٰذَا ۙ إِنْ هَٰذَا إِلَّا أَسَاطِيرُ الْأَوَّلِينَ
8|31|And when Our revelations are recited to them, they say, “We have heard. Had we wanted, we could have said the like of this; these are nothing but myths of the ancients.”
32وَإِذْ قَالُوا اللَّهُمَّ إِن كَانَ هَٰذَا هُوَ الْحَقَّ مِنْ عِندِكَ فَأَمْطِرْ عَلَيْنَا حِجَارَةً مِّنَ السَّمَاءِ أَوِ ائْتِنَا بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ
8|32|And they said, “Our God, if this is the truth from You, then rain down on us stones from the sky, or visit us with a painful affliction.”
33وَمَا كَانَ اللَّهُ لِيُعَذِّبَهُمْ وَأَنتَ فِيهِمْ ۚ وَمَا كَانَ اللَّهُ مُعَذِّبَهُمْ وَهُمْ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ
8|33|But God would not punish them while you are amongst them. And God would not punish them as long as they seek forgiveness.
 

H 14809 – Ali, from his father, from Ibn Abu Umeyr, from Muhammad Bin Abu Hamza and
someone else, has reported the following:
Abu Abdullahasws says that the Rasool Allahsaww said: ‘There is goodness for you in
mysaww being alive and goodness for you in mysaww passing away’. So they said, ‘O
Rasool Allahsaww! As for yoursaww being alive, so we have known that. So what is
(goodness) for us in yoursaww passing away?’ Hesaww said: ‘As for mysaww being alive,
so Allahazwj Mighty and Majestic has Said: “[8:33] But Allah was not going to
chastise them while you were among them”. And as for mysaww passing away,
your deeds would get presented to mesaww, so Isaww would be seeking Forgiveness
for you’.

 
34وَمَا لَهُمْ أَلَّا يُعَذِّبَهُمُ اللَّهُ وَهُمْ يَصُدُّونَ عَنِ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ وَمَا كَانُوا أَوْلِيَاءَهُ ۚ إِنْ أَوْلِيَاؤُهُ إِلَّا الْمُتَّقُونَ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
8|34|Yet why should God not punish them, when they are turning others away from the Sacred Mosque, although they are not its custodians? Its rightful custodians are the pious; but most of them do not know.
35وَمَا كَانَ صَلَاتُهُمْ عِندَ الْبَيْتِ إِلَّا مُكَاءً وَتَصْدِيَةً ۚ فَذُوقُوا الْعَذَابَ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَكْفُرُونَ
8|35|Their prayer at the House was nothing but whistling and clapping—so taste the punishment for your blasphemy.
36إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمْ لِيَصُدُّوا عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ ۚ فَسَيُنفِقُونَهَا ثُمَّ تَكُونُ عَلَيْهِمْ حَسْرَةً ثُمَّ يُغْلَبُونَ ۗ وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا إِلَىٰ جَهَنَّمَ يُحْشَرُونَ
8|36|Those who disbelieve spend their wealth to repel from God’s path. They will spend it, then it will become a source of sorrow for them, and then they will be defeated. Those who disbelieve will be herded into Hell.
37لِيَمِيزَ اللَّهُ الْخَبِيثَ مِنَ الطَّيِّبِ وَيَجْعَلَ الْخَبِيثَ بَعْضَهُ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ فَيَرْكُمَهُ جَمِيعًا فَيَجْعَلَهُ فِي جَهَنَّمَ ۚ أُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْخَاسِرُونَ
8|37|That God may distinguish the bad from the good, and heap the bad on top of one another, and pile them together, and throw them in Hell. These are the losers.
38قُل لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا إِن يَنتَهُوا يُغْفَرْ لَهُم مَّا قَدْ سَلَفَ وَإِن يَعُودُوا فَقَدْ مَضَتْ سُنَّتُ الْأَوَّلِينَ
8|38|Say to those who disbelieve: if they desist, their past will be forgiven. But if they persist—the practice of the ancients has passed away.
39وَقَاتِلُوهُمْ حَتَّىٰ لَا تَكُونَ فِتْنَةٌ وَيَكُونَ الدِّينُ كُلُّهُ لِلَّهِ ۚ فَإِنِ انتَهَوْا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ
8|39|Fight them until there is no more persecution, and religion becomes exclusively for God. But if they desist—God is Seeing of what they do.
40وَإِن تَوَلَّوْا فَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ مَوْلَاكُمْ ۚ نِعْمَ الْمَوْلَىٰ وَنِعْمَ النَّصِيرُ
8|40|And if they turn away, know that God is your Protector. The Best Protector, and the Best Supporter.
41۞ وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّمَا غَنِمْتُم مِّن شَيْءٍ فَأَنَّ لِلَّهِ خُمُسَهُ وَلِلرَّسُولِ وَلِذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْيَتَامَىٰ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ إِن كُنتُمْ آمَنتُم بِاللَّهِ وَمَا أَنزَلْنَا عَلَىٰ عَبْدِنَا يَوْمَ الْفُرْقَانِ يَوْمَ الْتَقَى الْجَمْعَانِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
8|41|And know that whatever you gain, to God belongs a fifth, and to the Messenger, and the relatives, and the orphans, and the poor, and to the wayfarer, provided you believe in God and in what We revealed to Our servant on the Day of Testing, the day when the two armies met. God is Capable of everything.
 

The word “ghanimtum” meaning your profits/acquisitions, this can either be through trade, eg your profits from business, or can be from war, eg what you have captured from the enemy. In principle it is simply what you have after you have covered your own expenses. The preceding word is “annama” meaning whatever, rather than inna meaning only/verily, this means that both meanings , or rather all meaning of the word”ghanimtum” are to be observed, so how ever you come by profit, a fifth is due in taxation. The verse states a fifth of what you acquire is due in tax to the Muslim Government. The money belongs to Allah, the Messenger SAW, and his near family (Imams AS),  they are to be in charge of this money and run the Islamic government. In their absence the money is still owed to the Islamic government and distributed as it was in the past. The day of testing refers to the Battle of Badr.

 

H 759, Ch. 65, h 3

“Al-Hujja (solid proof of Ali’s Wilayah, his Divine Authority
over the people after the Holy Prophet), was established through
the words of the Holy Prophet and those of the Book that people
read. He still continued to express the excellence and spiritual
virtues of his family in words and explain with verses of the
Holy Quran such as: ‘People of the house, (Ahl AlBayt) Allah
wants to remove all kinds of uncleanness from you and to purify
you thoroughly.’ (33:33) ‘Take notice that whatever property
you may gain, one fifth belongs to Allah, the Messenger, the
kindred (his relatives). . .’ (8:41) ‘Give the relatives, (of the
Holy Prophet) the destitute and those who when on a journey
have become needy, their dues.’ (17:26)

 

H 1089, Ch. 108, h 12
Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from
Muhammad ibn ’Urama and Muhammad ibn ‘Abd Allah from Ali ibn Hassa’n
from ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Kathir from abu ‘Abd Allah, recipient of divine
supreme covenant, who has said the following:
“About the words of Allah, the Most High, ‘You must know
that whatever property you may gain, one fifth belongs to Allah,
the Messenger, the kindred. . . .,’ (8:41) the Imam, recipient of
divine supreme covenant, said, ‘It (the kindred) refers to Amir
al-Mu’minin Ali and ‘A’immah (Leaders with Divine Authority),
recipients of divine supreme covenant. ’”

 

 

H 8184, Ch. 7, h 1
Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from ‘Umar ibn ‘Udhaynah from Zurarah from ‘Abd al-Karim ibn
‘Utbah al-Hashimiy who has said the following:
“I was sitting in the presence of abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, in Makkah when a group of people
of al-Mu‘tazilah among whom ‘Amr ibn ‘Ubayd was present as well as Wasil ibn ‘Ata’, Hafs ibn
Salim Mawla’ ibn Hubayrah and people of their leaders came to visit. This happened during the time
when al-Walid was killed and people of al-Sham had differences among them. They spoke (about the
situation) a great deal with confusion and made it very lengthy. Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam,
said to them, ‘You have spoken a great deal and it is excessive for me. Appoint someone from among
yourselves to speak in favor of your arguments and make it short.’ They then appointed ‘Amr ibn
‘Ubayd for this task. He spoke assiduously and made it lengthy. Among other things he said, ‘People
of al-Sham have killed their Caliph, and Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, has struck one
group against the other and has scattered their affairs. We have deliberated and found a man who has
religion, reason, kindness, position and resource for Caliphate and he is Muhammad ibn ‘Abd Allah
ibn al-Hassan. We then decided to gather around him to pledge allegiance, then come with him in
public. Those who pledge allegiance with us will be of us and we will be for him. Those who stay
away from us we will keep away from him. Those who plan against us we will do Jihad and plan
against them because of their rebellion and their rejection to return them to the truth and the people of
truth. We like to present this plan before you so you will also join us; we need a person like you. It is
because of your position and the great number of your followers.’ When he finished, abu ‘Abd Allah,
‘Alayhi al-Salam, asked, ‘Are you all of the same opinion as ‘Amr is?’ They replied, ‘Yes, we are of
the same opinion.’ He (the Imam) then praised Allah and glorified Him; then asked Him to grant
salawat (favors and compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to His cause).
He then said, ‘We become angry when Allah is disobeyed but when He is obeyed we become happy.’
‘O ‘Amr, tell me if the nation will make you the person in charge of their affairs and give you
authority without fighting and expenses and said to you, “Whomever you choose to be their ruler with
authority is accepted by the nation.” Whom then would you choose for the nation?’ He replied, ‘I will
make it Shura’ (to be decided by the Muslims). He (the Imam) asked, ‘To be decided by all Muslims?’
He replied, ‘Yes, by all Muslims.’ He (the Imam) asked, ‘Will it be decided by their scholars of law
and good ones?’ He replied, ‘Yes.’ He (the Imam) asked, ‘Will such people be of Quraysh and
others?’ He replied, ‘Yes.’ He (the Imam) asked, ‘Will they be of Arab and non-Arab?’ He replied,
‘Yes.’ He (the Imam) then said, ‘O ‘Amr tell me, do you love abu Bakr and ‘Umar or denounce them?’
He replied, ‘I love them.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘But you just opposed them. What do you all say?’
They replied, ‘We love them.’ He (the Imam) then said, ‘O ‘Amr, were you to be a man who
denounced the two of them, then it would have been permissible for him to oppose them. How can you
love the two of them when you just opposed them? ‘Umar had made a covenant with abu Bakr on the
basis of which he pledged allegiance to him and he did not counsel anyone else on the issue.
Thereafter abu Bakr returned it to him (‘Umar) and did not counsel anyone in the issue. ‘Umar then
formed a council of six members. He kept all of al-Muhajirun and al-Ansar out of this council except
those six people from Quraysh. He made a will about the council to which, I think, neither you nor
your friends agree because you make a Shura’ of all Muslims.’ He asked, ‘What did he do?’ He (the
Imam) replied, ‘He commanded Suhayb to lead Salat (prayer) for the people for three days and to
consult the six people and no one else except the son of ‘Umar who consulted them but would have
had have no say in their decision. He made a will and advised those of al-Muhajirun and al-Ansar in
his presence to do this: “If three days pass before the council finish the task or pledge allegiance to a
man, you must cut off the necks of all the members of the council. If four of them agree on a plan
before three days pass but two of them oppose, you must cut off the necks of the two opposing
members of the council.” Do you accept such a plan about the council that you like all Muslims to
form?’ They replied, ‘No.’
“He (the Imam) said, ‘O ‘Amr, leave this aside. Suppose, I pledged allegiance to your friend to whom
you call me and then the nation gathered around you and no two people disagreed with you about your
plan. Then you marched against the pagans who reject al-Islam and do not pay taxes. Will there be
enough knowledge with your friend or with you with which you can deal according to the traditions of
the Messenger of Allah in the matters of the pagans and the war against them?’ He replied, ‘Yes.’ He
(the Imam) asked, ‘What will you do?’ He replied, ‘We call them to al-Islam. If they refused we tell
them to pay taxes.’ He (the Imam) asked, ‘What you will do if they will be Majus and not of the
people of the book?’ He replied, ‘They are the same.’ He (the Imam) asked, ‘Are you telling me from
al-Quran?’ He replied, ‘Yes.’ He (the Imam) asked, ‘What will you do if they were pagans of Arab
people and of idol worshippers?’ He replied, ‘They are the same.’ He (the Imam) asked,’Are you
telling me from al-Quran?’ He replied, ‘Yes.’ He (the Imam) asked read this, ‘Fight against those
people of the Book who have no faith in Allah or the Day of Judgment, who do not consider unlawful
what Allah and His Messenger have made unlawful, and who do not believe in the true religion, until
they humbly pay tax with their own hands.” (9:29)’
“He (the Imam) asked, ‘Is the exception and the stipulation of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most
Glorious, about the people of the book and those not of the people of the book the same?’ He replied,
‘Yes.’ He (the Imam) asked, ‘From whom have you learned this answer?’ He replied, ‘I have heard
people say so.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Leave this aside. Suppose they refuse to pay taxes and you fight
them, and defeat them, then how will you deal with the properties captured from them?’ He replied, ‘I
will deduct one-fifth from it and divide the remainder among those who have fought the war.’ He (the
Imam) said, ‘Tell me about the one-fifth. To whom will you give it?’ He replied, ‘I will give it to
whomever Allah has told to give.’ The narrator has said that ‘Amr then recited: ‘You must take notice
that whatever you gain one-fifth of it belongs to Allah, the Messenger, the relatives, the orphans, the
destitute and those who deplete their expenses on a journey.’ (8:41) He (the Imam) asked, ‘To who
will you give that which is for the Messenger?’ Who are relatives?’ He replied, ‘The scholars of the
law have different opinions about it. Certain ones among them say, “They are the relatives of the Holy
Prophet and his family.” Certain others say, “It is the caliph.” Still others say, “They are the relatives
of those who have taken part in the fighting.”’ He (the Imam) asked, ‘Which one do you think is it?’
He replied, ‘I do not know.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘I can see that you do not know. Leave this aside.’ He
(the Imam) then said, ‘Consider the remainder after taking one-fifth. Will you distribute it among all
the fighters?’ He replied, ‘Yes.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘In doing so you oppose the Messenger of Allah.
The decisive factor between you and I is the scholars of the law of al-Madinah and the elders. Ask
them. They have no differences on this issue. They do not dispute that the Messenger of Allah made a
truce with the Arabs. It said that they can live in their locations and must not migrate. If the enemy
will attack him they must rise and fight his enemy but they will have no share in the properties
captured from the enemy. You, however, say you will distribute it among all the fighters. In so doing
you oppose the Messenger of Allah in his dealings in everything that you have said about the pagans.
Despite this what do you say about charity?’ He (the Imam) then recited the verse to him. ‘Charity is
for the poor, the destitute, the charity collectors. . . .’ (9:60) He said, ‘That is right.’ He (the Imam)
asked, ‘How will you distribute it?’ He replied, ‘I will divide it into eight portions and give to each
category one portion thereof.’ He (the Imam) asked, ‘Will you do so even if members of one category
will be ten thousand and of the members of another category there will be only one or two or three
individuals present?’ Will you give to one individual an amount equal to what will you give to ten
thousand people?’ He replied, ‘Yes.’ He (the Imam) asked, ‘Will you collect the charities of the towns
and the city in one place and divide among them in equal portions?’ He replied, ‘Yes.’ He (the Imam)
said, ‘In doing so you oppose the Messenger of Allah in all of his dealings I have mentioned. The
Messenger of Allah would give the charities of the people of the towns to the people of the towns and
the charities of the people of the city to the people of the city. He would not distribute it among them
in equal portions. He distributed it among them according to the number of people present and
according to his discretion. He did not set about it a particular time or portion. He, according to the
needs of the people present, distributed the charities. If you have doubts about what I said you can
meet the scholars of the law of al-Madinah. They have no differences on the issue that the Messenger
of Allah would do as I said he did.’ He (the Imam) then turned to ‘Amr ibn ‘Ubayd and said, ‘You in
this group must maintain piety before Allah. You must maintain piety before Allah. My father was the
best of the people on earth. He was more knowledgeable than all of the people on earth about the book
of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, and the tradition of the Messenger of Allah. He has
said, “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever strikes people with his sword and calls them to
himself while among the Muslims there is someone more knowledgeable than he is, such person is
lost and he is a pretender.’”’

 

 
42إِذْ أَنتُم بِالْعُدْوَةِ الدُّنْيَا وَهُم بِالْعُدْوَةِ الْقُصْوَىٰ وَالرَّكْبُ أَسْفَلَ مِنكُمْ ۚ وَلَوْ تَوَاعَدتُّمْ لَاخْتَلَفْتُمْ فِي الْمِيعَادِ ۙ وَلَٰكِن لِّيَقْضِيَ اللَّهُ أَمْرًا كَانَ مَفْعُولًا لِّيَهْلِكَ مَنْ هَلَكَ عَن بَيِّنَةٍ وَيَحْيَىٰ مَنْ حَيَّ عَن بَيِّنَةٍ ۗ وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَسَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ
8|42|Recall when you were on the nearer bank, and they were on the further bank, and the caravan was below you. Had you planned for this meeting, you would have disagreed on the timing, but God was to carry out a predetermined matter, so that those who perish would perish by clear evidence, and those who survive would survive by clear evidence. God is Hearing and Knowing.
 

8:42 and 44 the victory of Muslims was a predetermined matter. We are aware there is a balance between free will and determinism. Individuals have free will, but the religion was planned to be successful.

 

43إِذْ يُرِيكَهُمُ اللَّهُ فِي مَنَامِكَ قَلِيلًا ۖ وَلَوْ أَرَاكَهُمْ كَثِيرًا لَّفَشِلْتُمْ وَلَتَنَازَعْتُمْ فِي الْأَمْرِ وَلَٰكِنَّ اللَّهَ سَلَّمَ ۗ إِنَّهُ عَلِيمٌ بِذَاتِ الصُّدُورِ
8|43|God made them appear in your dream as few. Had He made them appear as many, you would have lost heart, and disputed in the matter. But God saved the situation. He knows what the hearts contain.
44وَإِذْ يُرِيكُمُوهُمْ إِذِ الْتَقَيْتُمْ فِي أَعْيُنِكُمْ قَلِيلًا وَيُقَلِّلُكُمْ فِي أَعْيُنِهِمْ لِيَقْضِيَ اللَّهُ أَمْرًا كَانَ مَفْعُولًا ۗ وَإِلَى اللَّهِ تُرْجَعُ الْأُمُورُ
8|44|When you met, He made them appear as few in your eyes, and made you appear fewer in their eyes, so that God may conclude a predetermined matter. To God all matters revert.
45يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا لَقِيتُمْ فِئَةً فَاثْبُتُوا وَاذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ
8|45|O you who believe! When you meet a force, stand firm, and remember God much, so that you may prevail.
46وَأَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَلَا تَنَازَعُوا فَتَفْشَلُوا وَتَذْهَبَ رِيحُكُمْ ۖ وَاصْبِرُوا ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الصَّابِرِينَ
8|46|And obey God and His Messenger, and do not dispute, lest you falter and lose your courage. And be steadfast. God is with the steadfast.
47وَلَا تَكُونُوا كَالَّذِينَ خَرَجُوا مِن دِيَارِهِم بَطَرًا وَرِئَاءَ النَّاسِ وَيَصُدُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ ۚ وَاللَّهُ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ مُحِيطٌ
8|47|And do not be like those who left their homes boastfully, showing off before the people, and barring others from the path of God. God comprehends what they do.
48وَإِذْ زَيَّنَ لَهُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ أَعْمَالَهُمْ وَقَالَ لَا غَالِبَ لَكُمُ الْيَوْمَ مِنَ النَّاسِ وَإِنِّي جَارٌ لَّكُمْ ۖ فَلَمَّا تَرَاءَتِ الْفِئَتَانِ نَكَصَ عَلَىٰ عَقِبَيْهِ وَقَالَ إِنِّي بَرِيءٌ مِّنكُمْ إِنِّي أَرَىٰ مَا لَا تَرَوْنَ إِنِّي أَخَافُ اللَّهَ ۚ وَاللَّهُ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ
8|48|Satan made their deeds appear good to them, and said, “You cannot be defeated by any people today, and I am at your side.” But when the two armies came in sight of one another, he turned on his heels, and said, “I am innocent of you; I see what you do not see; I fear God; God is severe in punishment.”
49إِذْ يَقُولُ الْمُنَافِقُونَ وَالَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ غَرَّ هَٰؤُلَاءِ دِينُهُمْ ۗ وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ
8|49|The hypocrites and those in whose hearts is sickness said, “Their religion has deluded these people.” But whoever puts his trust in God—God is Mighty and Wise.
50وَلَوْ تَرَىٰ إِذْ يَتَوَفَّى الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا ۙ الْمَلَائِكَةُ يَضْرِبُونَ وُجُوهَهُمْ وَأَدْبَارَهُمْ وَذُوقُوا عَذَابَ الْحَرِيقِ
8|50|If only you could see, as the angels take away those who disbelieve, striking their faces and their backs: “Taste the agony of the Burning.”
51ذَٰلِكَ بِمَا قَدَّمَتْ أَيْدِيكُمْ وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ لَيْسَ بِظَلَّامٍ لِّلْعَبِيدِ
8|51|“That is because of what your hands have committed, and because God is not unjust to the servants.”
52كَدَأْبِ آلِ فِرْعَوْنَ ۙ وَالَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۚ كَفَرُوا بِآيَاتِ اللَّهِ فَأَخَذَهُمُ اللَّهُ بِذُنُوبِهِمْ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ قَوِيٌّ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ
8|52|Like the behavior of the people of Pharaoh, and those before them. They rejected the signs of God, so God seized them for their sins. God is Powerful, Severe in punishment.
53ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّ اللَّهَ لَمْ يَكُ مُغَيِّرًا نِّعْمَةً أَنْعَمَهَا عَلَىٰ قَوْمٍ حَتَّىٰ يُغَيِّرُوا مَا بِأَنفُسِهِمْ ۙ وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ
8|53|That is because God would never change a blessing He has bestowed on a people unless they change what is within themselves, and because God is Hearing and Knowing.
 

guidance and benefit from Allah is based on the individuals behavior and attitude. Also shows that individuals have free will, as Allah is saying He will not change things, unless they changes things, if the matter was purely with Allah, the people are irrelevant. 

consider if two sports teams are playing against each other, one side is Muslims and there supporters are praying for their victory. The other side is atheist, but they have prepared much more for the game, and are therefore better. The outcome of the game should be that the atheist win, regardless of the prayers. If they Muslim side prepare better, then they will win. The value of prayer in this context is not to give some kind of supernatural abilities, but to direct the intention of the action so that’s it’s outcome could be judged favourably on the day of judgement. Refer to Divine justice by Mutahari. 

Also note in surah 13:31 the disbelievers are destined for disasters because of their deeds. Its deeds that determine ones outcome, and faith or belief is a deed.

54كَدَأْبِ آلِ فِرْعَوْنَ ۙ وَالَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۚ كَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِ رَبِّهِمْ فَأَهْلَكْنَاهُم بِذُنُوبِهِمْ وَأَغْرَقْنَا آلَ فِرْعَوْنَ ۚ وَكُلٌّ كَانُوا ظَالِمِينَ
8|54|Such was the case with the people of Pharaoh, and those before them. They denied the signs of their Lord, so We annihilated them for their wrongs, and We drowned the people of Pharaoh—they were all evildoers.
55إِنَّ شَرَّ الدَّوَابِّ عِندَ اللَّهِ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا فَهُمْ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ
8|55|The worst of creatures in God’s view are those who disbelieve. They have no faith.
56الَّذِينَ عَاهَدتَّ مِنْهُمْ ثُمَّ يَنقُضُونَ عَهْدَهُمْ فِي كُلِّ مَرَّةٍ وَهُمْ لَا يَتَّقُونَ
8|56|Those of them with whom you made a treaty, but they violate their agreement every time. They are not righteous.
57فَإِمَّا تَثْقَفَنَّهُمْ فِي الْحَرْبِ فَشَرِّدْ بِهِم مَّنْ خَلْفَهُمْ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَذَّكَّرُونَ
8|57|If you confront them in battle, make of them a fearsome example for those who follow them, that they may take heed.
58وَإِمَّا تَخَافَنَّ مِن قَوْمٍ خِيَانَةً فَانبِذْ إِلَيْهِمْ عَلَىٰ سَوَاءٍ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ الْخَائِنِينَ
8|58|If you fear treachery on the part of a people, break off with them in a like manner. God does not like the treacherous.
 

H 2468, CH 111, h 8
A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from certain
individuals of his people from ‘Abd Allah ibn Sinan from abu ‘Abd Allah,
recipient of divine supreme covenant, who has said the following:
“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘There are three things that
on being found in a person prove him to be a hypocrite, even
though he may fast, pray and think that he is a Muslim:
Violation of trust when he is thought of as trustworthy, lying in
one’s words and disregard of one’s promises. Allah, the Most
Majestic, the Most Holy, has said in His book, ‘. . . Allah does
not love the treacherous ones’, (8:58) also in His words, ‘. . . let
Allah’s condemnation be upon him if he lies’ (24:7), and in the
words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘Mention in
the Book (the Quran) the story of Ishmael; he was true to his
promise, a Messenger and a Prophet.’” (19:54)

 
59وَلَا يَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا سَبَقُوا ۚ إِنَّهُمْ لَا يُعْجِزُونَ
8|59|Let not the disbelievers assume that they are ahead. They will not escape.
60وَأَعِدُّوا لَهُم مَّا اسْتَطَعْتُم مِّن قُوَّةٍ وَمِن رِّبَاطِ الْخَيْلِ تُرْهِبُونَ بِهِ عَدُوَّ اللَّهِ وَعَدُوَّكُمْ وَآخَرِينَ مِن دُونِهِمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَهُمُ اللَّهُ يَعْلَمُهُمْ ۚ وَمَا تُنفِقُوا مِن شَيْءٍ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ يُوَفَّ إِلَيْكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تُظْلَمُونَ
8|60|And prepare against them all the power you can muster, and all the cavalry you can mobilize, to terrify thereby God’s enemies and your enemies, and others besides them whom you do not know, but God knows them. Whatever you spend in God’s way will be repaid to you in full, and you will not be wronged.
61۞ وَإِن جَنَحُوا لِلسَّلْمِ فَاجْنَحْ لَهَا وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ
8|61|But if they incline towards peace, then incline towards it, and put your trust in God. He is the Hearer, the Knower.
 

H 1093, Ch. 108, h 16
Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from
Muhammad ibn Jumhur from Safwan from ibn Muskan from al-Halabi from abu
‘Abd Allah, recipient of divine supreme covenant,who has said the following:
“About the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most
Gracious, ‘If they (the unbelievers) propose peace, accept it and
trust in Allah. Allah is All-hearing and All-knowing.’ (8:61) I
asked the Imam, recipient of divine supreme covenant, ‘What is
the meaning of al-salam (peace)?’ The Imam said, ‘It is the
acknowledgment of our Leadership with Divine Authority.’”

 
62وَإِن يُرِيدُوا أَن يَخْدَعُوكَ فَإِنَّ حَسْبَكَ اللَّهُ ۚ هُوَ الَّذِي أَيَّدَكَ بِنَصْرِهِ وَبِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ
8|62|If they intend to deceive you—God is sufficient for you. It is He who supported you with His aid, and with the believers.
63وَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِهِمْ ۚ لَوْ أَنفَقْتَ مَا فِي الْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا مَّا أَلَّفْتَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِهِمْ وَلَٰكِنَّ اللَّهَ أَلَّفَ بَيْنَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ
8|63|And He united their hearts. Had you spent everything on earth, you would not have united their hearts, but God united them together. He is Mighty and Wise.
64يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ حَسْبُكَ اللَّهُ وَمَنِ اتَّبَعَكَ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ
8|64|O prophet! Count on God, and on the believers who have followed you.
65يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ حَرِّضِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَى الْقِتَالِ ۚ إِن يَكُن مِّنكُمْ عِشْرُونَ صَابِرُونَ يَغْلِبُوا مِائَتَيْنِ ۚ وَإِن يَكُن مِّنكُم مِّائَةٌ يَغْلِبُوا أَلْفًا مِّنَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بِأَنَّهُمْ قَوْمٌ لَّا يَفْقَهُونَ
8|65|O prophet! Rouse the believers to battle. If there are twenty steadfast among you, they will defeat two hundred; and if there are a hundred of you, they will defeat a thousand of those who disbelieve; because they are a people who do not understand.
66الْآنَ خَفَّفَ اللَّهُ عَنكُمْ وَعَلِمَ أَنَّ فِيكُمْ ضَعْفًا ۚ فَإِن يَكُن مِّنكُم مِّائَةٌ صَابِرَةٌ يَغْلِبُوا مِائَتَيْنِ ۚ وَإِن يَكُن مِّنكُمْ أَلْفٌ يَغْلِبُوا أَلْفَيْنِ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ مَعَ الصَّابِرِينَ
8|66|God has now lightened your burden, knowing that there is weakness in you. 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 leave. God is with the steadfast.
67مَا كَانَ لِنَبِيٍّ أَن يَكُونَ لَهُ أَسْرَىٰ حَتَّىٰ يُثْخِنَ فِي الْأَرْضِ ۚ تُرِيدُونَ عَرَضَ الدُّنْيَا وَاللَّهُ يُرِيدُ الْآخِرَةَ ۗ وَاللَّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ
8|67|It is not for a prophet to take prisoners before he has subdued the land. You desire the materials of this world, but God desires the Hereafter. God is Strong and Wise.
68لَّوْلَا كِتَابٌ مِّنَ اللَّهِ سَبَقَ لَمَسَّكُمْ فِيمَا أَخَذْتُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ
8|68|Were it not for a predetermined decree from God, an awful punishment would have afflicted you for what you have taken.
69فَكُلُوا مِمَّا غَنِمْتُمْ حَلَالًا طَيِّبًا ۚ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
8|69|So consume what you have gained, legitimate and wholesome; and remain conscious of God. God is Forgiving and Merciful.
70يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ قُل لِّمَن فِي أَيْدِيكُم مِّنَ الْأَسْرَىٰ إِن يَعْلَمِ اللَّهُ فِي قُلُوبِكُمْ خَيْرًا يُؤْتِكُمْ خَيْرًا مِّمَّا أُخِذَ مِنكُمْ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
8|70|O prophet! Say to those you hold prisoners, “If God finds any good in your hearts, He will give you better than what was taken from you, and He will forgive you. God is Forgiving and Merciful.”
 

H 14692 – Ali Bin Ibrahim, from his father, from Ibn Abu Umeyr, from Muawiya Bin Ammar, who
has said the following:
Abu Abdullahasws, said, ‘I heard himasws saying regarding this Verse: “[8:70] O
Prophet! say to those of the captives who are in your hands: If Allah knows
anything good in your hearts, He will give to you better than that which has
been taken away from you and will forgive you”, heasws said: ‘This was Revealed
regarding Al-Abbas, and Aqeel, and Naufal’.

 
71وَإِن يُرِيدُوا خِيَانَتَكَ فَقَدْ خَانُوا اللَّهَ مِن قَبْلُ فَأَمْكَنَ مِنْهُمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ
8|71|But if they intend to betray you, they have already betrayed God, and He has overpowered them. God is Knowing and Wise.
72إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَهَاجَرُوا وَجَاهَدُوا بِأَمْوَالِهِمْ وَأَنفُسِهِمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَالَّذِينَ آوَوا وَّنَصَرُوا أُولَٰئِكَ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاءُ بَعْضٍ ۚوَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَلَمْ يُهَاجِرُوا مَا لَكُم مِّن وَلَايَتِهِم مِّن شَيْءٍ حَتَّىٰ يُهَاجِرُوا ۚ وَإِنِ اسْتَنصَرُوكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ فَعَلَيْكُمُ النَّصْرُ إِلَّا عَلَىٰ قَوْمٍ بَيْنَكُمْ وَبَيْنَهُم مِّيثَاقٌ ۗ وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ
8|72|Those who believed, and emigrated, and struggled in God’s cause with their possessions and their persons, and those who provided shelter and support—these are allies of one another. As for those who believed, but did not emigrate, you owe them no protection, until they have emigrated. But if they ask you for help in religion, you must come to their aid, except against a people with whom you have a treaty. God is Seeing of what you do.
73وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاءُ بَعْضٍ ۚ إِلَّا تَفْعَلُوهُ تَكُن فِتْنَةٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَفَسَادٌ كَبِيرٌ
8|73|As for those who disbelieve, they are allies of one another. Unless you do this, there will be turmoil in the land, and much corruption.
74وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَهَاجَرُوا وَجَاهَدُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَالَّذِينَ آوَوا وَّنَصَرُوا أُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ حَقًّا ۚ لَّهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌ وَرِزْقٌ كَرِيمٌ
8|74|Those who believed, and emigrated, and struggled for God’s cause, and those who gave shelter and support—these are the true believers. They will have forgiveness, and a bountiful provision.
 

8:74 those companions who struggled for the sake of Allah are true believers and their reward is bountiful from God

 
75وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِن بَعْدُ وَهَاجَرُوا وَجَاهَدُوا مَعَكُمْ فَأُولَٰئِكَ مِنكُمْ ۚ وَأُولُو الْأَرْحَامِ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلَىٰ بِبَعْضٍ فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ
8|75|As for those who believed afterwards, and emigrated and struggled with you—these belong with you. But family members are nearer to one another in the Book of God. God is Cognizant of everything.