DAY 497: Anfal 1 - 19

•  They ask you ˹O Prophet˺ regarding the spoils of war. Say, “Their distribution is decided by Allah and His Messenger. So be mindful of Allah, settle your affairs, and obey Allah and His Messenger if you are ˹true˺ believers.” The ˹true˺ believers are only those whose hearts tremble at the remembrance of Allah, whose faith increases when His revelations are recited to them, and who put their trust in their Lord. (They are) those who establish Salāh, and give away from what We have given to them. Those are the believers in reality. For them there are high ranks with their Lord, and forgiveness, and dignified provision. It is like when your Lord made you leave your home for the sake of truth, while a group from the believers were averse to it; They disputed with you about the truth after it had been made clear, as if they were being driven to death with their eyes wide open. ˹Remember, O  believers,˺ when Allah promised ˹to give˺ you the upper hand over either target, you wished to capture the unarmed party. But it was Allah’s Will to establish the truth by His Words and uproot the disbelievers; to firmly establish the truth and wipe out falsehood—even to the dismay of the wicked. ˹Remember˺ when you cried out to your Lord for help, He answered, “I will reinforce you with a thousand angels—followed by many others." And Allah made this a sign of victory and reassurance to your hearts. Victory comes only from Allah. Surely Allah is Almighty, All-Wise. ˹Remember˺ when He caused drowsiness to overcome you, giving you serenity. And He sent down rain from the sky to purify you, free you from Satan’s whispers, strengthen your hearts, and make ˹your˺ steps firm. ˹Remember, O  Prophet,˺ when your Lord revealed to the angels, “I am with you. So make the believers stand firm. I will cast horror into the hearts of the disbelievers. So strike their necks and strike their fingertips.” This is because they defied Allah and His Messenger. And whoever defies Allah and His Messenger, then ˹know that˺ Allah is surely severe in punishment. That ˹worldly punishment˺ is yours, so taste it! Then the disbelievers will suffer the torment of the Fire. O believers! When you face the disbelievers in battle, never turn your backs to them. And whoever does so on such an occasion—unless it is a manoeuvre or to join their own troops—will earn the displeasure of Allah, and their home will be Hell. What an evil destination! It was not you ˹believers˺ who killed them, but it was Allah Who did so. Nor was it you ˹O Prophet˺ who threw ˹a handful of sand at the disbelievers˺,¹ but it was Allah Who did so, rendering the believers a great favour. Surely Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing. As such, Allah frustrates the evil plans of the disbelievers. If you ˹Meccans˺ sought judgment, now it has come to you. And if you cease, it will be for your own good. But if you persist, We will persist. And your forces—no matter how numerous they might be—will not benefit you whatsoever. For Allah is certainly with the believers. 
  (
  Spoils – ultimate authority belongs to God and Prophet.
  True faith – fear of God, increased faith by Quran, reliance on Him, prayer, charity.
  Reluctance to fight – human weakness overcome by divine command.
  Divine choice – God’s wisdom chooses harder battle to destroy falsehood.
  Angelic aid – for reassurance, not reliance.
  Steadfastness – fleeing battlefield (except tactical reasons) is a grave sin.
  Divine causality – God is the true agent behind human actions.
  Warning to disbelievers – Badr was a clear sign; return to hostility will be met with punishment.
  
  The entire outcome of battle—victory, spoils, and enemy defeat—is a divine gift from Allah, not a wage earned by human effort, so true believers obey Allah and His Messenger, reconcile among themselves, stand firm in battle, and trust that Allah alone grants success.
  
  )