DAY 502: Anfal 55-66

•  Indeed, the worst of all beings in the sight of Allah are those who persist in disbelief, never to have faith— ˹namely˺ those with whom you ˹O Prophet˺ have entered into treaties, but they violate them every time, not fearing the consequences. If you ever encounter them in battle, make a fearsome example of them, so perhaps those who would follow them may be deterred. And if you ˹O Prophet˺ see signs of betrayal by a people, respond by openly terminating your treaty with them. Surely Allah does not like those who betray. Do not let those disbelievers think they are not within reach. They will have no escape. Prepare against them what you ˹believers˺ can of ˹military˺ power and cavalry to deter Allah’s enemies and your enemies as well as other enemies unknown to you but known to Allah. Whatever you spend in the cause of Allah will be paid to you in full and you will not be wronged. If the enemy is inclined towards peace, make peace with them. And put your trust in Allah. Indeed, He ˹alone˺ is the All-Hearing, All-Knowing. But if their intention is only to deceive you, then Allah is certainly sufficient for you. He is the One Who has supported you with His help and with the believers. He brought their hearts together. Had you spent all the riches in the earth, you could not have united their hearts. But Allah has united them. Indeed, He is Almighty, All-Wise. O  Prophet! Allah is sufficient for you and for the believers who follow you. O Prophet! Motivate the believers to fight. If there are twenty steadfast among you, they will overcome two hundred. And if there are one hundred of you, they will overcome one thousand of the disbelievers, for they are a people who do not comprehend. Now Allah has lightened your burden, for He knows that there is weakness in you. So if there are a hundred steadfast among you, they will overcome two hundred. And if there be one thousand, they will overcome two thousand, by Allah’s Will. And Allah is with the steadfast.
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  These verses follow the warning about the fate of Pharaoh's people (v52–54) and the principle that Allah does not change a people's condition until they change themselves (v53). Now Allah turns to the practical reality of treaties and warfare with the disbelievers of Arabia, followed by divine encouragement for the believers who feel outnumbered.
  
  55    Worst creatures    Those who disbelieve and persist in disbelief are worse than animals.
  56    Treaty-breakers    They break treaties repeatedly and do not fear Allah.
  57    Make an example    When you defeat them, punish them severely so others learn.
  58    Renounce treaties openly    If you fear treachery, announce the treaty's end on equal terms. Allah does not love the treacherous.
  59    No escape from Allah    Disbelievers cannot outrun Allah's plan or punishment.
  60    Military preparation    Prepare all the power and horses you can to terrify the enemy. Spend in Allah's cause; it will be repaid.
  61    Incline to peace    If the enemy wants peace, accept it and trust Allah.
  62    Deception    If they intend to deceive you, Allah is sufficient. He supported you before.
  63    Unity of hearts    Only Allah can unite hearts. No amount of spending can create true brotherhood.
  64    Allah is sufficient    For the Prophet and all believers, Allah alone is enough.
  65    First ratio (1:10)    20 patient believers overcome 200; 100 overcome 1,000.
  66    Lighter ratio (1:2)    Allah lightened the burden: 100 overcome 200; 1,000 overcome 2,000. Allah is with the patient.
  
  Treaties must be honored or renounced openly; treachery is forbidden even toward enemies. Muslims must prepare military strength to deter aggression, but always incline to peace when offered. True unity of hearts comes only from Allah. And in battle, Allah has lightened the burden: outnumbered believers (1:2) can still overcome the disbelievers by His permission — not because of numbers, but because of patience and trust in Allah.
  
  
  
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