DAY 503: Anfal 67-75

•  It is not fit for a prophet that he should take captives until he has thoroughly subdued the land. You ˹believers˺ settled with the fleeting gains of this world, while Allah’s aim ˹for you˺ is the Hereafter. Allah is Almighty, All-Wise. Had it not been for a prior decree from Allah, you would have certainly been disciplined with a tremendous punishment for whatever ˹ransom˺ you have taken. Now enjoy what you have taken, for it is lawful and good. And be mindful of Allah. Surely Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful. O Prophet! Tell the captives in your custody, “If Allah finds goodness in your hearts, He will give you better than what has been taken from you, and forgive you. For Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” But if their intention is only to betray you ˹O Prophet˺, they sought to betray Allah before. But He gave you power over them. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. Those who believed, emigrated, and strived with their wealth and lives in the cause of Allah, as well as those who gave them shelter and help—they are truly guardians of one another. As for those who believed but did not emigrate, you have no obligations to them until they emigrate. But if they seek your help ˹against persecution˺ in faith, it is your obligation to help them, except against people bound with you in a treaty. Allah is All-Seeing of what you do. As for the disbelievers, they are guardians of one another. And unless you ˹believers˺ act likewise, there will be great oppression and corruption in the land. Those who believed, migrated, and struggled in the cause of Allah, and those who gave ˹them˺ shelter and help, they are the true believers. They will have forgiveness and an honourable provision. And those who later believed, migrated, and struggled alongside you, they are also with you. But only blood relatives are now entitled to inherit from one another, as ordained by Allah. Surely Allah has ˹full˺ knowledge of everything. 
  (
   The final section of the surah, covering the ruling on prisoners of war, the Battle of Badr's prisoners specifically, divine decree, and the concluding principles of brotherhood, alliance, and inheritance among believers.
   
   67    Correction on prisoners    Captives should be taken only after the enemy is thoroughly subdued. You desired worldly gain (ransom), but Allah desires the Hereafter.
  68    Divine mercy    If not for a prior decree, you would have faced great punishment for taking ransom.
  69    Spoils are lawful    Consume what you took as spoils — it is lawful and good. Fear Allah moving forward. He is Forgiving and Merciful.
  70    Address to captives    If Allah knows any good in your hearts, He will give you better than what was taken and forgive you.
  71    Warning of betrayal    If they intend to betray you, they betrayed Allah before, and He gave you victory over them.
  72    Alliance of believers    Emigrants and helpers are allies. Those who believe but do not emigrate are not under your protection until they emigrate. But help them if they seek help for religion, unless a treaty prevents it.
  73    Disbelievers are allies    Disbelievers unite against you. If you do not unite, there will be fitnah and great corruption.
  74    True believers    The emigrants and helpers are the true believers. For them is forgiveness and noble provision.
  75    Later believers and inheritance    Later emigrants and fighters are part of you. But blood relatives are more entitled to inheritance. Allah knows all things.
  
  After the Battle of Badr, Allah gently corrected the Prophet and the companions for taking ransom before fully subduing the enemy, declared the spoils lawful, promised better for captives who truly believe, established the alliance system between emigrants and helpers, warned that disbelievers unite against believers so believers must unite, and returned inheritance rights to blood relatives.
  
  )