An Enlightening Commentary into the Light of the Holy Qur'an vol. 6

Section 6: Steadfastness and Unity Enjoined

Surah Al-Anfal – Verse 45

45***. “O you who have Faith! when you encounter a host (in battle), then stand firm, and remember Allah much, that you may be prosperous.”***

Now that Allah (s.w.t,) has commanded the Muslims to be steadfast in the battlefield, He says:

“O you who have Faith! when you encounter a host (in battle), then stand firm...”

That is, whenever you face with a group of infidels in war, stand firm for fighting against them, and do not escape. And, it is evident that believers generally do not fight save against hostile infidels.

Then the holy verse implies that, at the time of war, Muslims should seek help from Allah, the Mighty, so that not only they become victorious and successful in the present world but also they become prosperous in the coming world. The verse continues saying:

“...and remember Allah much, that you may be prosperous.”

Some commentators say that this part of the verse means that you should remember the promises of Allah, which He has given you about triumph, in order that your steadfastness might he increased.

Surah Al-Anfal – Verse 46

46***. “And obey Allah and His Messenger, and do not dispute, for you will become dishearted and your power will depart; and be patient, verily Allah is with the patient.”***

Believers should obey Allah and His Messenger, and when they encounter their enemy, they should be united and avoid disputing. Otherwise, they may fear and lose their hearts, and begin fighting while their courage and power vanish.

The verse says:

“And obey Allah and His Messenger, and do not dispute, for you will become dishearted and your power will depart...”

Some commentators have said that they may lose victory and government as a result of it.

The Arabic term /rih/, mentioned here, is a hint to progression, influence, and reaching the aim.

Some other commentators have said that if Muslims show discord with each other, they will not find the breeze of triumph upon their lives.

Thus, they should be patient in the war against the enemy, since Allah is with the patient ones. The verse says:

“...and be patient, verily Allah is with the patient.”

Surah Al-Anfal – Verse 47

47***. “And do not be like those who got out from their homes boastfully and to show off to men and barring from Allah's way, and verily Allah encompasses what they do.”***

The verse addresses the believers, telling them not to be like the Quraysh who made up a group of mischievous drunkard persons to go out in order to protect their caravan. Intending ostentation and prohibiting others from the religion of Allah, i.e. Islam, they started from Mecca toward the land of Badr.

Their hypocritical act was that they wanted to pretend that they did not count Muslims so considerable and important that they would be fearful of them. But they should know that Allah is aware of their deeds and none of their acts is concealed to Him, the One Who gives them the retribution of their hypocritical deeds.

The verse says:

“And do not be like those who got out from their homes boastfully and to show off to men and barring from Allah’s way, and verily Allah encompasses what they do.”

Surah Al-Anfal – Verse 48

48***. “And (remember) when Satan made their deeds fair seeming to them and said: ‘Today none of people shall overcome you, and I will be a protector for you.’ But when the two hosts sighted each other, he turned upon his heels, and said: ‘Indeed I am quit of you. Verily I see what you do not see. Surely I fear Allah, and Allah is severe in retribution’.”***

Here, in this verse, another scene of the Battle of Badr, which happened on the day of war, has been illustrated.

At first, it implies that on that day, Satan made their deeds Seem decorous to them, so that they would think of their actions optimistically and became encouraged by them. The verse says:

“And (remember) when Satan made their deeds fair seeming to them...”

Satan's decoration is such that, by the way of stimulating lusts, desires, and indecent qualities in him, he makes the feature of man's actions so fair seeming to his eyes that he will terribly be attracted to it. Satan tempts them that today they have so many fighters with a lot of arms, so much so that none of people can overcome them, and they are an undefeating army. The verse says:

“...and said: ‘Today none of people shall overcome you...”

Then Satan adds that besides that, he is also their neighbor and so near to them that, at the necessary time, like a faithful sympathetic neighbor, he will withhold no support from them. The verse continues saying:,

“...and I will be a protector for you.'...”

But when the two armies encountered each other and the angels came to help the army of Unity, the infidels observed the power and steadfastness of the Muslims. Then, Satan turned back and shouted at them, saying that he hated them (the infidels). The verse says:

“...But when the two hosts sighted each other, he turned upon his heels, and said:, Indeed I am quit of you...”

Satan brought forth two reasons for his awful turning, back. The first reason was that he said:

“...Verily I see what you do not see...”

By this phrase, Satan meant that he saw the signs of triumph in the features of the believing Muslims, as well as the effects of Allah’s support and angels' helps among them.

Satan added another thing, saying that he was afraid of the painful punishment of Allah in the scene which he saw very near. The verse says:

“...surely I fear Allah...”

Allah's punishment is not such a simple thing that anybody can resist before it, but it is certain that His retribution is sharp and severe. The verse says:

“...and Allah is severe in retribution '.”