Al-Anfaal (The Spoils of War)

42. “(Remember) when you were on the down side, and they were on the up side, while the caravan (of the enemy) was in below you; and had you agreed together on a tryst, you would have surely failed the tryst, but in order that Allah might bring about a matter which was to be done, that he who perishes may perish by a clear proof, and verily Allah is All; Hearing, All- knowing.”

The Qur'anic term /’udwah/ is derived from /’aduw/ with the meaning of ‘to transgress’. It is also used for the edge and surroundings of anything that has gone beyond the medium. In this verse, the objective meaning of the term /’udwah/ is ‘the side and lower extremities’.

The Arabic word /dunya/ is derived from /dunuww/ in the sense of ‘down side and nearer’, while the Arabic word /quswa / means ‘farther’.

In the Battle of Badr, the enemies not only had superiority from the points of arms, number of fighters, and preparation, but also they were preferable from the point of the site of settlement of their forces, because they could find a way at the bank of the Red Sea to escape.

But Allah caused the Muslims to encounter the pagans with the aim of confiscation of their properties, where they had no way but to fight. Yet, it was only the grace of Allah which brought triumph of that Battle for the Muslims.

A Review over the Battle of Badr

The illustration of the feature of the Battle of Badr by reviewing Surah Al-‘Anfal from the beginning can show Allah's helps better.

1 - They thought of confiscation of pagans’ properties, but they were not ready for war:

“...and loved that the one unarmed should be yours...” (verse No. 7).

2 - When the war began, they were worried:

“...a party of the believers was certainly averse (to it),” (verse No. 5).

3 - They were afraid of death:

“...as if they were being driven unto death...” (verse No. 6).

4 - They were disabled and were seeking their Lord for help:

“...when you were calling upon your Lord for succor...” (verse No. 9).

5 - By the night of attack, Satan imposed them his uncleanness (jenabat) (major ritual impurity):

“...The uncleanness of Satan...” (verse No. 11).

6 - They did not have complete obedience from the commander:

“...Those who say: ‘We heard,’ but they do not hear (indeed)” (verse No. 21).

7 - They were small in number and they were fearful to be hunted by the enemy:

“...you were few,...and were fearful that people would snatch you away...” (verse No. 26).

8 - Some of them had formerly committed treachery,¹

9 - Their leader was threatened and plotted against by disbelievers:

“...Those who disbelieved plotted against you...” (verse No. 30)

10 - They were thirsty, and they fell in major ritual impurity while the sand under their feet was soft and Allah sent down water for them.

11 - If the affairs were at their disposal, with those many difficulties they had, they would never come to agreement:

“...and had you agreed together one tryst, you would have surely failed the tryst…” (verse under discussion).

12 - Wherever Allah pleases, He removes all the factors of weakness:

“... but in order that Allah might bring about a matter which was to be done…” (verse under discussion).

13 - Having all these helps, whoever does not believe will knowingly be destroyed, and whoever believes will knowingly believe:

“…that he who perishes may perish by a clear proof and he who lives may live by a clear proof...”

14- Do not judge hurriedly. They did not like to fight, but, later, they found out its goodness.

15 - Allah may change the ways and decisions, and, by this very way, Allah can be known.