Al-Anfaal (The Spoils of War)

57. “So, when you confront them in war, (by punishing them) scatter the ones behind them so that they might be admonished.”

The Qur’anic term /taθqafannahum/ is derived from the Arabic word /θaqifa/ which means ‘to understand something quickly and carefully’. Then the word mentioned in the above-mentioned verse means that ‘when you encounter infidels in war, you should face them very vigilantly in order not to be seized unawares’.

The Arabic word /tasrid/ means ‘to cause insecurity, anxiety’ and ‘to disperse’. Thus, the phrase means that you should attack the enemy in a manner and with a martial plan that their supporters out of the scene, and the forces behind them, become so terrified that they do not think of invasion and continuation of supporting them anymore.

The verse says:

“So, when you confront them in war, (by punishing them) scatter the ones behind them so that they might be admonished.”

Islam is a religion of kindness and mercy, yet it does not tolerate treachery, breach of promise, and disturbance of the regularity and security. Then, infidels should be punished so violently that they relinquish attacking you again.