Name: The name of this surah is Al-Anfal and it has ten sections and seventy-five verses. The meaning of الانفال is spoils of war or those spoils that come into possession after actual fighting. The central topic of this section is the Battle of Badr. This is the first major battle that took place between the Muslims and the disbelievers, and some spoils and prisoners fell into the hands of the Muslims. The spoils are declared as legitimate. Just at that time, there was a trading caravan of the Quraish belonging to the same disbelievers who were advancing for war that was on its way to Makkah. Some Muslims opined that they should attack the caravan and plunder it. The Quran declares this to be عرض الدنیا (provision of this earth) and holds that such loot is illegitimate. The lesson meant to be conveyed is that spoils obtained after fighting an enemy are legitimate, but the acquisition of spoils is not the purpose of fighting. The purpose of fighting is something else. It is in this context that the surah is named Al-Anfal.
Summary of the section: The main topic of this section is the Battle of Badr and its associated events. Hence the spoils of war are mentioned in the very first verse, but immediately afterwards to manifest that the real purpose of war is not to obtain spoils, attention is drawn to becoming a real believer by making peace with each other, obeying Allah and His Messenger, remembering Allah, keeping up prayer and paying the poor-rate. Following this statement, there is a reversion to the main topic, and it is stated that Allah desired to manifest the truth in the Battle of Badr and to extirpate the enemy that wanted to destroy Islam. In the second section, there is a mention of the success in the battle and the reason for the victory which is only because of Allah’s help. The third section again informs the Muslims about what are the real pathways to success and gives a warning to the Muslims. In the fourth section, the Muslims are told that even after the defeat at Badr, the disbelievers will keep coming out to battle them, but will eventually be vanquished and the Muslims will become the guardians of the Kaba in perpetuity. The fifth section informs that the meeting at Badr took place under the advisability of Allah and the Muslims did not have the strength to come out against such a big army. The sixth section advises the Muslims to persevere in battle so that they may be the recipients of Allah’s mercy. The seventh section mentions the breach of promises by the disbelievers. The eighth section advises the Muslims to remain always ready and prepared for facing the enemy. In the ninth section, the Muslims are given solace that they should not be overawed by the large number of the enemies and that Allah will make them victorious even against double their number and even ten times their number. In this section, it is also stated that taking prisoners and spoils in a war is permissible. In the tenth section, the mutual national relationships among the Muslims are detailed and they are told that if the disbelievers commit excesses against the Muslims on account of their religion, it is the duty of every Muslim to help their brethren, except if there is a covenant with the transgressing party.
Relation with previous surah: During a discussion about the need for prophethood in the previous chapter, the fate of prior nations, who not only rejected the truth but tried to exterminate it, is disclosed. Towards the end of the last surah, it is stated that the enemies of the Holy Prophet will also be punished progressively. The first step in this progressive punishment is the Battle of Badr in which there is an exemplary admonition, and a manifest testimony to the truthfulness of the Holy Prophet. A Muslim victory, despite their small number, had been prophesied many years earlier at Makkah. Consequently, it becomes imperative, given the narration of Surah Araf, to follow it up with the first step in the progressive punishment of the disbelievers which is the Battle of Badr.
Period of revelation: The period of revelation of this surah is the same as the period of the Battle of Badr., that is the second year after migration. Some verses that mention the repeated breaking of promises by the disbelievers appear to be of a later period. However, those verses that mention the plans of the disbelieves against the Holy Prophet prior to migration are not actually Makkan. The Muslims are merely being reminded by mentioning previous events that even at that time, the Hand of Allah was assisting Islam, as when the Holy Prophet was left alone among his enemies who had decided to kill him. The Muslims are thereby comforted that Allah will always be a Helper of Islam.
Bayan-ul-Quran 