Surah Al-Anfal (Section 6)

8-45 O you who believe, when you meet an army, be firm, and remember Allah much, that you may be successful.^a

يا أَيُّهَا الَّذينَ آمَنوا إِذا لَقيتُم فِئَةً فَاثبُتوا وَاذكُرُوا اللَّهَ كَثيرًا لَعَلَّكُم تُفلِحونَ (۴۵)

8-45a: The attention of the Muslims is again drawn here to what constitutes success and the means for attaining success. They are told to remember Allah even during the battle and conflict because the real purpose in the fighting is not just to gain a victory but the real success in life is to achieve the purpose of one’s creation, that is get near to the Creator.

8-46 And obey Allah and His Messenger and dispute not one with another, lest you get weak-hearted and your power depart; and be steadfast. Surely Allah is with the steadfast.^a

وَأَطيعُوا اللَّهَ وَرَسولَهُ وَلا تَنازَعوا فَتَفشَلوا وَتَذهَبَ ريحُكُم ۖ وَاصبِروا ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الصّابِرينَ (۴۶)

8-46a: ريحُكُم – ریح means air. According to Mufradat, the word ریح is sometimes used metaphorically to mean hegemony, while according to Qatada by ریح is meant ریح نصر an assisting wind (IJ) because wind is also a special instrument of help. Thus, in the Battle of Trench a violent wind dislodged and routed the enemy’s large force. Muslims are told that being steadfast and united are the two main ingredients of success.

8-47 And be not like those who came forth from their homes exultingly and to be seen of men, and they hinder (people) from the way of Allah. And Allah encompasses what they do.^a

وَلا تَكونوا كَالَّذينَ خَرَجوا مِن دِيارِهِم بَطَرًا وَرِئَاءَ النّاسِ وَيَصُدّونَ عَن سَبيلِ اللَّهِ ۚ وَاللَّهُ بِما يَعمَلونَ مُحيطٌ (۴۷)

8-47a: بَطَرًا – The meaning of بَطَرٌ is jubilant or having an arrogant manner (LA) and بَطَر and طَرَب are close in meaning and mean the buoyancy felt from joy (R). Another meaning is feeling disgusted from a thing that is not deserving of disgust, or to exceed the limit and adopt a rebellious attitude because of receiving a blessing. In بطِرَتْ مَعِيشَتَهَا (exulted in its means of subsistence), the actual structure is بَطِرَتْ فی مَعِيشَتَهَا .

When Abu Jahl and his companions set forth from Makkah, they set out fully equipped for the expedition and they were very proud of their numbers. They also wanted to send a message to the tribes of Arabia that they were very strong and thereby to overawe them. The Muslims are warned that after they are victorious, they should never wage a war for this purpose and never be proud of their strength.

8-48 And when the devil made their works fair-seeming to them, and said: None among men can overcome you this day, and I am your protector. But when the two armies came in sight of one another, he turned upon his heels, and said: Surely I am clear of you, I see what you see not; surely I fear Allah. And Allah is Severe in requiting.^a

وَإِذْ زَيَّنَ لَهُمُ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ أَعْمَـٰلَهُمْ وَقَالَ لَا غَالِبَ لَكُمُ ٱلْيَوْمَ مِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ وَإِنِّى جَارٌۭ لَّكُمْ ۖ فَلَمَّا تَرَآءَتِ ٱلْفِئَتَانِ نَكَصَ عَلَىٰ عَقِبَيْهِ وَقَالَ إِنِّى بَرِىٓءٌۭ مِّنكُمْ إِنِّىٓ أَرَىٰ مَا لَا تَرَوْنَ إِنِّىٓ أَخَافُ ٱللَّهَ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ شَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ (٤٨)

8-48a: جَارٌۭ – It means a neighbor, and جوار or مُجاوَرَۃ means to come under the protection of another or to take someone in protection, and it is in this sense that the word is used here. The literal meaning of جار عن الطریق is to move out of the way, but implies nearness or proximity, and derived from it is جَور which means injustice, oppression, wrong (R).

The Quraish and Bani Kanana were often at loggerheads with each other, and when the Quraish decided to attack Madinah, they feared that Bani Kanana may not open hostilities. The chief of Bani Kanana, Suraqa bin Malik, told Abu Jahl that the Quraish were very strong and not only assured him of their peaceful intention but also expressed his support. Some commentators opine that it was Satan who came in the appearance of Suraqa bin Malik, but it can be that the real Suraqa bin Malik had met with Abu Jahl and is metaphorically referred to as Satan, just as in several other places in the Quran, the leaders of the disbelievers are referred to as devils. When the Quraish began to be routed, Satan took off. It can also be that all of this may just be the whispering of the devil and not an actual conversation.