يَسْـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلْأَنفَالِ ۖ قُلِ ٱلْأَنفَالُ لِلَّهِ وَٱلرَّسُولِ ۖ فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَصْلِحُوا۟ ذَاتَ بَيْنِكُمْ ۖ وَأَطِيعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥٓ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ 1
Translations
They ask you, [O Muḥammad], about the bounties [of war]. Say, "The [decision concerning] bounties is for Allāh and the Messenger." So fear Allāh and amend that which is between you and obey Allāh and His Messenger, if you should be believers.
Transliteration
Yas'alūnaka 'anil-anfāl. Qul al-anfālu lillāhi wa ar-rasūl. Fattaqullāha wa aslihū dhāta baynakum. Wa atī'ullāha wa rasūlahu in kuntum mu'minīn.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses a dispute among the Companions regarding the distribution of war spoils from the Battle of Badr, establishing that all spoils belong to Allah and His Messenger, who would distribute them justly according to Islamic principles. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this ruling was meant to prevent quarrels and establish proper authority, while Al-Tabari notes the ayah transitions from addressing the specific dispute to issuing broader commands for piety, reconciliation, and obedience as signs of true faith.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in Madinah after the Battle of Badr (2 AH), when disagreements arose among the Muslim soldiers about how the captured spoils should be divided. The Companions had differing views on the matter, prompting this clarification from Allah that the distribution of war booty is a prerogative of Allah and His Messenger.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (3103): The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) distributed war spoils from Badr among the combatants. Sunan Abu Dawud (2726): Regulations about spoils of war emphasizing the Prophet's authority in their distribution and the prohibition against concealing spoils.
Themes
Key Lesson
True faith requires not only belief but also practical obedience to Allah and His Messenger, coupled with sincere efforts to reconcile differences within the community rather than allowing material disputes to create division. This teaches that trust in divinely-guided leadership and prioritization of communal harmony over personal gain are hallmarks of genuine believers.