فَإِمَّا تَثْقَفَنَّهُمْ فِى ٱلْحَرْبِ فَشَرِّدْ بِهِم مَّنْ خَلْفَهُمْ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَذَّكَّرُونَ 57
Translations
So if you, [O Muḥammad], gain dominance over them in war, disperse by [means of] them those behind them that perhaps they will be reminded.
Transliteration
Fa-imma tathqafannuhum fil-harbi fasharrid bihim man khalfahum lalaahum yathadhakkarun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah instructs believers that when they encounter disbelievers in battle, they should decisively defeat them and make an example of them for those who come after, as a deterrent and a reminder. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret 'sharrid' (scatter/disperse) as referring to inflicting decisive military defeat that serves as a warning to enemy reinforcements and allies. The phrase 'those behind them' refers to other enemies or potential aggressors who might be deterred by witnessing the consequences of opposing the believers.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Anfal, a Medinan surah revealed after the Battle of Badr (2 AH), the first major military engagement between the Muslims and the Quraysh. The surah addresses military strategy and conduct during warfare, providing guidance to the Muslim community as they transitioned from a persecuted minority to a state defending itself militarily. The context concerns proper conduct in warfare and the deterrent effect of resolute military response.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'The best of you are those who learn the Qur'an and teach it' (Sahih Bukhari 5027), relating to the purpose of 'dhikr' (remembrance/reminder). Additionally, the Prophet's military expeditions exemplified strategic decisiveness—when enemies were defeated conclusively at Badr and Hunayn, it deterred subsequent aggression (Sirat Ibn Hisham).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that strength and compassion are not mutually exclusive—decisive action against oppressors serves both justice and mercy by preventing future bloodshed through deterrence. For believers today, it emphasizes that standing firm against injustice and evil, when necessary, ultimately serves the greater good of protecting the innocent and deterring would-be aggressors.