Surah Anfal ayat 42 Tafsir Quran 8:42

﴿إِذْ أَنتُم بِالْعُدْوَةِ الدُّنْيَا وَهُم بِالْعُدْوَةِ الْقُصْوَىٰ وَالرَّكْبُ أَسْفَلَ مِنكُمْ ۚ وَلَوْ تَوَاعَدتُّمْ لَاخْتَلَفْتُمْ فِي الْمِيعَادِ ۙ وَلَٰكِن لِّيَقْضِيَ اللَّهُ أَمْرًا كَانَ مَفْعُولًا لِّيَهْلِكَ مَنْ هَلَكَ عَن بَيِّنَةٍ وَيَحْيَىٰ مَنْ حَيَّ عَن بَيِّنَةٍ ۗ وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَسَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ﴾
[ الأنفال: 42]

8:42 [Remember] when you were on the near side of the valley, and they were on the farther side, and the caravan was lower [in position] than you. If you had made an appointment [to meet], you would have missed the appointment. But [it was] so that Allah might accomplish a matter already destined - that those who perished [through disbelief] would perish upon evidence and those who lived [in faith] would live upon evidence; and indeed, Allah is Hearing and Knowing.

When idh substitutes for yawma ‘the day’ you were on the nearer bank the one nearer to Medina read ‘udwa or ‘idwa meaning ‘the side of a valley’ and they were on the yonder bank the one further from it and the cavalcade the caravan was in a place below you the coastal side; and had you and the enemy band agreed to meet for battle you would have surely failed to keep meeting; but He brought you together at a different time that God might conclude a matter that was to be done through His knowledge — namely the victory of Islam and the obliteration of unbelief — He did this so that he who perished might perish might be a disbeliever even after a clear proof that is after a manifest proof has been established against him namely the triumph of the believers despite their small number over the larger enemy army; and that he who survived might live might believe after a clear proof; surely God is Hearing Knowing.

You were on the near side of the valley and the infidels on the far side, and the caravan below you marching by; a web of circumstance calculated and timely arranged by the Omnipotent. Had you tried to plan such a precise arrangement you would have failed. Allah had planned it in such a manner as to serve His purpose and to help you obtain an advantage over your enemy who outnumbered you to a great disproportion, the survivors among the infidels will then realize that their defeat was made by Allahs Omnipotence and Authority and the survivors among the Muslim victors realize Allahs Omnipotence and Sovereignty and Allah is indeed Samiun with unlimited audition and Alimun

Some Details of the Battle of Badr Allah describes Yawm Al-Furqan, ( i.e.
the day of Badr ), إِذْ أَنتُم بِالْعُدْوَةِ الدُّنْيَا ( (And remember ) when you ( the Muslim army ) were on the near side of the valley,) camping in the closest entrance of the valley towards Al-Madinah, وَهُمْ ( and they ), the idolators, who were camped, بِالْعُدْوَةِ الْقُصْوَى ( on the farther side ), from Al-Madinah, towards Makkah. وَالرَّكْبُ ( and the caravan ), that was under the command of Abu Sufyan, with the wealth that it contained, أَسْفَلَ مِنكُمْ ( on the ground lower than you ), closer to the sea, وَلَوْ تَوَاعَدتُّمْ ( even if you had made a mutual appointment to meet, ) you and the idolators, لاَخْتَلَفْتُمْ فِي الْمِيعَـدِ ( you would certainly have failed in the appointment ) Muhammad bin Ishaq said, "Yahya bin `Abbad bin `Abdullah bin Az-Zubayr narrated to me from his father about this Ayah "Had there been an appointed meeting set between you and them and you came to know of their superior numbers and your few forces, you would not have met them, وَلَـكِن لِّيَقْضِيَ اللَّهُ أَمْراً كَانَ مَفْعُولاً ( but (you met ) that Allah might accomplish a matter already ordained,) Allah had decreed that He would bring glory to Islam and its people, while disgracing Shirk and its people.
You the companions had no knowledge this would happen, but it was out of Allah's compassion that He did that." In a Hadith, Ka`b bin Malik said, "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ and the Muslims marched to intercept the Quraysh caravan, but Allah made them meet their ( armed ) enemy without appointment." Muhammad bin Ishaq said that Yazid bin Ruwman narrated to him that `Urwah bin Az-Zubayr said, "Upon approaching Badr, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ sent `Ali bin Abi Talib, Sa`d bin Abi Waqqas, Az-Zubayr bin Al-`Awwam and several other Companions to spy the pagans.
They captured two boys, a servant of Bani Sa`id bin Al-`As and a servant of Bani Al-Hajjaj, while they were bringing water for Quraysh.
So they brought them to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, but found him praying.
The Companions started interrogating the boys, asking them to whom they belonged.
Both of them said that they were employees bringing water for Quraysh ( army ).
The Componions were upset with that answer, since they thought that the boys belonged to Abu Sufyan ( who was commanding the caravan ).
So they beat the two boys vehemently, who said finally that they belonged to Abu Sufyan.
Thereupon companions left them alone.
When the Prophet ended the prayer, he said,
«إَذَا صَدَّقَاكُمْ ضَرَبْتُمُوهُمَا، وَإِذَا كَذَّبَاكُمْ تَرَكْتُمُوهُمَا، صَدَقَا وَاللهِ إِنَّهُمَا لِقُرَيْشٍ ، أَخْبِرَانِي عَنْ قُرَيْش»
( When they tell you the truth you beat them, but when they lie you let them go They have said the truth, by Allah! They belong to the Quraysh.
(addressing to the boys He said: ) Tell me the news about Quraysh.) The two boys said, `They are behind this hill that you see, on the far side of the valley.' The Messenger of Allah ﷺ asked,
«كَمِ الْقَوْمُ؟»
( How many are they ) They said, `They are many.' He asked,
«مَاعُدَّتُهُمْ؟»
( How many ) They said, `We do not know the precise number.' He asked,
«كَمْ يَنْحَرُونَ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ؟»
( How many camels do they slaughter every day ) They said, `Nine or ten a day.' The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
«الْقَوْمُ مَا بَيْنَ التِّسْعمِائَةِ إِلَى الْأَلْف»
( They are between nine-hundred and a thousand. ) He asked again,
«فَمَنْ فِيهِمْ مِنْ أَشْرَافِ قُرَيْشٍ؟»
( Which chiefs of Quraysh are accompanying the army ) They said, `Utbah bin Rabi`ah, Shaybah bin Rabi`ah, Abu Al-Bakhtari bin Hisham, Hakim bin Hizam, Nawfal bin Khuwaylid, Al-Harith bin `Amir bin Nawfal, Tu`aymah bin Adi bin Nawfal, An-Nadr bin Al-Harith, Zam`ah bin Al-Aswad, Abu Jahl bin Hisham, Umayyah bin Khalaf, Nabih and Munabbih sons of Al-Hajjaj, Suhayl bin `Amr and `Amr bin `Abd Wadd.' The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to the people,
«هَذِهِ مَكَّةُ قَدْ أَلْقَتْ إِلَيْكُمْ أَفَلَاذَ كَبِدِهَا»
( This is Makkah! She has brought you her most precious sons (its chiefs )!)" Allah said, لِّيَهْلِكَ مَنْ هَلَكَ عَن بَيِّنَةٍ وَيَحْيَى مَنْ حَىَّ عَن بَيِّنَةٍ ( So that those who were to be destroyed might be destroyed after a clear evidence. ) 8:42 Muhammad bin Ishaq commented, "So that those who disbelieve do so after witnessing clear evidence, proof and lessons, and those who believe do so after witnessing the same." This is a sound explanation.
Allah says, He made you meet your enemy in one area without appointment, so that He gives you victory over them.' This way, `He will raise the word of truth above falsehood, so that the matter is made clear, the proof unequivocal and the evidence plain.
Then there will be no more plea or doubt for anyone.
Then, those destined to destruction by persisting in disbelief do so with evidence, aware that they are misguided and that proof has been established against them, وَيَحْيَى مَنْ حَىَّ ( and those who were to live might live ), those who wish to believe do so, عَن بَيِّنَةٍ ( after a clear evidence ), and proof.
Verily, faith is the life of the heart, as Allah said, أَوَمَن كَانَ مَيْتًا فَأَحْيَيْنَـهُ وَجَعَلْنَا لَهُ نُورًا يَمْشِي بِهِ فِى النَّاسِ كَمَن ( Is he who was dead (without faith by ignorance and disbelief ) and We gave him life ( by knowledge and faith ) and set for him a light ( of belief ) whereby he can walk among men ...) 6:122. Allah said next, وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَسَمِيعٌ ( And surely, Allah is All-Hearer ), of your invocation, humility and requests for His help, عَلِيمٌ ( All-Knower ) meaning; about you, and you deserve victory over your rebellious, disbelieving enemies.

(8:42) And recall when you were encamped at the nearer end of the valley (of Badr) and they were at the farther end and the caravan below you (along the seaside). Had you made a mutual appointment to meet in encounter, you would have declined. But encounter was brought about so that Allah might accomplish what He had decreed, and that he who was to perish should perish through a clear proof, and who was to survive might survive through a clear proof. *34 Surely Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing. *35

[Remember] when you were on the near meaning

*34).
The living and the dead spoken of in the above verse do not signify the individuals who survived the battle or those killed during it.
The reference here is to the ideological entities of Islam and Jahiliyah.

*35).
God is neither blind nor deaf nor ignorant.
On the contrary, He is All-Knowing, All-Seeing, All-Wise.
Hence, we find reflection of God's knowledge, wisdom and justice in history.

 

Some Details of the Battle of Badr Allah describes Yawm Al-Furqan, ( i.e.
the day of Badr ), إِذْ أَنتُم بِالْعُدْوَةِ الدُّنْيَا ( (And remember ) when you ( the Muslim army ) were on the near side of the valley,) camping in the closest entrance of the valley towards Al-Madinah, وَهُمْ ( and they ), the idolators, who were camped, بِالْعُدْوَةِ الْقُصْوَى ( on the farther side ), from Al-Madinah, towards Makkah. وَالرَّكْبُ ( and the caravan ), that was under the command of Abu Sufyan, with the wealth that it contained, أَسْفَلَ مِنكُمْ ( on the ground lower than you ), closer to the sea, وَلَوْ تَوَاعَدتُّمْ ( even if you had made a mutual appointment to meet, ) you and the idolators, لاَخْتَلَفْتُمْ فِي الْمِيعَـدِ ( you would certainly have failed in the appointment ) Muhammad bin Ishaq said, "Yahya bin `Abbad bin `Abdullah bin Az-Zubayr narrated to me from his father about this Ayah "Had there been an appointed meeting set between you and them and you came to know of their superior numbers and your few forces, you would not have met them, وَلَـكِن لِّيَقْضِيَ اللَّهُ أَمْراً كَانَ مَفْعُولاً ( but (you met ) that Allah might accomplish a matter already ordained,) Allah had decreed that He would bring glory to Islam and its people, while disgracing Shirk and its people.
You the companions had no knowledge this would happen, but it was out of Allah's compassion that He did that." In a Hadith, Ka`b bin Malik said, "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ and the Muslims marched to intercept the Quraysh caravan, but Allah made them meet their ( armed ) enemy without appointment." Muhammad bin Ishaq said that Yazid bin Ruwman narrated to him that `Urwah bin Az-Zubayr said, "Upon approaching Badr, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ sent `Ali bin Abi Talib, Sa`d bin Abi Waqqas, Az-Zubayr bin Al-`Awwam and several other Companions to spy the pagans.
They captured two boys, a servant of Bani Sa`id bin Al-`As and a servant of Bani Al-Hajjaj, while they were bringing water for Quraysh.
So they brought them to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, but found him praying.
The Companions started interrogating the boys, asking them to whom they belonged.
Both of them said that they were employees bringing water for Quraysh ( army ).
The Componions were upset with that answer, since they thought that the boys belonged to Abu Sufyan ( who was commanding the caravan ).
So they beat the two boys vehemently, who said finally that they belonged to Abu Sufyan.
Thereupon companions left them alone.
When the Prophet ended the prayer, he said, «إَذَا صَدَّقَاكُمْ ضَرَبْتُمُوهُمَا، وَإِذَا كَذَّبَاكُمْ تَرَكْتُمُوهُمَا، صَدَقَا وَاللهِ إِنَّهُمَا لِقُرَيْشٍ ، أَخْبِرَانِي عَنْ قُرَيْش» ( When they tell you the truth you beat them, but when they lie you let them go They have said the truth, by Allah! They belong to the Quraysh.
(addressing to the boys He said: ) Tell me the news about Quraysh.) The two boys said, `They are behind this hill that you see, on the far side of the valley.' The Messenger of Allah ﷺ asked, «كَمِ الْقَوْمُ؟» ( How many are they ) They said, `They are many.' He asked, «مَاعُدَّتُهُمْ؟» ( How many ) They said, `We do not know the precise number.' He asked, «كَمْ يَنْحَرُونَ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ؟» ( How many camels do they slaughter every day ) They said, `Nine or ten a day.' The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, «الْقَوْمُ مَا بَيْنَ التِّسْعمِائَةِ إِلَى الْأَلْف» ( They are between nine-hundred and a thousand. ) He asked again, «فَمَنْ فِيهِمْ مِنْ أَشْرَافِ قُرَيْشٍ؟» ( Which chiefs of Quraysh are accompanying the army ) They said, `Utbah bin Rabi`ah, Shaybah bin Rabi`ah, Abu Al-Bakhtari bin Hisham, Hakim bin Hizam, Nawfal bin Khuwaylid, Al-Harith bin `Amir bin Nawfal, Tu`aymah bin Adi bin Nawfal, An-Nadr bin Al-Harith, Zam`ah bin Al-Aswad, Abu Jahl bin Hisham, Umayyah bin Khalaf, Nabih and Munabbih sons of Al-Hajjaj, Suhayl bin `Amr and `Amr bin `Abd Wadd.' The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to the people, «هَذِهِ مَكَّةُ قَدْ أَلْقَتْ إِلَيْكُمْ أَفَلَاذَ كَبِدِهَا» ( This is Makkah! She has brought you her most precious sons (its chiefs )!)" Allah said, لِّيَهْلِكَ مَنْ هَلَكَ عَن بَيِّنَةٍ وَيَحْيَى مَنْ حَىَّ عَن بَيِّنَةٍ ( So that those who were to be destroyed might be destroyed after a clear evidence. ) 8:42 Muhammad bin Ishaq commented, "So that those who disbelieve do so after witnessing clear evidence, proof and lessons, and those who believe do so after witnessing the same." This is a sound explanation.
Allah says, He made you meet your enemy in one area without appointment, so that He gives you victory over them.' This way, `He will raise the word of truth above falsehood, so that the matter is made clear, the proof unequivocal and the evidence plain.
Then there will be no more plea or doubt for anyone.
Then, those destined to destruction by persisting in disbelief do so with evidence, aware that they are misguided and that proof has been established against them, وَيَحْيَى مَنْ حَىَّ ( and those who were to live might live ), those who wish to believe do so, عَن بَيِّنَةٍ ( after a clear evidence ), and proof.
Verily, faith is the life of the heart, as Allah said, أَوَمَن كَانَ مَيْتًا فَأَحْيَيْنَـهُ وَجَعَلْنَا لَهُ نُورًا يَمْشِي بِهِ فِى النَّاسِ كَمَن ( Is he who was dead (without faith by ignorance and disbelief ) and We gave him life ( by knowledge and faith ) and set for him a light ( of belief ) whereby he can walk among men ...) 6:122. Allah said next, وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَسَمِيعٌ ( And surely, Allah is All-Hearer ), of your invocation, humility and requests for His help, عَلِيمٌ ( All-Knower ) meaning; about you, and you deserve victory over your rebellious, disbelieving enemies.

( When ye were ) O believers ( on the near bank (of the valley )) close to Medina ( and they ) Abu Jahl and his host ( were on the yonder bank ) farther from Medina, beyond the valley, ( and the caravan ) of Abu Sufyan and his host ( was below you (on the coast plain )) three miles away. ( And had ye trysted to meet one another ) in Medina to fight ( ye surely would have failed to keep the tryst ) to be able to do so, ( but (it happened, as it did, without the forethought of either of you ) that Allah might conclude a thing that must be done) giving victory and the spoils of war to the Prophet ( pbuh ) and his Companions, and death and defeat to Abu Jahl and his host; ( that he who perished (on that day ) might perish) he who perished as a disbeliever may perish ( by a clear proof ) after showing Allah’s assistance to Muhammad ( pbuh ) ( and he who survived ) and was firm on faith ( might survive ) he whom Allah wills to make firm on faith ( by a clear proof ) after showing His assistance to Muhammad, Allah give him peace. It is also said that this means: so that he disbelieves he whom Allah willed him to disbelieve after seeing the clear proof ( victory and seizure of the spoils of war by the Prophet (pbuh )) and so that he believes he whom Allah willed him to believe after seeing the clear proof. ( Lo! Allah in truth is Hearer ) of your supplications, ( Knower ) of the answer to your calls and assistance.

(And remember) when you (the Muslim army) were on the near side of the valley, and they on the farther side, and the caravan on the ground lower than you. Even if you had made a mutual appointment to meet, you would certainly have failed in the appointment, but (you met) that Allah might accomplish a matter already ordained (in His Knowledge); so that those who were to be destroyed (for their rejecting the Faith) might be destroyed after a clear evidence, and those who were to live (i.e. believers) might live after a clear evidence. And surely, Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower.

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