Surah Anfal ayat 48 Tafsir Quran 8:48

﴿وَإِذْ زَيَّنَ لَهُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ أَعْمَالَهُمْ وَقَالَ لَا غَالِبَ لَكُمُ الْيَوْمَ مِنَ النَّاسِ وَإِنِّي جَارٌ لَّكُمْ ۖ فَلَمَّا تَرَاءَتِ الْفِئَتَانِ نَكَصَ عَلَىٰ عَقِبَيْهِ وَقَالَ إِنِّي بَرِيءٌ مِّنكُمْ إِنِّي أَرَىٰ مَا لَا تَرَوْنَ إِنِّي أَخَافُ اللَّهَ ۚ وَاللَّهُ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ﴾
[ الأنفال: 48]

8:48 And [remember] when Satan made their deeds pleasing to them and said, "No one can overcome you today from among the people, and indeed, I am your protector." But when the two armies sighted each other, he turned on his heels and said, "Indeed, I am disassociated from you. Indeed, I see what you do not see; indeed I fear Allah. And Allah is severe in penalty."

And mention that Satan Iblīs adorned their deeds for them by encouraging them to go to meet the Muslims when they had feared to set out on account of their enemy the Banū Bakr and said to them ‘Today no person shall overcome you for I shall be your protector’ from among the Banū Kināna — he appeared to them in the form of Surāqa b. Mālik the chieftain of that region. But when the two armies the Muslims and the disbelievers sighted each other when they met and he Satan saw the angels his hand clasping that of al-Hārith b. Hishām he turned his back he withdrew in flight saying — when they had said to him ‘Are you abandoning us in such a predicament?’ ‘I am quit of you of being your protector for I see what you do not see in the way of angels. I fear God lest He destroy me; and God is severe in retribution’.

They were befooled by AL-Shaytan and those with characteristics befitting him who allured them to brighter worlds as a logical result and sequence to their doings and led the way. Rest assured , AL-Shaytan said, that no man can overpower you today in battle and I will be by your side. But when the two forces met** he turned on his heels and reversed his position declaring his innocence of their ills, and said: I see with my minds eyes what you cannot see; I fear Allah Whose torment is laid upon the damned

The Idolators leave Makkah, heading for Badr After Allah commanded the believers to fight in His cause sincerely and to be mindful of Him, He commanded not to imitate the idolators, who went out of their homes بَطَراً ( boastfully ) to suppress the truth, وَرِئَآءَ النَّاسِ ( and to be seen of men ), boasting arrogantly with people.
When Abu Jahl was told that the caravan escaped safely, so they should return to Makkah, he commented, "No, by Allah! We will not go back until we proceed to the well of Badr, slaughter camels, drink alcohol and female singers sing to us.
This way, the Arabs will always talk about our stance and what we did on that day." However, all of this came back to haunt Abu Jahl, because when they proceeded to the well of Badr, they brought themselves to death; and in the aftermath of Badr, they were thrown in the well of Badr, dead, disgraced, humiliated, despised and miserable in an everlasting, eternal torment.
This is why Allah said here, وَاللَّهُ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ مُحِيطٌ ( and Allah is Muhit (encompassing and thoroughly comprehending ) all that they do.) He knows how and what they came for, and this is why He made them taste the worst punishment.
Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, Qatadah, Ad-Dahhak and As-Suddi commented on Allah's statement, وَلاَ تَكُونُواْ كَالَّذِينَ خَرَجُواْ مِن دِيَـرِهِم بَطَراً وَرِئَآءَ النَّاسِ ( And be not like those who come out of their homes boastfully and to be seen of men, ) "They were the idolators who fought against the Messenger of Allah ﷺ at Badr." Muhammad bin Ka`b said, "When the Quraysh left Makkah towards Badr, they brought female singers and drums along.
Allah revealed this verse, وَلاَ تَكُونُواْ كَالَّذِينَ خَرَجُواْ مِن دِيَـرِهِم بَطَراً وَرِئَآءَ النَّاسِ وَيَصُدُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ مُحِيطٌ ( And be not like those who come out of their homes boastfully and to be seen of men, and hinder (men ) from the path of Allah; and Allah is Muhit ( encompassing and thoroughly comprehending ) all that they do.) Shaytan makes Evil seem fair and deceives the Idolators Allah said next, وَإِذْ زَيَّنَ لَهُمُ الشَّيْطَـنُ أَعْمَـلَهُمْ وَقَالَ لاَ غَالِبَ لَكُمُ الْيَوْمَ مِنَ النَّاسِ وَإِنِّي جَارٌ لَّكُمْ ( And (remember ) when Shaytan made their ( evil ) deeds seem fair to them and said, "No one of mankind can overcome you today and verily, I am your neighbor.") Shaytan, may Allah curse him, made the idolators' purpose for marching seem fair to them.
He made them think that no other people could defeat them that day.
He also ruled out the possibility that their enemies, the tribe of Bani Bakr, would attack Makkah, saying, "I am your neighbor." Shaytan appeared to them in the shape of Suraqah bin Malik bin Ju`shum, the chief of Bani Mudlij, so that, as Allah described them, يَعِدُهُمْ وَيُمَنِّيهِمْ وَمَا يَعِدُهُمْ الشَّيْطَـنُ إِلاَّ غُرُوراً ( He Shaytan makes promises to them, and arouses in them false desires; and Shaytan's promises are nothing but deceptions )4:120. Ibn Jurayj said that Ibn `Abbas commented on this Ayah, ( 8:48 ) "On the day of Badr, Shaytan, as well as, his flag holder and soldiers, accompanied the idolators.
He whispered to the hearts of the idolators, `None can defeat you today! I am your neighbor.' When they met the Muslims and Shaytan witnessed the angels coming to their aid, نَكَصَ عَلَى عَقِبَيْهِ ( he ran away ), he went away in flight while proclaiming, إِنِّي أَرَى مَا لاَ تَرَوْنَ ( Verily, I see what you see not. )" `Ali bin Abi Talhah said, that Ibn `Abbas said about this Ayah, لاَ غَالِبَ لَكُمُ الْيَوْمَ مِنَ النَّاسِ وَإِنِّي جَارٌ لَّكُمْ ( "No one of mankind can overcome you today and verily, I am your neighbor' ) "Shaytan, as well as, his devil army and flag holders, came on the day of Badr in the shape of a Suraqah bin Malik bin Ju`shum, man from Bani Mudlij, Shaytan said to idolators, `None will defeat you this day, and I will help you.' When the two armies stood face to face, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ took a handful of sand and threw it at the faces of the idolators, causing them to retreat.
Jibril, peace be upon him, came towards Shaytan, but when Shaytan, while holding the hand of a Mushrik man, saw him, he withdrew his hand and ran away with his soldiers.
That man asked him, `O Suraqah! You claimed that you are our neighbor' He said, إِنِّي أَرَى مَا لاَ تَرَوْنَ إِنِّي أَخَافُ اللَّهَ وَاللَّهُ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ ( Verily, I see what you see not.
Verily, I fear Allah for Allah is severe in punishment ) Shaytan said this when he saw the angels." The Position of the Hypocrites in Badr Allah said next, إِذْ يَقُولُ الْمُنَـفِقُونَ وَالَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ غَرَّ هَـؤُلاءِ دِينُهُمْ ( When the hypocrites and those in whose hearts was a disease (of disbelief ) said: "These people ( Muslims ) are deceived by their religion.") `Ali bin Abi Talhah said that Ibn `Abbas commented, "When the two armies drew closer to each other, Allah made the Muslims look few in the eyes of the idolators and the idolators look few in the eyes of the Muslims.
The idolators said, غَرَّ هَـؤُلاءِ دِينُهُمْ ( These people (Muslims ) are deceived by their religion.) because they thought that Muslims were so few.
They believed, without doubt, that they would defeat the Muslims.
Allah said, وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ ( But whoever puts his trust in Allah, then surely, Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise. ) Qatadah commented, "They saw a group of believers who came in defense of Allah's religion.
We were informed that when he saw Muhammad and his Companions, Abu Jahl said, `By Allah! After this day, they will never worship Allah!' He said this in viciousness and transgression." `Amir Ash-Sha`bi said, "Some people from Makkah were considering embracing Islam, but when they went with the idolators to Badr and saw how few the Muslims were, they said, غَرَّ هَـؤُلاءِ دِينُهُمْ ( These people (Muslims ) are deceived by their religion.) Allah said next, وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ ( But whoever puts his trust in Allah ), and relies on His grace, فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ ( then surely, Allah is All-Mighty ), and verily, those who take His side in the dispute are never overwhelmed, for His side is mighty, powerful and His authority is All-Great, حَكِيمٌ ( All-Wise ) in all His actions, for He places everything in its rightful place, giving victory to those who deserve it and defeat to those who deserve it.

The Idolators leave Makkah, heading for Badr After Allah commanded the believers to fight in His cause sincerely and to be mindful of Him, He commanded not to imitate the idolators, who went out of their homes بَطَراً ( boastfully ) to suppress the truth, وَرِئَآءَ النَّاسِ ( and to be seen of men ), boasting arrogantly with people.
When Abu Jahl was told that the caravan escaped safely, so they should return to Makkah, he commented, "No, by Allah! We will not go back until we proceed to the well of Badr, slaughter camels, drink alcohol and female singers sing to us.
This way, the Arabs will always talk about our stance and what we did on that day." However, all of this came back to haunt Abu Jahl, because when they proceeded to the well of Badr, they brought themselves to death; and in the aftermath of Badr, they were thrown in the well of Badr, dead, disgraced, humiliated, despised and miserable in an everlasting, eternal torment.
This is why Allah said here, وَاللَّهُ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ مُحِيطٌ ( and Allah is Muhit (encompassing and thoroughly comprehending ) all that they do.) He knows how and what they came for, and this is why He made them taste the worst punishment.
Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, Qatadah, Ad-Dahhak and As-Suddi commented on Allah's statement, وَلاَ تَكُونُواْ كَالَّذِينَ خَرَجُواْ مِن دِيَـرِهِم بَطَراً وَرِئَآءَ النَّاسِ ( And be not like those who come out of their homes boastfully and to be seen of men, ) "They were the idolators who fought against the Messenger of Allah ﷺ at Badr." Muhammad bin Ka`b said, "When the Quraysh left Makkah towards Badr, they brought female singers and drums along.
Allah revealed this verse, وَلاَ تَكُونُواْ كَالَّذِينَ خَرَجُواْ مِن دِيَـرِهِم بَطَراً وَرِئَآءَ النَّاسِ وَيَصُدُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ مُحِيطٌ ( And be not like those who come out of their homes boastfully and to be seen of men, and hinder (men ) from the path of Allah; and Allah is Muhit ( encompassing and thoroughly comprehending ) all that they do.) Shaytan makes Evil seem fair and deceives the Idolators Allah said next, وَإِذْ زَيَّنَ لَهُمُ الشَّيْطَـنُ أَعْمَـلَهُمْ وَقَالَ لاَ غَالِبَ لَكُمُ الْيَوْمَ مِنَ النَّاسِ وَإِنِّي جَارٌ لَّكُمْ ( And (remember ) when Shaytan made their ( evil ) deeds seem fair to them and said, "No one of mankind can overcome you today and verily, I am your neighbor.") Shaytan, may Allah curse him, made the idolators' purpose for marching seem fair to them.
He made them think that no other people could defeat them that day.
He also ruled out the possibility that their enemies, the tribe of Bani Bakr, would attack Makkah, saying, "I am your neighbor." Shaytan appeared to them in the shape of Suraqah bin Malik bin Ju`shum, the chief of Bani Mudlij, so that, as Allah described them, يَعِدُهُمْ وَيُمَنِّيهِمْ وَمَا يَعِدُهُمْ الشَّيْطَـنُ إِلاَّ غُرُوراً ( He Shaytan makes promises to them, and arouses in them false desires; and Shaytan's promises are nothing but deceptions )4:120. Ibn Jurayj said that Ibn `Abbas commented on this Ayah, ( 8:48 ) "On the day of Badr, Shaytan, as well as, his flag holder and soldiers, accompanied the idolators.
He whispered to the hearts of the idolators, `None can defeat you today! I am your neighbor.' When they met the Muslims and Shaytan witnessed the angels coming to their aid, نَكَصَ عَلَى عَقِبَيْهِ ( he ran away ), he went away in flight while proclaiming, إِنِّي أَرَى مَا لاَ تَرَوْنَ ( Verily, I see what you see not. )" `Ali bin Abi Talhah said, that Ibn `Abbas said about this Ayah, لاَ غَالِبَ لَكُمُ الْيَوْمَ مِنَ النَّاسِ وَإِنِّي جَارٌ لَّكُمْ ( "No one of mankind can overcome you today and verily, I am your neighbor' ) "Shaytan, as well as, his devil army and flag holders, came on the day of Badr in the shape of a Suraqah bin Malik bin Ju`shum, man from Bani Mudlij, Shaytan said to idolators, `None will defeat you this day, and I will help you.' When the two armies stood face to face, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ took a handful of sand and threw it at the faces of the idolators, causing them to retreat.
Jibril, peace be upon him, came towards Shaytan, but when Shaytan, while holding the hand of a Mushrik man, saw him, he withdrew his hand and ran away with his soldiers.
That man asked him, `O Suraqah! You claimed that you are our neighbor' He said, إِنِّي أَرَى مَا لاَ تَرَوْنَ إِنِّي أَخَافُ اللَّهَ وَاللَّهُ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ ( Verily, I see what you see not.
Verily, I fear Allah for Allah is severe in punishment ) Shaytan said this when he saw the angels." The Position of the Hypocrites in Badr Allah said next, إِذْ يَقُولُ الْمُنَـفِقُونَ وَالَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ غَرَّ هَـؤُلاءِ دِينُهُمْ ( When the hypocrites and those in whose hearts was a disease (of disbelief ) said: "These people ( Muslims ) are deceived by their religion.") `Ali bin Abi Talhah said that Ibn `Abbas commented, "When the two armies drew closer to each other, Allah made the Muslims look few in the eyes of the idolators and the idolators look few in the eyes of the Muslims.
The idolators said, غَرَّ هَـؤُلاءِ دِينُهُمْ ( These people (Muslims ) are deceived by their religion.) because they thought that Muslims were so few.
They believed, without doubt, that they would defeat the Muslims.
Allah said, وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ ( But whoever puts his trust in Allah, then surely, Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise. ) Qatadah commented, "They saw a group of believers who came in defense of Allah's religion.
We were informed that when he saw Muhammad and his Companions, Abu Jahl said, `By Allah! After this day, they will never worship Allah!' He said this in viciousness and transgression." `Amir Ash-Sha`bi said, "Some people from Makkah were considering embracing Islam, but when they went with the idolators to Badr and saw how few the Muslims were, they said, غَرَّ هَـؤُلاءِ دِينُهُمْ ( These people (Muslims ) are deceived by their religion.) Allah said next, وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ ( But whoever puts his trust in Allah ), and relies on His grace, فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ ( then surely, Allah is All-Mighty ), and verily, those who take His side in the dispute are never overwhelmed, for His side is mighty, powerful and His authority is All-Great, حَكِيمٌ ( All-Wise ) in all His actions, for He places everything in its rightful place, giving victory to those who deserve it and defeat to those who deserve it.

( And when Satan made their deeds seem fair to them ) and when Iblis made their marching against the Muslims seem fair to them ( and said: No one of mankind can conquer you this day ) he meant Muhammad ( pbuh ) and his Companions, ( for I am your protector ) I will help you. ( But when the armies came in sight of one another ) the army of the believers and the army of the disbelievers and Iblis saw Gabriel with the angels ( he took flight ) he retreated, ( saying ) to the disbelievers: ( Lo! I am guiltless of you ) and of your fighting. ( Lo! I see that which ye see not ) I see Gabriel while you do not see him. ( Lo! I fear Allah. And Allah is severe in punishment ) when He punishes; Iblis was scared of being captured by Gabriel and of being shown to the disbelievers, for then they would never obey him.

And (remember) when Shaitan (Satan) made their (evil) deeds seem fair to them and said, "No one of mankind can overcome you this Day (of the battle of Badr) and verily, I am your neighbour (for each and every help)." But when the two forces came in sight of each other, he ran away and said "Verily, I have nothing to do with you. Verily! I see what you see not. Verily! I fear Allah for Allah is Severe in punishment."

Page 183 English transliteration