(Total of 75 verses; revealed in Madinah)
This surah takes its name from its first verse, where the word “Anfaal” is found. It literally means “excess or beyond what is necessary or required,” but in this instance it is commonly understood to mean gains from battle or war, a topic that has not been a subject of much discussion, if any at all, in human history until these revelations, laying out foundations on which battles should be fought, if at all, and how any gains, if any, should be shared for common good, rather than pure personal and material gains by the few who lead and undertake such battles.
This chapter deals with the very first armed conflicts with the emerging community of Muslims who have been pushed out of Makkah to Madinah and in that process lost families, properties, and dwellings, not to mention suffered physical harms and intense affronts to human dignity and social justice. This defines a moment in human history when passive resistance and fleeing from persecution was turned on its head, and a committed group of people who aspire for truth and justice was encouraged to stand up and fight against the oppressors and for justice, not only for themselves but also for all of humanity.
Prophet Moses could not fight the Pharaoh but instead choose to escape oppression and find a better place to build his community. Prophet Jesus executed passive but aggressive resistance against the misinterpretation and abuse of Mosaic laws and ways of life by high priests and Roman hegemony with his limited resources but powerful messages and inspiring healings. Prophet Mohammad offered passive resistance for thirteen years in Makkah (like Jesus), and then choose to migrate to Madinah (like Moses), and when confronted with an organized army and physical onslaught against his people who aspired for peace and justice and meant no harm to anyone, he encouraged, organized, and participated in facing such challenges head on with fighting battles in defense of his community, making physical sacrifices, upholding moral and spiritual values in dire circumstances, and creating the hallmark of new activism in human history where we are asked, individually and collectively, to establish truth and justice, fight against all forms of evil and injustice, and never compromise moral and ethical values while practicing deep devotion to God and to humanity at large. This chapter (surah) deals with, like many other earlier chapters, a diverse set of issues related to the human condition and human values while anchoring the theme around self-defense, how to face aggression, how to maintain purity of thoughts and values even in the face of difficult encounters, and how to have humility in the face of victory.
Following are key concepts in this surah, which are listed here and further explained at the end of the surah:
1. Nature of believers (8:2–4).
2. Spoils of battle explained (8:1, 41).
3. Encouragement to struggle against evil and injustice (8:5–19, 45–48, 65).
4. Mindfulness is essential for faithful (8:20–28).
5. God’s promise for success and protection (8:29–30).
6. God directs human affairs to create opportunities for success (8:42–44).
7. Rule of engagement in war (8:39).
8. We deserve what we strive for (8:53; see also 13:13).
9. Respect of mutual treaty and covenant (8:58, 61–62).
10. Conduct with prisoners of war (8:67, 70, 73).
11. Real alliance encompasses commitment and mutual support (8:72, 74–75).