Translation
In the name of God, the most Merciful and the Instiller of Mercy [to His creatures].
They (faithful)ask you (Prophet) about spoils [anfaal] from battle. Say: such resource is for God and His prophet (i.e., for common good). Therefore, be mindful of God and your responsibility to one another, settle your differences and align with God and His prophet, if you claim to have faith. 395
True believers are those whose hearts are full of awe when God is remembered among them and when God’s guidance and revelations are discussed; these increase their faith and reaffirm their trust in God. These people establish worship of God (as part of their daily living) and dedicate part of their resources for the benefit of others. These are the markers of real believers who will be elevated in presence of God, receive His forgiveness, protection and dignified provision (in this world and in the hereafter). 396
Interpretation
395 Strong encouragement is made not to use spoils from the battle for personal gain but for the purpose of common good where nothing personal is expected in return. It is a foundational responsibility of every individual and every society to make such provision so that every citizen and every resident can have a level playing field based on merit and hard work and not based on inheritance and what zip code you live in. This responsibility is a reflective of our individual and collective accountability to God, our Creator, a process to reconcile our social and economic disparities and a way to align our human nature with the true nature of God, in whose image and of whose nature we are made. Even the need for war for the causes of truth and justice, and not for corruption and power, is a gift that fellow human beings confer to one another when done without any expectation of fame or material gains. It is meant for the common good, and such an attitude and mindfulness can deter evil and false war, which cause untold human sufferings and social bankruptcy, something we see in many parts of the world today, whether it is state-sponsored war, ethnic cleansing, or terrorist-driven harms done to innocent civilians in many failed states and various parts of the world.
396 In the context of this call for sacrifices and gifts for common good, a reminder is given that some qualities are essential that lead to such selflessness and goodwill by people, who are always mindful of their relationship to their Creator, who are disciplined and devoted to worship, which fortifies them against evil and draws them toward truth and justice, and hence, dedicate their life, property, and intellect as gifts for common good, beyond personal interest and provision. They are the ones considered to be better human beings worthy of God’s grace, protection, and provision.
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REFLECTION
Islam made an early call to make provision for common good as part of its orientation for building a better society. Early Islamic empires and nations states were very good at building infrastructure, making education a priority, and ensuring justice for common people, which led to a civilization that rivaled all others prior to its emergence. This is a norm that God had put in place, and we can see with our own eyes, from a material perspective alone, that societies that provide for the common good are better and more prosperous societies, irrespective of religious affiliation.
ACTION
Each one of us must figure out where and how we can be effective for ensuring the common good. We need to find our passions, our unique capabilities, and our desires where best we can be effective and where we find a group of people that have similar ideas and aspirations. This common good can come from all dimensions—establishing truth and justice in society; ensuring the rule of law, freedom of press, affordable infrastructure and education for all; curbing corruption, political hegemony, and corporate greed; protecting the environment; maintaining the quality of water, air, and soil; et cetera. In parallel we need to bring about our spiritual upliftment by understanding God and His creative capacities for the universe and our alliance with God and the natural world, an area that has fallen into disfavor among many people around the world on the basis of false narrative of religion versus true faith and failing to connect our humanism with our innate human nature created in the nature of God, the Creator.
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Key Arabic Term
119. anfaal (Spoils from battle) (8:1)