Al-Anfaal 8:19

"If you [disbelievers] seek the decision [i.e., victory] - the decision [i.e., defeat] has come to you. And if you desist [from hostilities], it is best for you; but if you return [to war], We will return, and never will you be availed by your [large] company at all, even if it should increase; and [that is] because Allāh is with the believers."

The Response to the Disbelievers Who ask for a Judgement

Allah says to the disbeliever,

إِن تَسْتَفْتِحُواْ

(If you ask for a judgement), you invoked Allah for victory, judgement and a decision between you and your believing nemesis, and you got what you asked for. Muhammad bin Ishaq and several others reported from Az-Zuhri from `Abdullah bin Tha`labah bin Su`ayr who said that Abu Jahl said on the day of Badr, "O Allah! Whichever of the two camps (pagans and Muslims) severed the relation of the womb and brought us what is not familiar, then destroy him this day." This Ayah was later on revealed,

إِن تَسْتَفْتِحُواْ فَقَدْ جَآءَكُمُ الْفَتْحُ

(If you ask for a judgement, then now has the judgement come unto you,) until the end of the Ayah. Imam Ahmad recorded that `Abdullah bin Tha`labah said, "Abu Jahl asked for (Allah's judgment) when he said upon facing the Muslims, `O Allah! Those among us who severed the relations of the womb and brought forth what we do not recognize, then destroy him this day."' This was also recorded by An-Nasa'i in the Book of Tafsir (of his Sunan) and Al-Hakim in his Mustadrak, and he said, "It is Sahih according to the criteria of the Two Shaykhs, and they did not record it. ". Similar statements were reported from Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, Ad-Dahhak, Qatadah, Yazid bin Ruwman and several others. As-Suddi commented, "Before the idolators left Makkah for Badr, they clung to the curtains covering the Ka`bah and supplicated to Allah for victory, `O Allah! Give victory to the exalted among the two armies, the most honored among the two groups, and the most righteous among the two tribes.' Allah revealed the Ayah, F

إِن تَسْتَفْتِحُواْ فَقَدْ جَآءَكُمُ الْفَتْحُ

(If you ask for a judgement, then now has the judgement come unto you.) Allah says here, `I accepted your supplication and Muhammad gained the victory."'

`Abdur-Rahman bin Zayd bin Aslam said; "This is Allah the Most High's answer to their supplication;

وَإِذْ قَالُواْ اللَّهُمَّ إِن كَانَ هَـذَا هُوَ الْحَقَّ مِنْ عِندِكَ

(And (remember) when they said: "O Allah! If this is indeed the truth from you..)" 8:32

Allah said next,

وَإِن تَنتَهُواْ

(and if you cease...) from your disbelief and rejection of Allah and His Messenger ,

فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ

(it will be better for you), in this life and the Hereafter. Allah said,

وَإِن تَعُودُواْ نَعُدْ

(and if you return, so shall We return...) This is similar to another Ayah,

وَإِنْ عُدتُّمْ عُدْنَا

(but if you return (to sins), We shall return (to Our punishment).) 17:8 meaning, `if you persist in your disbelief and misguidance, We shall repeat the defeat that you suffered,'

وَلَن تُغْنِىَ عَنكُمْ فِئَتُكُمْ شَيْئاً وَلَوْ كَثُرَتْ

(and your forces will be of no avail to you, however numerous they be...) for even if you gather whatever forces you can, then know that those whom Allah is with cannot be defeated,

وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ

(and verily, Allah is with the believers.) in reference to the Prophet's group, the side of the chosen Messenger .

О многобожники! Вы призывали Аллаха наслать наказание на несправедливых преступников, и вот Он подверг вас мучительному наказанию. Оно доставило вам страдания и стало назидательным уроком для богобоязненных праведников. Если вы перестанете призывать Аллаха поскорее вынести приговор, так будет лучше для вас, поскольку Он может даровать вам отсрочку и не станет подвергать вас скорому наказанию. Но если вы не послушаетесь, то ваши помощники и союзники, на которых вы опираетесь в боях и сражениях, не принесут вам пользы, даже если ваше войско будет самым многочисленным. Аллах всегда помогает богобоязненным праведникам. И если Он поддерживает кого-либо, то победа всегда оказывается на их стороне, даже если они слабы и малочисленны. Присутствие Аллаха рядом с творениями, о котором говорится в этом аяте, означает, что Он поддерживает правоверных, что зависит от праведных деяний мусульман. Если Аллах иногда позволяет противнику одолеть правоверных, то причиной этого обязательно являются упущения со стороны правоверных, не выполняющих обязательных требований веры. А если они будут надлежащим образом выполнять все, что приказал Аллах, то никогда не будут окончательно повергнуты. После упоминания о том, что Аллах всегда помогает богобоязненным праведникам, Всевышний повелел им поступать в соответствии с требованиями веры, благодаря которой они могут заслужить Его поддержку:

It is interesting that these dimwitted people were under the impression that they were the ones higher and superior and better-guided as compared to Muslims, therefore, they surmised that the prayer they were making was in their own favour. They actually wanted that Allah would, through their prayer, give His verdict as to who was true and who was false. Thus, when they win, their victory would become the Divine verdict on their being on the side of truth.

But, they did not know that the prayer they were making was really a curse for their own selves, and that it was a supplication for the good of Muslims. After the end of the battle came, the Qur'an told them: إِن تَسْتَفْتِحُوا فَقَدْ جَاءَكُمُ الْفَتْحُ (If you pray for victory, "victory" has come upon you) that is, 'if you are looking for a Divine verdict, that is before you - truth has triumphed and falsehood has been defeated. Then: وَإِن تَنتَهُوا فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ‌ لَّكُمْ (if you give up it is better for you) that is, 'now is the time when, if you abandon your disbelief and hostility, it will turn out to be better for you.' And, if you still decide to revert back to your wickedness and the threat of armed aggression, then, Allah too will revert back and support Muslims: وَإِن تَعُودُوا نَعُدْ (And if you repeat, We shall repeat). In that case, the consequence would be: وَلَن تُغْنِيَ عَنكُمْ فِئَتُكُمْ شَيْئًا وَلَوْ كَثُرَ‌تْ (And your people shall not suffice you at all, even though they are many in number) that is, 'your numerical superiority and group strength shall be of no avail against the help and, support given by Allah.' As for the help and support of Allah: ti; (Allah is with the believers) that is, 'how can any group or power work for you when Allah Ta` ala, the very possessor of absolute power, is with the Muslims?'

Other English translations

Tafsīr · classical commentary

The Response to the Disbelievers Who ask for a Judgement