008 Surah Anfaal

Surat al-Anfal ("The Spoils of War") is the eighth chapter of the Qur'an, with 75 verses. It is a Medinan surah, completed after the Battle of Badr. It forms a pair with the next sura, At-Tawba. Badr is also the subject of Surah 8: al-Anfal, which details military conduct and operations. Though the Sura does not name Badr, it describes the battle several times: “Remember ye were on the hither side of the valley, and they on the farther side, and the caravan on lower ground than ye. Even if ye had made a mutual appointment to meet, ye would certainly have failed in the appointment: But (thus ye met), that Allah might accomplish a matter . For to Allah do all questions go back (for decision). ([Quran 8:42])” “And be not like those turned on his heels, and said: "Lo! I am clear of you; lo! I see what ye see not; Lo! I fear Allah. for Allah is strict in punishment. ([Quran 8:47])” These verses highlighted both the chance encounter of the battle (both sides had blundered into each other) as well as the underestimation of both the size of Meccan army by the Muslims and the fierceness of the Muslim army by the Meccans. The Meccan army was described in the second verses, and "Satan" may be referring to Amr ibn Hisham, who was hated by the Muslims and allegedly pushed for the battle repeatedly. --- Updated: 2018-08-18