JUZ TEN
The theme of war and conflict flows throughout the tenth juz of the Qur’an. This juz begins at verse 41 of Surah al-Anfal and ends at verse 86 of Surah al-Tawbah. These two surahs are known as the wartime chapters and are often misquoted by Islamophobes to project a false image of Islam. There are many verses in this juz that are quoted out of context to make Islam look violent and intolerant. Yet there are many other verses in this juz that are ignored that balance or explain these verses and give the full picture.
Surah al-Anfal was revealed after the Battle of Badr; Surah al-Tawbah was one of the last Madinan surahs and was revealed after the expedition to Tabook. Both surahs were revealed during military campaigns and their verses reflect these circumstances. To take these verses out of context is dishonest. It also distracts from the many beautiful lessons we can derive from these two surahs as many people shy away from discussing them because of their association with the concept of jihad.
In these two surahs, we see the beginning and the end of the military campaigns of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم against the Quraysh. Surah al-Anfal reflects on their first victory reminding us that victory is from Allah, and piety is what matters most. Surah al-Tawbah was revealed after the biggest victory of the Muslims, the conquest of Makkah showing the Muslims a the height of their power. Between these two surahs, we see various reflections on how Muslims should behave during wartime, times of peace, and when in a position of power. In all situations, justice and piety take precedence over anything else.
An often-misquoted verse is verse 60 of Surah al-Anfal; “And prepare against them all the power you can muster, and all the cavalry you can mobilize, to terrify thereby God’s enemies and your enemies, and others besides them whom you do not know, but God knows them. Whatever you spend in God’s way will be repaid to you in full, and you will not be wronged.”
This verse is often portrayed as promoting violence against innocent civilians, yet its context clearly shows otherwise. The verse promotes the importance of the Muslim nation having a strong military presence so that it is not a target of tyrants and enemies. The goal is to avoid war by establishing a position of power. The following verse helps us understand its proper context, “But if they incline towards peace, then incline towards it, and put your trust in God. He is the Hearer, the Knower.” This teaches us that the default is peace, and military strength is a means towards establishing peace and justice.
Another important verse in this Surah is verse 70 which was revealed about the uncle of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم ʿAbbas; “If God finds any good in your hearts, He will give you better than what was taken from you, and He will forgive you. God is Forgiving and Merciful.”
ʿAbbas was forced to fight the Muslims at Badr, but he just stood there and allowed himself to be captured. He was captured by Abu Yusuf al-Sulami, a smaller man who tied him up. He was assisted by an angel in capturing ʿAbbas. Allah wanted ʿAbbas captured early, so he was not killed. It was painful for the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and his companions to see their loved ones as their captives. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم gave concessions to his uncle and out of justice, any concessions he gave to ʿAbbas, he gave to all the captives. He even started new methods of ransom including teaching people in exchange for freedom. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم asked ʿAbbas to ransom himself and he said that he did not have any money. The Prophet
صلى الله عليه وسلم told him about some money only he and his wife knew about. ʿAbbas immediately realized that he was a true prophet, and some narrators claim he accepted Islam then. This verse was revealed then promising goodness in both worlds to ʿAbbas and those like him. After paying that ransom, ʿAbbas grew wealthier every day and never lost wealth again.
Surah al-Tawbah was revealed around the time of the expedition to Tabuk and reflects the various political events that took place that year. It flows from Surah al-Anfal like one surah sharing a theme of military struggle. Tabuk was a long and brutal expedition in which the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and thirty thousand companions set out to face the Byzantine army.
It was a long march through the desert in the middle of Summer. Leaving Madinah for this expedition was itself a test from Allah. Eventually, no battle took place as the Byzantine army did not show up. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم returned home with a strong psychological victory, but the event had exposed the hypocrites and those inclined to this world.
The surah also reflects on other events that took place that year, including the Battle of Ḥunayn. Ḥunayn is one of two battles mentioned by name in the Qur’an, the other being Badr. Allah reminds us that victory is not linked to numbers and is from Allah. At Ḥunayn, some companions assumed that their numbers would cause their victory. They faced an initial setback but eventually were victorious after remembering that victory is from Allah.
God has given you victory in numerous regions; but on the day of Hunain, your great number impressed you, but it availed you nothing; and the land, as spacious as it was, narrowed for you; and you turned your backs in retreat.
Throughout this surah, we are reminded that victory is from Allah and only He can assist us. We are reminded about the difficult migration journey and how Allah protected the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and Abu Bakr in the cave during this journey. This surah provides a powerful example of true belief in the person of Abu Bakr and contrasts that with the weakness of the hypocrites who tried to cause multiple problems that year.
If you do not help him, God has already helped him, when those who disbelieved expelled him, and he was the second of two in the cave. He said to his friend, “Do not worry, God is with us.” And God made His tranquility descend upon him, and supported him with forces you did not see and made the word of those who disbelieved the lowest, while the Word of God is the Highest. God is Mighty and Wise.
After the verse about the piety of Abu Bakr, the case of the hypocrites is discussed. They refused to march in the heat, and this exposed their true nature. The hypocrites are discussed multiple times throughout this surah as they caused many problems during that year. The following verses all expose some of the faults of these hypocrites.
Had the gain been immediate, and the journey shorter, they would have followed you; but the distance seemed too long for them. Still, they swear by God: “Had we been able, we would have marched out with you.” They damn their own souls, and God knows that they are lying.
Let neither their possessions nor their children impress you. God intends to torment them through them in this worldly life, and that their souls depart while they are disbelievers.
Those who criticize the believers who give charity voluntarily, and ridicule those who find nothing to give except their own efforts—God ridicules them. They will have a painful punishment.
Nor on those who approach you, wishing to ride with you, and you said, “I have nothing to carry you on.” So, they went away, with their eyes overflowing with tears, sorrowing for not finding the means to spend.
Two qualities of the hypocrites were exposed by these events. The first is that they mock the efforts of the believers while doing nothing productive themselves. Their lives revolve around criticizing others and they contribute nothing to society. The second quality is that they often have a victim mentality and blame all their problems on their circumstances. They use their circumstances as an excuse to avoid good deeds.
Surah Tawbah continues into the next juz and continues to contrast the qualities of the believers with those of the hypocrites, showing us both the path to righteousness and the paths of misguidance.
By Dr. Omar Suleiman & Sh. Ismail Kamdar
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