Surah Al-Anfal — Verse 19
The Spoils of War · 8:19 · 19/75
إِن تَسْتَفْتِحُوا۟ فَقَدْ جَآءَكُمُ ٱلْفَتْحُ ۖ وَإِن تَنتَهُوا۟ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ ۖ وَإِن تَعُودُوا۟ نَعُدْ وَلَن تُغْنِىَ عَنكُمْ فِئَتُكُمْ شَيْـًٔا وَلَوْ كَثُرَتْ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
In tastaftihoo faqad jaakumualfathu wa-in tantahoo fahuwa khayrun lakum wa-intaAAoodoo naAAud walan tughniya AAankum fi-atukum shay-an walawkathurat waanna Allaha maAAa almu'mineen
Translations of this verse 7
Saheeh International
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.
M.A.S. Abdel Haleem
[Disbelievers], if you were seeking a decision, now you have witnessed one: if you stop here, it will be better for you. If you return, so shall We, and your forces, though greater in number, will be of no use to you. God is with the believers.
Marmaduke Pickthall
(O Qureysh!) If ye sought a judgment, now hath the judgment come unto you. And if ye cease (from persecuting the believers) it will be better for you, but if ye return (to the attack) We also shall return. And your host will avail you naught, however numerous it be, and (know) that Allah is with the believers (in His Guidance).
Abdullah Yusuf Ali
(O Unbelievers!) if ye prayed for victory and judgment, now hath the judgment come to you: if ye desist (from wrong), it will be best for you: if ye return (to the attack), so shall We. Not the least good will your forces be to you even if they were multiplied: for verily Allah is with those who believe!
Mufti Taqi Usmani
(O unbelievers,) if you were looking for a decision, the ‘decision’ has come upon you. And if you give up, it is better for you. And if you repeat, We shall repeat. And your people shall not suffice you at all, even though they are many in number; and Allah is with the believers.
Al-Hilali & Khan
(O disbelievers) if you ask for a judgement, now has the judgement come unto you; and if you cease (to do wrong), it will be better for you, and if you return (to the attack), so shall We return, and your forces will be of no avail to you, however numerous they be; and verily, Allâh is with the believers.
Abul A'la Maududi (Tafhim)
(Tell the unbelievers:) 'If you have sought a judgement, then surely a judgement has come to you. And if you desist from disobedience, it is all the better for you. But if you revert to your mischief, We will again chastise you; and your host, howsoever numerous, will never be of any avail to you. Know well, Allah is with the believers.'
Reason for Revelation Asbāb al-Nuzūl
Arabic source: al-Wāḥidī / al-Suyūṭī, via Tafsir Center for Quranic Studies (CC BY 4.0)
قال تعالى: {إِنْ تَسْتَفْتِحُوا فَقَدْ جَاءَكُمُ الْفَتْحُ وَإِنْ تَنْتَهُوا فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ وَإِنْ تَعُودُوا نَعُدْ وَلَنْ تُغْنِيَ عَنْكُمْ فِئَتُكُمْ شَيْئًا وَلَوْ كَثُرَتْ وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (19)} [الأنفال: 19].
186 - عن عبد الله بن ثعلبة بن صُعَيْر - رضي الله عنه -: أن أبا جهل قال يوم بدر: اللهم أينا كان أقطع للرحم، وآتانا بما لا يعرف، فأحنه الغداة، وكان استفتاحاً منه، فنزلت: {إِنْ تَسْتَفْتِحُوا فَقَدْ جَاءَكُمُ الْفَتْحُ}، إلى آخر الآية ¬أخرجه النَّسَائِيّ في التفسير برقم: 221، والحاكم: 2/ 328، وابن جرير: 9/ 208، والواحدي في أسباب النزول: ص 234، والبيهقي في الدلائل: 3/ 74، وابن إسحاق: 2/ 270، وأحمد: 5/ 431، وصححه الحاكم ووافقه الذهبي وهو صحيح كما قالوا، وزاد السيوطي عزوه في الدر: 3/ 175 لابن أبي شيبة وابن المنذر وابن أبي حاتم وأبي الشيخ، وابن مردويه وابن منده.¥.
187 - وقال تعالى: {وَمَا كَانَ اللَّهُ لِيُعَذِّبَهُمْ وَأَنْتَ فِيهِمْ وَمَا كَانَ اللَّهُ مُعَذِّبَهُمْ وَهُمْ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ (33) وَمَا لَهُمْ أَلَّا يُعَذِّبَهُمُ اللَّهُ وَهُمْ يَصُدُّونَ عَنِ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ وَمَا كَانُوا أَوْلِيَاءَهُ إِنْ أَوْلِيَاؤُهُ إِلَّا الْمُتَّقُونَ وَلَكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ (34)} [الأنفال: 33، 34].
188 - عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ - رضي الله عنه -: قَال أَبُو جَهْلٍ: اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كَانَ هَذَا هُوَ الْحَقَّ مِنْ عِنْدِكَ فَأَمْطِرْ عَلَيْنَا حِجَارَةً مِنْ السَّمَاءِ أَوْ ائْتِنَا بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ، فَنَزَلَتْ: {وَمَا كَانَ اللَّهُ لِيُعَذِّبَهُمْ وَأَنْتَ فِيهِمْ وَمَا كَانَ اللَّهُ مُعَذِّبَهُمْ وَهُمْ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ (33) وَمَا لَهُمْ أَلَّا يُعَذِّبَهُمُ اللَّهُ وَهُمْ يَصُدُّونَ عَنِ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ} الْآيَةَ ¬أخرجه البخاري برقم: 4648، ومسلم برقم: 2796، والبيهقي في الدلائل: 3/ 75، والواحدي في أسباب النزول: ص 236.¥.