Commentary on the Koran: Surah 8 (No. Q008)

Pickthall’s translation and RSV used unless otherwise noted.

Introduction

Surah 8 takes its name from the opening phrase declaring that all items in the world belong to Allah’ and that as such they must be treated as God’s property and hence must be tithed as all other property under the Biblical Tithe Laws as Abraham tithed to Melchisedek priest of the Most High God at Jerusalem (see the paper Tithing (No. 161). As a result of this activity all the Arab people are subject to tithe to the Messiah as the High Priest of Melchisedek being in the loins of Abraham including Levi and the entire Israelite priesthood as well as those of Islam. These include also all the sons of Shem who was priest of God as Melchisedek. So also the Gentiles of the conversion are required to tithe. From the return of Messiah the entire world will be subject to the priesthood (see Melchisedek (No. 128) and Commentary on Hebrews (F058)).

The division of the spoils among the participants occurred one month after the Battle of Badr in the Second Year of the Hijrah and eleven months before the Battle of Mt. Uhud (cf. Surah 3) where the enemy of the pagan Qureysh came against the Muslims with a force of 3000, and in the Fifth Year of the Hijrah the pagan allied clans came against them with a force of some 10,000 to besiege Al-Madinah in the War of the Trench (in Surah 33: “The Clans”).

The concluding verses of Surah 8 are of a later date and lead up to the subject of Surah 9. Some authorities hold that verses 30-40, or some of them, were revealed at Becca just before the Hijrah. The distinction is made because of the division of the people who are of the enemies that are able to be spared by their repentance in sparing the elect of the faith.

The battle referred to here is at the water of Badr at Tabuk in the year prior to the battle at Mt. Uhud referred to in Surah 3. A Beccan caravan under Abu Sufyan of the Qureysh was returning from Syria and fearing an attack from Al-Madinah sent a camel rider on to Becca requesting urgent assistance. The request must have arrived too late as the Prophet at the head of

the Muslims arrived and the Prophet announced the destination beforehand contrary to custom.

Ibn Ishaq (apud Ibn Hisham) (cf. Pickthall) considers that the Muslims intended this conflict, as the Prophet announced the destination prior to the journey, which was contrary to his custom. They had travelled three days across the valley and the army of the Quereysh from Becca were sent (to the area Al Madinah) to punish the Muslims for having presumed to attack the caravan. The Muslim band of 313 ill-equipped and poorly armed men engaged the army as they headed to the water at Badr against the Al-Madinah force.

It rained heavily and the Beccans had difficulty proceeding in the mud but the Muslims had less rain and better going so they advanced on the water at Badr and secured it. At the same time Abu Sufyan and the caravan was also heading to the water at Badr but were warned in time by his scouts of the Muslim advance and turned back to the coastal plain.

In spite of what must have appeared overwhelming odds the Prophet gave the men of the Ansar of Al Medinah leave to go, as their oath of allegiance had not included a vow to engage in fighting in the field. The Ansar were merely hurt by the suggestion that they would leave the Prophet in such circumstances. On the other hand several of the Qureysh including the whole Zuhri clan returned to Becca when they heard the caravan was safe, as they believed the Prophet and the Muslims had been wronged at Becca.

Even so the army of the force of the Qureysh outnumbered the Muslims by more than two to one and was much better armed and equipped and they expected an easy victory. The record alleges (cf. Pickthall) that the Prophet, when he saw them streaming down the sandhills said: “Oh Allah, Here are Qureysh with all their chivalry and pomp who oppose thee and deny thy messenger. Oh Allah! Thy help which thou hast promised me. Oh Allah Make them bow this day!”

The Muslims were successful in the single combats with which Arab battles opened but they were hard pressed in the general melee which followed. The Prophet is recorded as having stood and prayed under a cloth. “Oh Allah if this little company is destroyed there will be none left in the land to worship thee!” He then fell into a trance and when he spoke again he said to Abu Bakr, who was with him, that the promised help had come. Thereupon he went out to encourage the troops. He picked up a handful of gravel and ran at the Qureysh forces (seemingly almost in imitation of David) and shouted: The faces are confounded! At this the tide of battle turned in the favour of the Muslims. The leader of the Qureysh and several of their greatest men were killed, with many taken prisoner and their baggage and camels were captured by the Muslims. It was a day to go down in the history of the Muslims and there it is recorded (apud Pickthall et al) that there was much rejoicing in Al-Madinah.

However we see from this surah that the Muslims are warned that there will be much greater conflicts ahead. So we saw in Surah 3 at Mt. Uhud the following year with 3000 enemy and at the Battle of the Trench in Surah 33 with 10,000 at the “Battle of the Clans”. It is without doubt that the warnings were taken from the Spirit drawing the prophecy of Revelation chapter 2 regarding the Pergamos era, which era this was, to the attention of the Council of the Muhammad of the church of Arabia under the Prophet. Christ ultimately removed their lampstand from them and brought the sword of war against them, and destroyed them repeatedly due to their sins and paganism. Messiah will do so now in the Last Days to purge and convert these paganised pseudo-Muslims (see also the papers General Distribution of the Sabbath-Keeping Churches (No. 122); Role of the Fourth Commandment in the Historical Sabbath-keeping Churches of God (No. 170) and The Pillars of Philadelphia (No. 283)).

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8.1 . They ask thee (O Muhammad) of the spoils of war. Say: The spoils of war belong to Allah and the messenger, so keep your duty to Allah, and adjust the matter of your difference, and obey Allah and His messenger, if ye are (true) believers.

The council of the Muhammad is entitled to the tithe of the spoils as we saw in the OT where Abraham tithed to Mechisedek when the sons of Abraham were in his loins (Gen. 14:18 and Ps. 110:4; see Commentary on Hebrews (F058)).

Psalm 24:1 A Psalm of David. The earth is the LORD's and the fulness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein;

Job 41:11 Who has given to me, that I should repay him? Whatever is under the whole heaven is mine.

Deuteronomy 20:12-15 "However, if it does not make peace with you, but makes war against you, then you shall besiege it. ¹³"When the LORD your God gives it into your hand, you shall strike all the men in it with the edge of the sword. ¹⁴"Only the women and the children and the animals and all that is in the city, all its spoil, you shall take as booty for yourself; and you shall use the spoil of your enemies which the LORD your God has given you. ¹⁵"Thus you shall do to all the cities that are very far from you, which are not of the cities of these nations nearby. (NAS)

Hebrews 7:1-2 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, ²to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth part of all the spoils, was first of all, by the translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace. (NAS)

Joshua 22:8 and said to them, "Return to your tents with great riches and with very much livestock, with silver, gold, bronze, iron, and with very many clothes; divide the spoil of your enemies with your brothers." (NAS)

1Samuel 30:22-26 Then all the wicked and worthless men among those who went with David said, "Because they did not go with us, we will not give them any of the spoil that we have recovered, except to every man his wife and his children, that they may lead them away and depart." ²³Then David said, "You must not do so, my brothers, with what the LORD has given us, who has kept us and delivered into our hand the band that came against us. ²⁴"And who will listen to you in this matter? For as his share is who goes down to the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage; they shall share alike." ²⁵So it has been from that day forward, that he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel to this day. ²⁶Now when David came to Ziklag, he sent some of the spoil to the elders of Judah, to his friends, saying, "Behold, a gift for you from the spoil of the enemies of the LORD: (NAS)

8.2. They only are the (true) believers whose hearts feel fear when Allah is mentioned, and when His revelations are recited unto them they increase their faith, and who trust in their Lord;

Deuteronomy 10:12-13 Now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require from you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul ¹³and to keep the LORD'S commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good? (NAS)

Job 28:28 "And to man He said, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; And to depart from evil is understanding.'"(NAS)

Romans 10:17 Then faith is of hearing, and hearing through the Word of God. (LITV)

Hebrews 4:2 For good news came to us just as to them; but the message which they heard did not benefit them, because it did not meet with faith in the hearers.

Psalm 118:8-9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD Than to trust in man. ⁹It is better to take refuge in the LORD Than to trust in princes. (NAS)

8.3. Who establish worship and spend of that We have bestowed on them.

8.4. Those are they who are in truth believers. For them are grades (of honour) with their Lord, and pardon, and a bountiful provision.

Romans 12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Acts 20:35 In all things I have shown you that by so toiling one must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Psalm 34:9 O fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no want!

Ephesians 6:18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, (ESV)

Proverbs 28:27 Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse. (ESV)

1John 3:17 But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? (ESV)

Malachi 3:10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. (ESV)

Luke 6:38 give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” (ESV)

Micah 7:18 Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love. (ESV)

8.5. Even as thy Lord caused thee (Muhammad)

to go forth from thy home with the Truth, and lo!

a party of the believers were averse (to it).

8.6. Disputing with thee of the Truth after it had

been made manifest, as if they were being driven

to death visible.

Galatians 1:6-7 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and turning to a different gospel-- ⁷not that there is another gospel, but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.

Acts 20:30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.

This the Hadith did with Islam.

8.7. And when Allah promised you one of the two bands (of the enemy) that it should be yours, and ye longed that other than the armed one might be yours. And Allah willed that He should cause the Truth to triumph by His words, and cut the root of the disbelievers;

8.8. That He might cause the Truth to triumph and bring vanity to naught, however much the guilty might oppose;

Luke 8:17 For nothing is hid that shall not be made manifest, nor anything secret that shall not be known and come to light.

Mark 4:22 For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light. (ESV)

Deuteronomy 28:1 And if you faithfully obey the voice of the LORD your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. (ESV)

Psalm 92:9 For lo, thy enemies, O LORD, for lo, thy enemies shall perish; all evildoers shall be scattered.

1Corinthians 1:27 but God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong,

Proverbs 21:30 No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the LORD. (ESV)

Acts 5:38 So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; ³⁹ but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice, (ESV)

8.9. When ye sought help of your Lord and He answered you (saying): I will help you with a thousand of the angels, rank on rank.

8.10. Allah appointed it only as good tidings, and that your hearts thereby might be at rest. Victory cometh only by the help of Allah. Lo! Allah is Mighty, Wise.

God promised to help the Prophet's party during their battle at Badr against their adversaries to strengthen their hearts. Victory ultimately comes from the Almighty.

Exodus 14:13 And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. (ESV)

2Chronicles 20:17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the LORD will be with you (ESV)

Psalm 147:10 His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man;

Psalm 147:5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. (ESV)

Romans 11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! (ESV)

8.11. When He made the slumber fall upon you as a reassurance from him and sent down water from the sky upon you, that thereby He might purify you, and remove from you the fear of Satan, and make strong your hearts and firm (your) feet thereby.

8.12. When thy Lord inspired the angels, (saying): I am with you. So make those who believe stand firm. I will throw fear into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Then smite the necks and smite of them each finger.

8.13. That is because they opposed Allah and His messenger. Whoso opposeth Allah and His messenger, (for him) lo! Allah is severe in punishment.

8.14. That (is the award), so taste it, and (know) that for disbelievers is the torment of the Fire.

1Samuel 2:9 He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness, for not by might shall a man prevail. (ESV)

Ezekiel 36:25-27 "Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. ²⁶"Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. ²⁷"I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances. (NAS)

1John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (ESV)

Isaiah 41:10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (ESV)

Exodus 14:13-14 And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. ¹⁴The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” (ESV)

Exodus 14:28 The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen; of all the host of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea, not one of them remained. (ESV)

Opposition to God and Moses was demolished. They were sent to the Second Resurrection and if they do not repent they will face the second death.

Revelation 20:12-15 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. ¹³And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. ¹⁴Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. ¹⁵And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. (ESV)

8.15. O ye who believe! When ye meet those who disbelieve in battle, turn not your backs to them.

8.16. Whoso on that day turneth his back to them, unless manoeuvring for battle or intent to join a company, he truly hath incurred wrath from Allah, and his habitation will be hell, a hapless journey's end.

Luke 9:62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” (ESV)

Hebrews 10:38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. (KJV)

Hell in the Hebrew is Sheol which is the grave termed hell and paganised by both Trinitarians and pagan pseudo-Muslims. They await the Second Resurrection, being denied the First Resurrection.

8.17. Ye (Muslims) slew them not, but Allah slew them. And thou (Muhammad) threwest not when thou didst throw, but Allah threw, that He might test the believers by a fair test from Him. Lo! Allah is Hearer, Knower.

8.18. That (is the case); and (know) that Allah (it is) Who maketh weak the plan of disbelievers.

1Kings 8:39 then hear in heaven your dwelling place and forgive and act and render to each whose heart you know, according to all his ways (for you, you only, know the hearts of all the children of mankind), (ESV)

1Samuel 2:10 The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; against them he will thunder in heaven. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed.” (ESV)

God gave them the calm presence of mind and reassurance and water from above to provide them with the confidence to defeat the enemy decisively. It is stated that Allah slew them. Allah used them and proved them to test the believers.

8.19. (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).

8.20. O ye who believe! Obey Allah and His messenger, and turn not away from him when ye hear (him speak).

The Qureysh community persecuted the believers. They had been defeated in battle; the judgement had come to them. If they continued the persecution or to attack the believers the forces on their side will not save them as they were not able to prevail against the believers either at Badr or subsequent battles at Mt. Uhuh (Surah 3) or the War of the Trench (Surah 33). The believers are reminded to obey and take heed of what the messenger says. The battles were to continue and increase while the Muslims sinned and failed to obey as we will see in other texts.

1Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

Psalm 60:11-12 O give us help against the adversary, For deliverance by man is in vain. ¹²Through God we shall do valiantly, And it is He who will tread down our adversaries. (NAS)

8.21. Be not as those who say, we hear, and they hear not.

8.22. Lo! the worst of beasts in Allah's sight are the deaf, the dumb, who have no sense.

8.23. Had Allah known of any good in them He would have made them hear, but had He made them hear they would have turned away, averse.

Isaiah 6:9 And he said, "Go, and say to this people: 'Hear and hear, but do not understand; see and see, but do not perceive.'

Matthew 13:14 With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah which says: 'You shall indeed hear but never understand, and you shall indeed see but never perceive.

John 12:40 "He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they should see with their eyes and perceive with their heart, and turn for me to heal them."

8.24. O ye who believe! Obey Allah, and the messenger when He calleth you to that which quickeneth you, and know that Allah cometh in between the man and his own heart, and that He it is unto Whom ye will be gathered.

Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately corrupt; who can understand it?

Ephesians 2:1-2 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins ²in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— (ESV)

Romans 8:11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit which dwells in you.

The messenger had the words of eternal life so the believers had to pay attention to him. To follow the natural desires of their heart will lead them into ruin and to the Second Resurrection.

John 6:68 Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. (NAS)

8.25. And guard yourselves against a chastisement which cannot fall exclusively on those of you who are wrong-doers, and know that Allah is severe in punishment.

Hebrews 12:5-6 And have you forgotten the exhortation which addresses you as sons?--"My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage when you are punished by him. ⁶For the Lord disciplines him whom he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives."

Hebrews 3:12 Take care, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.

1Corinthians 10:11-12 Now these things happened to them as a warning, but they were written down for our instruction, upon whom the end of the ages has come. ¹²Therefore let any one who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.

8.26. And remember, when ye were few and reckoned feeble in the land, and were in fear lest men should extirpate you, how He gave you refuge, and strengthened you with His help, and made provision of good things for you, that haply ye might be thankful.

Psalm 105:11-15 saying, "To you I will give the land of Canaan as your portion for an inheritance." ¹²When they were few in number, of little account, and sojourners in it, ¹³wandering from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another people, ¹⁴he allowed no one to oppress them; he rebuked kings on their account, ¹⁵saying, "Touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm!"

Psalm 78:54-55 So He brought them to His holy land, To this hill country which His right hand had gained. ⁵⁵He also drove out the nations before them And apportioned them for an inheritance by measurement, And made the tribes of Israel dwell in their tents. (NAS)

Joshua 24:13-14 I gave you a land on which you had not labored, and cities which you had not built, and you have lived in them; you are eating of vineyards and olive groves which you did not plant.' ¹⁴"Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. (NAS)

8.27. O ye who believe! Betray not Allah and His messenger, nor knowingly betray your trusts.

8.28. And know that your possessions and your children are a test, and that with Allah is immense reward.

8.29. O ye who believe! If ye keep your duty to Allah, He will give you discrimination (between right and wrong) and will rid you of your evil thoughts and deeds, and will forgive you. Allah is of Infinite Bounty.

2Timothy 4:3-4 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings, ⁴and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander into myths.

Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, (ESV)

1John 2:15-16 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If any one loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. ¹⁶For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world.

Isaiah 3:12 My people--children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, your leaders mislead you, and confuse the course of your paths.

Hebrews 5:14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their faculties trained by practice to distinguish good from evil.

Micah 6:8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (ESV)

Deuteronomy 10:12-13 "Now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require from you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, ¹³and to keep the LORD'S commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good? (NAS)

Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years. (NAS)

The faithful believers will attain eternal life in the

First Resurrection - an immense reward.

8.30. And when those who disbelieve plot against thee (O Muhammad) to wound thee fatally, or to kill thee or to drive thee forth; they plot, but Allah (also) plotteth; and Allah is the best of plotters [or planners and not scheming in the sense of deviousness].

Psalm 21:11 If they plan evil against you, if they devise mischief, they will not succeed.

Psalm 2:1 Why do the nations conspire, and the peoples plot in vain?

Psalm 83:3 They lay crafty plans against thy people; they consult together against thy protected ones.

Proverbs 21:30 There is no wisdom and no understanding And no counsel against the LORD. (NAS)

8.31. And when Our revelations are recited unto them they say: We have heard. If we wish we can speak the like of this. Lo! this is naught but fables of the men of old.

8.32. And when they said: O Allah! If this be indeed the truth from Thee, then rain down stones on us or bring on us some painful doom!

8.33. But Allah would not punish them while thou wast with them, nor will He punish them while they seek forgiveness.

2Timothy 3:16 All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

John 17:17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. (ESV)

Psalm 119:160 The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever. (ESV)

[Nothing is lost of God’s testaments and all is known.]

2Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (ESV)

Isaiah 55:6-7 Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. ⁷Let the wicked forsake his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the LORD, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. (NAS)

8.34. What (plea) have they that Allah should not punish them, when they debar (His servants) from the Inviolable Place of Worship, though they are not its fitting guardians. Its fitting guardians are those only who keep their duty to Allah. But most of them know not.

8.35. And their worship at the (holy) House is naught but whistling and hand-clapping. Therefore (it is said unto them): Taste of the doom because ye disbelieve.

8.36. Lo! those who disbelieve spend their wealth in order that they may debar (men) from the way of Allah. They will spend it, then it will become an anguish for them, then they will be conquered. And those who disbelieve will be gathered unto hell,

8.37. That Allah may separate the wicked from the good, The wicked will He place piece upon piece, and heap them all together, and consign them unto hell [unto Sheol and then the Second Resurrection and perhaps the Second Death]. Such verily are the losers.

8.38. Tell those who disbelieve that if they cease (from persecution of believers) that which is past will be forgiven them; but if they return (thereto) then the example of the men of old hath already gone (before them, for a warning).

8.39. And fight them until persecution is no more, and religion is all for Allah. But if they cease, then lo! Allah is Seer of what they do.

8.40. And if they turn away, then know that Allah is your Befriender - a Transcendent Patron, a Transcendent Helper!

Revelation 21:8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the polluted, as for murderers, fornicators, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their lot shall be in the lake that burns with fire and sulphur, which is the second death.

Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and wickedness of men who by their wickedness suppress the truth.

2Timothy 3:5 holding the form of religion but denying the power of it. Avoid such people.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. (ESV)

Deuteronomy 4:2 You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you. (ESV)

This is why Hadithic Islam must be brought to repentance or its unrepentant adherents destroyed.

Micah 6:8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (ESV)

Matthew 25:32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats,

John 5:28-29 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice ²⁹and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. (ESV)

Romans 12:14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. (ASV)

8.41. And know that whatever ye take as spoils of war, lo! a fifth thereof is for Allah, and for the messenger and for the kinsman (who hath need) and orphans and the needy and the wayfarer, if ye believe in Allah and that which We revealed unto Our slave on the Day of Discrimination, the day when the two armies met. And Allah is Able to do all things.

Twenty percent is for the Council of the Church as messenger to distribute to those who are in need. Allah revealed this to his slave the Prophet on their day of trial when the opposing armies met on the day of battle.

Hebrews 7:4 See how great this man was to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils! ((ESV)

Romans 11:36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. (ESV)

Jeremiah 32:17 Ah Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You, (NAS)

The result of the decree was that the standard 10% for the church as paid by Abraham to Melchisedek in the OT text was increased by the amount of the 10% of the second tithe so that both elements of the tithe were coupled together and paid to the church so that the funds for the widows and orphans could be paid as compensation and supervised by the church. In other words the Third year tithe of the Double Tithe for the welfare year was implemented also for the spoils of war as the welfare tithe was for the Third year of the Seven year Sabbath cycle. So also the rules were laid down on spoils of war and the requirements on conduct which show how badly the modern Hadithic Muslims are perverting the Koran and Scripture (cf. Tithing (No. 161)).

8.42. When ye were on the near bank (of the valley) and they were on the yonder bank, and the caravan was below you (on the coast plain). And had ye trysted to meet one another ye surely would have failed to keep the tryst, but (it happened, as it did, without the forethought of either of you) that Allah might conclude a thing that must be done; that he who perished (on that day) might perish by a clear proof (of His Sovereignty) and he who survived might survive by a clear proof (of His Sovereignty). Lo! Allah in truth is Hearer, Knower.

The opposing armies were made to meet at the appointed place after having secured the water at Badr and with time to accomplish that matter that Allah had predetermined. Those who died or those who survived did so with the foreknowledge of Allah who knows and is aware of all things. It was to the believers a clear proof of Allah's sovereignty.

1Chronicles 29:11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. (ESV)

8.43. When Allah showed them unto thee (O Muhammad) in thy dream as few in number, and if He had shown them to thee as many, ye (Muslims) would have faltered and would have quarrelled over the affair. But Allah saved (you). Lo! He knoweth what is in the breasts (of men).

The enemy force was shown to the Prophet as few in number to encourage the believers as Allah was aware of what was in their hearts. Gideon was encouraged and guided to victory over the Host of Midian in a similar manner.

Judges 7:15 As soon as Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, he worshiped. And he returned to the camp of Israel and said, “Arise, for the Lord has given the host of Midian into your hand. (ESV)

8.44. And when He made you (Muslims), when ye met (them), see them with your eyes as few, and lessened you in their eyes, (it was) that Allah might conclude a thing that must be done. Unto Allah all things are brought back.

The enemy numbers were made to seem as few to the Prophet's followers, and the Muslims to the opposing force as few, so Allah could accomplish the predetermined matter.

8.45. O ye who believe! When ye meet an army, hold firm and think of Allah much, that ye may be successful.

8.46. And obey Allah and His messenger, and dispute not one with another lest ye falter and your strength depart from you; but be steadfast! Lo! Allah is with the steadfast.

Proverbs 24:10 If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.

Hebrews 12:3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

Job 4:5 But trouble comes to you, and you're impatient. It touches you, and you panic. (GW)

God guides His messengers and we have a duty to obey our leaders as they follow God.

Philippians 3:17 Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. (NAS)

1Thessalonians 1:6 You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit, (NAS)

Hebrews 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you. (NAS)

2Peter 1:5-7 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, ⁶and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, ⁷ and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. (ESV)

8.47. Be not as those who came forth from their dwellings boastfully and to be seen of men, and debar (men) from the way of Allah, while Allah is surrounding all they do.

Psalm 75:3-5 When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants, it is I who keep steady its pillars. [Selah] ⁴I say to the boastful, "Do not boast," and to the wicked, "Do not lift up your horn; ⁵do not lift up your horn on high, or speak with insolent neck."

Psalm 119:51 Godless men utterly deride me, but I do not turn away from thy law.

Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and wickedness of men who by their wickedness suppress the truth.

Psalm 139:5 You have enclosed me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. (NAS)

8.48. And when Satan made their deeds seem fair to them and said: No-one of mankind can conquer you this day, for I am your protector. But when the armies came in sight of one another, he took flight, saying: Lo! I am guiltless of you. Lo! I see that which ye see not. Lo! I fear Allah. And Allah is severe in punishment.

2Corinthians 4:4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the likeness of God.

Satan makes their ways seem right in their eyes. When Satan saw the angels fighting on the side of the Prophet's followers he fled leaving his devotees to fend for themselves. He saw what his earthlings could not see. Satan knew the outcome of that battle.

Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. (ESV)

8.49. When the hypocrites and those in whose hearts is a disease said: Their religion hath deluded these. Whoso putteth his trust in Allah (will find that) lo! Allah is Mighty, Wise.

Matthew 23:13 But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because you shut the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither enter yourselves, nor allow those who would enter to go in.

2Timothy 3:2-5 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, ⁴treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, ⁵having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. (ESV)

Psalm 9:10 And those who know thy name put their trust in thee, for thou, O LORD, hast not forsaken those who seek thee.

Job 9:4 "Wise in heart and mighty in strength, Who has defied Him without harm? (NAS)

8.50. If thou couldst see how the angels receive those who disbelieve, smiting faces and their backs and (saying): Taste the punishment of burning!

8.51. This is for that which your own hands have sent before (to the Judgment), and (know) that Allah is not a tyrant to His slaves.

8.52. (Their way is) as the way of Pharaoh's folk and those before them; they disbelieved the revelations of Allah, and Allah took them in their sins. Lo! Allah is Strong, severe in punishment.
8.53. That is because Allah never changeth the grace He hath bestowed on any people until they first change that which is in their hearts, and (that is) because Allah is Hearer, Knower.

8.54. (Their way is) as the way of Pharaoh's folk and those before them; they denied the revelations of their Lord, so We destroyed them in their sins. And We drowned the folk of Pharaoh. All were evil-doers.

8.55. Lo! the worst of beasts in Allah's sight are the ungrateful who will not believe.

Numbers 14:11 And the LORD said to Moses, "How long will this people despise me? And how long will they not believe in me, in spite of all the signs which I have wrought among them?

(cf. also Revelation 20:11-13 above)

1Timothy 5:24 The sins of some men are conspicuous, pointing to judgment, but the sins of others appear later.

Genesis 7:23 He blotted out every living thing that was on the face of the ground, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens. They were blotted out from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those who were with him in the ark. (ESV)

Jude 1:7 just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire. (ESV)

Exodus 15:4 Pharaoh’s chariots and his host he cast into the sea, and his chosen officers were sunk in the Red Sea. (ESV)

Pharaoh's folk and those before them chose not to believe despite all the miracles that they did see so God took them in their sins. They chose not repentance so the fate was decided.

Ezekiel 18:20-21 The soul that sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son; the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself. ²¹ "But if a wicked man turns away from all his sins which he has committed and keeps all my statutes and does what is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die.

Ephesians 4:18 they are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart;

Psalm 49:20 Man in his pomp yet without understanding is like the beasts that perish. (ESV)

8.56. Those of them with whom thou madest a treaty, and then at every opportunity they break their treaty, and they keep not duty (to Allah).

8.57. If thou comest on them in the war, deal with them so as to strike fear in those who are behind them, that haply they may remember.

8.58. And if thou fearest treachery from any folk, then throw back to them (their treaty) fairly. Lo! Allah loveth not the treacherous.

8.59. And let not those who disbelieve suppose that they can outstrip (Allah's Purpose). Lo! they cannot escape.

8.60. Make ready for them all thou canst of (armed) force and of horses tethered, that thereby ye may dismay the enemy of Allah and your enemy, and others beside them whom ye know not. Allah knoweth them. Whatsoever ye spend in the way of Allah it will be repaid to you in full, and ye will not be wronged.

Deuteronomy 20:10-14 “When you draw near to a city to fight against it, offer terms of peace to it. ¹¹And if it responds to you peaceably and it opens to you, then all the people who are found in it shall do forced labor for you and shall serve you. ¹²But if it makes no peace with you, but makes war against you, then you shall besiege it. ¹³And when the Lord your God gives it into your hand, you shall put all its males to the sword, ¹⁴but the women and the little ones, the livestock, and everything else in the city, all its spoil, you shall take as plunder for yourselves. And you shall enjoy the spoil of your enemies, which the Lord your God has given you. (ESV)

Romans 12:18 If possible, so far as it depends upon you, live peaceably with all.

Hebrews 12:14 Strive for peace with all men, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

If unbelievers do not want to live at peace with you and want to make war then they need to be taught a decisive lesson that they will remember so they will not repeat their foolishness again. If they do not want to abide by the terms of the treaty they deserve punishment.

Romans 8:28 We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.

Isaiah 55:11 so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

The disbelievers cannot frustrate God's purpose. The elect have to physically and spiritually be prepared to defeat the enemy.

8.61. And if they incline to peace, incline thou also to it, and trust in Allah. Lo! He, even He, is the Hearer, the Knower.

Hebrews 12:14 Strive for peace with all men, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

Psalm 146:3 Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. (ESV)

Psalm 118:8-9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD Than to trust in man. ⁹It is better to take refuge in the LORD Than to trust in princes. (NAS)

Proverbs 5:21 For the ways of a man are before the eyes of the LORD, And He watches all his paths (NAS)

Hebrews 4:13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable. (NLT)

8.62. And if they would deceive thee, then lo! Allah is Sufficient for thee. He it is Who supporteth thee with His help and with the believers,

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things in him who strengthens me.

Ephesians 6:12 For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

2Corinthians 3:5 Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, (ESV)

8.63. And (as for the believers) hath attuned their hearts. If thou hadst spent all that is in the earth thou couldst not have attuned their hearts, but Allah hath attuned them. Lo! He is Mighty, Wise.

John 6:44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.

Romans 8:7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law, indeed it cannot;

1John 4:21 And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also. (NAS)

1Thessalonians 4:9 Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; (NAS)

Job 9:4 "Wise in heart and mighty in strength, Who has defied Him without harm? (NAS)

8.64. O Prophet! Allah is Sufficient for thee and those who follow thee of the believers.

2Corinthians 12:9 but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2Corinthians 3:5 Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, (ESV)

8.65. O Prophet! Exhort the believers to fight. If there be of you twenty steadfast they shall overcome two hundred, and if there be of you a hundred (steadfast) they shall overcome a thousand of those who disbelieve, because they (the disbelievers) are a folk without intelligence.

8.66 Now hath Allah lightened your burden, for He knoweth that there is weakness in you. So if there be of you a steadfast hundred they shall overcome two hundred, and if there be of you a thousand (steadfast) they shall overcome two thousand by permission of Allah. Allah is with the steadfast.

Leviticus 26:8 Five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall chase ten thousand; and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword.

Joshua 23:10 One of your men puts to flight a thousand, for the LORD your God is He who fights for you, just as He promised you. (NAS)

Matthew 11:29-30 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light. (NLT)

Ephesians 4:18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. (ESV)

2Peter 1:5-7 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, ⁶ and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, ⁷ and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. (ESV)

Ayat 8.66 covers the same matter as ayat 8.65 So also Gideon was given the power of 300 to overcome the Host. So also the sons of Keturah in Sparta overcame the Persians at Thermopolae with their 300. The 300 at Badr of the Muslims overcame the Qureysh.

8.67. It is not for any prophet to have captives until he hath made slaughter in the land. Ye desire the lure of this world and Allah desireth (for you) the Hereafter, and Allah is Mighty, Wise.

2Corinthians 4:18 because we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

1John 2:17 And the world passes away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides for ever.

1Timothy 2:4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (NAS)

Job 9:4 "Wise in heart and mighty in strength, Who has defied Him without harm? (NAS)

8.68. Had it not been for an ordinance of Allah which had gone before, an awful doom had come upon you on account of what ye took.

The Prophet escaped severe punishment as a result of a previous ordinance of Allah for taking a ransom. God worked in a way to achieve His desired outcome.

Romans 3:20 because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin. (NAS)

Maulana Mohammed Ali in his footnotes to 8.68 says “ 68a That ordinance from Allåh is referred to in several places in this chapter; it was to bring about an encounter with the main army of the Quraish at Badr: “And when Allåh promised you one of the two parties that it should be yours ... and Allåh desired to establish the Truth” (v. 7); and again: “In order that Allåh might bring about a matter which had to be done” (v. 42). 68 b . You say akhadh a fß kadhå meaning he took to a thing, or set about or commenced doing it (LL).”

8.69. Now enjoy what ye have won, as lawful and good, and keep your duty to Allah. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

[He was allowed to keep and enjoy what was won in battle.]

(cf. Deuteronomy 20: 13ff. above).

Proverbs 21:3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. (ESV)

Mark 12:33 And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. (ESV)

Psalm 145:8 The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. (ESV)

The OT laws on women as captives provide for the proper care of each woman and they are to be taken in marriage or left as servants and not abused (see Law and the Seventh Commandment (No. 260)).

8.70. O Prophet! Say unto those captives who are in your hands: If Allah knoweth any good in your hearts He will give you better than that which hath been taken from you, and will forgive you. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

8.71. And if they would betray thee, they betrayed Allah before, and He gave (thee) power over them. Allah is Knower, Wise.

If the captives have good intentions in their hearts they will be rewarded with something better than that which they lost and will receive forgiveness as well. The Prophet is reminded that the captives may betray him as they have in the past for which the Prophet was given power over them.

With reference to 8.69 we note that Abraham was to keep the spoils of war but he tithed on it to Melchisedek and so also Levi who was in his loins as did Ishmael and the sons of Keturah which included all Arabs and Laconians and those that extended into Bactria and Afghanistan and now the Gentiles of the conversion.

Philippians 3:8-11 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, ⁹and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, ¹⁰that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; ¹¹in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. (NAS)

Job 9:4 "Wise in heart and mighty in strength, Who has defied Him without harm? (NAS)

8.72. Lo! those who believed and left their homes and strove with their wealth and their lives for the cause of Allah, and those who took them in and helped them: these are protecting friends one of another. And those who believed but did not leave their homes, ye have no duty to protect them till they leave their homes; but if they seek help from you in the matter of religion then it is your duty to help (them) except against a folk between whom and you there is a treaty. Allah is Seer of what ye do.

Luke 18:29-30 And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, ³⁰who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.” (ESV)

Galatians 6:10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. (ESV)

1Timothy 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. (ESV)

We have a duty to teach matters of the faith to interested parties who have a genuine desire to learn but we do not throw our pearls before swine.

Matthew 7:6 Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you. (ESV)

8.73. And those who disbelieve are protectors one of another - If ye do not so, there will be confusion in the land, and great corruption.

Matthew 5:47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? (ESV)

Galatians 6:10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. (ESV)

2Corinthians 6:14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? (ESV)

8.74. Those who believed and left their homes and strove for the cause of Allah, and those who took them in and helped them - these are the believers in truth. For them is pardon, and bountiful provision.

Mark 10:29-30 Jesus said, "Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, ³⁰who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.

Matthew 6:20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. (ESV)

Luke 18:22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” (ESV)

1John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (ESV)

8.75. And those who afterwards believed and left their homes and strove along with you, they are of you; and those who are akin are nearer one to another in the ordinance of Allah. Lo! Allah is Knower of all things.

Matthew 19:29 And every one who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.

1Corinthians 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, (ESV)

Hebrews 4:13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable. (NLT)

The Faith is a series of battles in a constant war with the forces of darkness under the god of this world, Satan (2Cor. 4:4) and we are required to battle against them and to support those of the Faith over the struggles we are to face. Satan’s time is limited and is about to end. The lessons of this Surah lead in now to Surah 9 and lay rules for the preservation of the widows and orphans of our men.

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