CHAPTER 8, AN-ANFAL (THE SPOILS OF WAR)

 Introduction

The Spoils of War is a seventy-five verse chapter revealed in Medina after the Battle of Badr.  It is, for the most part, a lengthy commentary on the first battle between the believers and the Meccan disbelievers.  The believers, some of whom were originally very reluctant to fight, won a great victory even though they were vastly outnumbered.  Some then began to question the distribution of the war booty and thus the chapter is named The Spoils of War.  God reminds them that He brought about the victory and details the distributions of the spoils.  The chapter articulates the general Islamic principles of war and peace and uses them as a morality lesson. 

Verses 1 – 27 God establishes a victory

God instructs Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, to inform the believers that the distribution of the war booty is a matter to be decided by God and His Messenger.   The booty is in fact a bounty from God thus they should be mindful of Him and obey Him.  The faith of the true believer increases upon hearing the Quran recited, and they establish the prayer and spend (give charity) from what God has provided.  The true believers will have a high status with God, forgiveness, and a generous provision.

The believers ventured from their homes for a true purpose (fighting in God’s cause).  Many were hesitant, but God promised them victory because He wanted to establish the truth and cut down the disbelievers.  He promised one thousand angels as a message of hope and to help the believers.  On the night before the battle, God gave the believers a secure sleep, cleansing rain to wash away the whisperings of Satan, and made them steadfast.   

God instructed the angels to strike the enemy above their necks and to cut off their fingertips.  They oppose God and His messenger, and the penalty is severe.  And the believers were instructed not to flee, unless as a war strategy, because those that flee earn God’s anger.  The believers had insufficient strength to vanquish the enemy, but God supported them.  When Prophet Muhammad threw a handful of dust into the faces of the enemy, God caused it to fill the eyes and nose of every soldier, and it prevented their advance.  If the disbelievers do not cease hostilities, God will continue to strengthen the believers.

Verses 28 – 40 God separates the bad from the good

There are some who pretend to listen, but they do not.  God instructs the believers to beware of discord and to remember how He supported and sheltered them.  Do not betray God and His messenger, or the trusts you are given.  Children and wealth are a trial, but the reward that is with God is better and longer lasting.  Fear God, and He will grant you the knowledge between right and wrong and make a way out of all difficulties for you.  The disbelievers planned to take you captive or kill you, but God also planned.   The disbelievers heard God’s revelation but mocked and boasted that they too could fabricate such words; they called the Quran tales of the ancients.  They also called on God to rain down stones from the sky, but God would not punish them while the believers were in their midst nor does He punish those who seek forgiveness. 

God has every reason to punish them when they obstruct people from the Sacred Mosque in Mecca; they are not the rightful guardians.  Those that are mindful of God are the rightful guardians.  The disbelievers don’t understand this, and their prayers there are nothing but clapping and whistling.  They use their wealth to stop people from worshipping God, and they will continue on this path; eventually they will be overcome and herded towards Hell.  God will separate the bad from the good and heap the bad on top of one another.  Prophet Muhammad is told to tell the disbelievers that if they desist, they will be forgiven.  But if the return to hostilities God will be on the side of the believers, and they will fight the disbelievers until all worship is directed to God alone. 

One-fifth of the spoils belong to God and His messenger, his close relatives, orphans, the needy, and the travelers.  The remaining four-fifths are divided among the soldiers.

Verses 42 – 58 Lessons from Badr

Remember the day at Badr when the two armies met.  It looked as if you would certainly fail, but God wanted to establish clear proof that He was on the side of the believers.  In a dream Prophet Muhammad saw the disbelievers as few, because if God had shown him the disbelievers as many, he would have lost courage and rethought his decision to fight.  God also made the believers appear as few in the eyes of the disbelievers so that He may establish a matter He had already ordained.

God instructs the believers to be firm in battle, to be mindful of God, and not to quarrel.  Do not be full of conceit or bar others from the way of God.  Satan gave the disbelievers false confidence, but when the battle began, he fled.  He fears God.

Those that are arrogant say the believers are deluded, but if only you could see what happens when the angels take the souls of the disbelievers; they strike their faces, and they are destined for the fire.  The ones who break their treaties and pledges do not fear God thus if Prophet Muhammad gains dominance over them God instructs him to kill them and make an example of them, to discourage others.  Dissolve the treaties with those who show signs of treachery. 

Verses 59 – 75 Disbelievers and believers are not the same

Let the disbelievers escape if they can because they will not escape God, and prepare for war.  Whatever is spent in the way of God will be repaid.  If they incline towards peace make peace.  Trust God because if they intend to deceive you, He will know. 

The believers are urged into battle.  Twenty believers can overcome two hundred disbelievers, and if there are one hundred believers, they will overcome one thousand, and God lightens the hardship even more.  There can be no prisoners until the believers have thoroughly subdued the land.

Those who emigrated for the sake of God and those who gave them shelter (in Medina) are allies.  Those who believed but did not emigrate must emigrate if they want support.  The disbelievers support one another, and if the believers do not become staunch allies there will be oppression and corruption in the land.  The believers are brothers, but those believers with blood relationships are more entitled to inheritance. - islamreligion.com

CHAPTER 77, AL-MURSALAT (THE WINDS SENT FORTH)

 

Introduction

This chapter sits in the middle of five chapters, all thought to have been revealed in Mecca, in the earliest days of revelation.  It is a fifty-verse chapter that takes its name from the first words of the first verse, ‘By the winds sent forth.’ It strings together a series of images from this life and from the Hereafter and punctuates them with a sharp admonition, ‘Woe on that Day to those who deny the truth.’ This rebuke is repeated ten times.  The Winds Sent Forth describes events that will precede the Judgment. 

Verses 1 – 15 An Oath

The chapter begins with God taking an oath by forces that have an effect on earth and on our daily lives.  By the winds sent forth, one after the other; by the storms and hurricanes and the winds that lift and scatter the clouds to far-off distant places.  They deliver a warning and a reminder; what you are promised will definitely happen.  This refers to the Resurrection and the Judgment.  The All-Wise and All-Mighty who made this system and controls it is fully capable of destroying it and resurrecting us from the dead. 

We are then jolted by a description of that momentous Day.  The stars will be dimmed, the sky will be torn apart, and the mountains turned to dust.  These descriptions suggest that the universe we think we understand will break down and there will be countless small collapses.  And on that Day the Messengers will give testimony for their communities.

God asks us if we know when this is all going to happen and answers His own question by saying that it will happen on the Day of Decision (Judgment).  He also asks what would make us realize just what the Day of Decision is?  And on that Day, woe to the disbelievers who deny the truth.

Verses 16 – 19 The past repeated

God asks us to think, by saying, ‘Did We not destroy the former generations for their evil deeds?’ The same thing will happen to the last of the generations; they will follow the first and be destroyed because of their evil behavior.  This is how God deals with the guilty.  And on that Day, woe to the disbelievers who deny the truth.

Verses 20 – 28 A home for the living and the dead

God asks us to ponder the fact that He created us from an underrated fluid and let us rest in a secure place while we developed (in the womb) for a period of time that He alone determined.  God has the power to shape and develop us into a perfect and complete person from an insignificant sperm-drop; how shall He be helpless to re-create us on that Day?  God made the earth a home for both the living and the dead.  He placed firm mountains upon it and provided fresh, sweet, water to drink.  Woe to whoever reflects upon these created things which demonstrate the greatness of their Creator, then after that continues to reject Him.

Verses 29 – 40 The dreaded command

The chapter now thrusts images of the Day of Judgment upon us.  Those who denied the truth will be told to walk towards the Hell they denied.  God does not actually mention the word Hell because it will be plain to see; three tall pillars of smoke rising out of the pit of Hell.  God tells them to walk towards their shadow but warns that it provides no shade of coolness or protection from the flames.  It is suffocating and it is burning.  It shoots out sparks as big as huge castles.  This is the punishment for the deniers of truth.  They will be totally speechless; their guilt and crime will be proved to the fullest, and they will not be able to offer any excuse after it.  There will be a deafening and ominous silence.

They will then be told that this is the Day of Decision (Judgment).  They are gathered with all the previous generations, and God will wryly suggest that if they have any plots to use against Him, this would be the time to use them.  And on that Day, woe to the disbelievers who deny the truth.

Verses 41 – 45 The righteous are honored

However, those who took heed of God’s words and were righteous, striving to please Him, will have no such experience.  For them will be cool shade, flowing springs, and any fruit they desire.  This shade will provide coolness and relief from the burning sun unlike what the disbelievers are experiencing as they make their way towards the columns of smoke.  The righteous however will know nothing of this and will be encouraged to eat and drink to their heart’s content.  This is their reward, and this is how God rewards those who strive to behave in a way that is pleasing to Him. 

Verses 46 – 50 An opportunity for guidance

In the only image of this present life, given to us in this chapter, God addresses the disbelievers telling them that they can eat, and enjoy themselves, for a short while.  But a Day where there will be retribution.  And if the disbelievers do not believe in this Quran which has clear proofs then what else after this can convince them!? - islamreligion.com

How Can I Control My Habit of Exaggerating?

 

It can be hard to admit one’s faults and flaws and I believe it was brave of you to try to address your problem of exaggerating and look for a solution.

You are Not Alone

I think you will find that this is actually not an uncommon mannerism at all. I am not telling you this to let you know that it’s fine and you don’t need to work on yourself. But I do want you to know that you are not alone.

Many people struggle with things like this. So many people struggle with our self-esteem and it is almost reflexive to try to build ourselves up in front of others.

Some people do this by putting others down. Others, such as yourself, may speak in an exaggerated way to achieve the same goal.

In my opinion, the former is worse. Putting others down and making them feel bad is a sin against other people as well as Allah.

When you exaggerate, you are mostly hurting only yourself, though your relationships may be affected. My point being, again, not to give you excuses. But I do hope you can take into account the consideration that your behavior is harmful mostly to yourself.

Will Allah Forgive Me?

This phrase I say so often that my phone’s predictive text suggests the words to me: Allah is Rahman and Raheem. He is the Most Forgiving.

If you seek sincere repentance then insha’Allah, Allah WILL forgive you. I also suggest you make du’a for Allah to guide you to stop this habit and that He will make a path to doing this apparent to you.

Allah knows your heart. He knows whether you intend to harm people with this bad habit.

How Can I Control My Habit of Exaggerating?

You have taken the first step: you have recognized this habit and recognized that it is harmful. If your husband is a supportive partner, I suggest you ask for his continued help. Ask him to kindly point out to you when you start exaggerating in this way that you do.

Only ask him if he can help in a gentle and loving way. Tearing someone down is a bad way to help. If you can’t rely on your husband, ask someone else in your life who you can count on to help. It is good that you recognize the behavior is harmful, but it can still be hard to catch oneself in the act.

Once you start seeing more clearly when you are exaggerating to build yourself up, and you are able to stop this, try to develop a different habit.

I don’t know you personally, so I don’t know what would work for you. For me, it would help for me to take a deep breath, pause the conversation, and give some thought to what I want to say. Find a strategy that works for you.

However, you believe this bad habit comes from you having low self-esteem. Yes, you can develop new habits and strategies, but your problem won’t really be fixed without addressing the real cause of the issue. You may end up swapping out one bad habit for another.

It is best to seek counseling with a licensed therapist (not a sheikh or imam) who can help you tackle why you have low self-esteem. This person will be able to help you develop strategies not only to improve upon destructive habits, but also strategies to improve your view of yourself.

You are a creation of Allah – you deserve to view yourself in the light that He surely sees you.

And Allah knows best.

- aboutislam.net

About Leah Mallery

Leah is a Muslim convert of almost a decade. She has two kids, an intercultural marriage, and half of a French degree in her back pocket, looking to switch gears to science and medicine. She has lived abroad for over a decade, having just recently become reacquainted with her roots in America. She currently lives in Michigan near her family and – masha’Allah – a sizeable Muslim community.

Is the Reward for Umrah in Rajab Greater Than Other Times?

 

Virtues of the Sacred Months

1- Allah Almighty has chosen four months to be sacred, as stated in the verse that reads: {Lo! The number of the months with Allah is twelve months by Allah’s ordinance in the day that He created the heavens and the earth. Four of them are sacred: that is the right religion. So wrong not yourselves in them.} (At-Tawbah 9:36)

What are the Sacred Months?

This verse has not defined the Sacred Months but they have been specified in the Sunnah.

This is stated in the hadith narrated on the authority of Abu Bakrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said in the Farewell Hajj (Hajjat Al-Wada) while delivering his sermon, “Time has taken its original shape which it had when Allah created the Heavens and the Earth. The year is of twelve months, four of which are sacred, and out of these (four) three are in succession: They are Dhul-Qidah, Dhul-Hijjah and Muharram, and the fourth is Rajab which is named after the Mudar tribe, between (the month of) Jumada (II) and Shaban.”(Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Fasting and Observing Umrah in Rajab

2- There is no authentic legal proof from Prophet Muhammad or from his Companions indicating a special merit in observing fast in Rajab particularly. But it is an act of the Sunnah to observe fast in Rajab just like in other Hijri months, such as fasting on Mondays and Thursdays; on the thirteenth, the fourteenth and the fifteenth days of every Hijri month; and on alternate days.

Moreover, there is no authentic legal proof from Prophet Muhammad or from his Companions showing that there is a particular reward for performing Umrah in Rajab.

Did the Prophet perform Umrah in Rajab?

3- It is not authentically narrated that Prophet Muhammad performed Umrah in Rajab. There is only one narration on the authority of Ibn Umar in which he holds the view that Prophet Muhammad at one time performed Umrah in Rajab. This narration is rejected by scholars as well as by Aishah, Mother of the Believers, (may Allah be pleased with her).

In this concern, Urwah ibn Az-Zubayr reported, “I and Ibn Umar were reclining against (the wall of) the dwelling place of Aishah, and at that time, we heard the sound of cleaning her teeth with siwak. I said, “O Abu Abdur-Rahman (Ibn Umar’s nickname), did Prophet Muhammad perform Umrah in Rajab?” He replied in the affirmative. So I said, “O Mother of the Believers, do you not hear what Abu Abdur-Rahman is saying?” She said, “What is he saying?” I said, “He is saying that Prophet Muhammad (once) performed Umrah in Rajab.” Aishah said, “May Allah be merciful to Abu Abdur-Rahman! By my religion, the Prophet never performed Umrah in Rajab, and he did not perform Umrah except when I was with him.” Ibn Umar heard this and said nothing to deny or affirm it, but remained silent.”

4- Prophet Muhammad did not say any hadith concerning a certain reward for performing Umrah in Rajab, but he said, “Umrah in Ramadan is equal to Hajj (in reward).”

5- No one should specify certain times for performing certain acts of worship as long as this is not specified in the Shariah. This is because there is no excellence in performing an act of worship at a certain time over performing it at another time except when this is defined by the Shariah.

That is, the Shariah may define a specific act of worship to be done at a particular time, or it may state that doing any act of worship at a certain time would have more reward than at any other time.

Is the Reward for Umrah in Rajab Greater Than Other Times?

6- It is allowable to perform Umrah in Rajab the same as it is allowable throughout the whole year but without the intention of performing it only in Rajab, as performing Umrah has a great reward when performed at any time throughout the whole year.

Finally, a Muslim is in need of performing acts of worship in all the Sacred Months, and Rajab is undoubtedly one of them.

Allah Almighty knows best.

- aboutislam.net

THE HAPPIEST OF ALL PEOPLE

 

The happiest people who ever lived on the face of the Earth were the Prophets.  This is in spite of the fact that they suffered more than anyone else.  They had to endure severe persecution in delivering the message that God had entrusted them with.  Beyond that, they were subjected to the same difficulties that all other human beings suffer from, like illness, poverty, hunger, and thirst, and often to a greater than usual degree.

Once, Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, was suffering from a bad fever such that his forehead was drenched in sweat and he was quite visibly suffering.  One of his Companions said to him: "You are suffering from quite a severe illness."

Prophet Muhammad replied: "Yes.  I must endure illness of double the severity of the illnesses that you must endure."[1]

He also suffered from starvation.  Once, during the time of persecution, the Prophet, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, came out from his home and found Abu Bakr and Umar were outside.  He asked them: "What brings you out at this hour?" They told him that it was hunger which brought them out.  The Prophet then said: "By God, the same thing that has brought you out of your homes has brought me out as well."

At times, like during the Battle of the Trench, the Prophet faced hunger so severe that he had to tie two stones to his stomach in an attempt to relieve the pain.

The Prophets all had to endure the persecution of their people on account of the message God sent them with.  However, the Prophets hearts were strong.  Moreover, they

remained open-hearted and magnanimous to the people and they persevered until their defeats were turned to victories.

The beauty of their lives is startling.  In spite of what they had to endure, they knew more happiness and contentment than any other people.  This can be seen in how they behaved and how they responded to what they encountered in life.

We see this extraordinary contentment in the life of Prophet Muhammad most clearly when he faced the greatest of difficulties.  For instance, once he went to spread the message of Islam to the people of Ta’if.  They not only rejected his call, but had the children and ruffians of the town drive him away by pelting him with stones.  He escaped from the city with his shoes soaked with his own blood, and his body covered in blood and dirt.  Once safely away from the city, he raised his voice to God in supplication:

O Allah (God)!  I complain to You of my weakness, my lack of resources, and my weakness before the people.  O Most Merciful of those who are merciful.  O Lord of the weak and my Lord too.  To whom have you entrusted me? To a distant person who receives me with hostility? Or to an enemy to whom you have granted authority over my affair?

So long as You are not angry with me, I do not care.  Your favor is of a more expansive relief to me.  I seek refuge in the light of Your Countenance by which all darkness is dispelled and every affair of this world and the next is set right, lest Your anger or Your displeasure descends upon me.  I desire Your pleasure and satisfaction until You are pleased.  There is no power and no might except with You.

True faith in God is what brings this kind of contentment and happiness to the hearts.  This does not mean that life for the believer will be free of hardships.

When we speak of the passage of time -- when we speak of weeks, months, years , and ages -- we are speaking about life.  The dead do not experience time.  Centuries go by and they are heedless of it all.  God has made this life a trial for the living.  God says: "He who created death and life to test which of you would be best in deeds." (Quran 67:2)

Life is a test for believers and unbelievers alike.  It is a test for sinners as well as for the virtuous.  Everyone is being tested as long as they are alive. 

But God did not leave us in this world on our own.  He sent Prophets and scriptures to us to illuminate our way through life.  This guidance is not only to show us how to attain happiness in the Hereafter, but it is also for this life.  Many people think religion is only about the Hereafter, that its benefit is limited to the next life.  The truth is that just like religion shows us the way to attain God’s pleasure and the reward of Paradise, it is the way by which a believer realizes true contentment and a happy heart in this world as well.  True happiness can only come from faith and knowledge of God.

God says: "Is one whose heart God has opened to Islam, so that it has enlightenment from God (no better than one who is hard-hearted)?  Woe to those whose hearts are hardened against remembering God!" (Quran 39:22)

- islamreligion.com

FOOTNOTES:

[1]Musnad Ahmad

How to Overcome Guilt from Past Immoralities?

While in some countries it is considered “normal behavior,” these actions are not acceptable according to Islamic standards. 

You made a mistake, repented, and asked for forgiveness from Allah.

Try not to bother about past mistakes. The most important thing is to please Allah and not anyone else.

After your sincere repentance, you do not need to carry this guilt on. Let it go; trust and hope in His mercy. 

Do not worry: the ones who are really close to Allah and know that we all commit mistakes will understand and accept you for who you are. 

If you are struggling with repentance and forgiveness, click on the video and check out the full advice.

***

Disclaimer:The conceptualization and recommendations stated in this response are very general and purely based on the limited information that was provided in the question. In no event shall MyISLAM or AboutIslam, it’s volunteers, writers, scholars, counselors, or employees be held liable for any direct, indirect, exemplary, punitive, consequential or other damages whatsoever that may arise through your decision or action in the use of the services which our website provides. 

About Aisha Mohammad

Aisha has a PhD in psychology, an MS in public health and a PsyD. Aisha worked as a Counselor/Psychologist for 12 years at Geneva B. Scruggs Community Health Care Center in New York. She has worked with clients with mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, panic disorder, trauma, and OCD. She also facilitated support groups and provided specialized services for victims of domestic violence, HIV positive individuals, as well youth/teen issues. Aisha is certified in Mindfulness, Trauma Informed Care, Behavioral Management, Restorative Justice/ Healing Circles, Conflict Resolution, Mediation, and Confidentiality & Security. Aisha is also a Certified Life Coach, and Relationship Workshop facilitator. Aisha has a part-time Life Coaching practice in which she integrates the educational concepts of stress reduction, mindfulness, introspection, empowerment, self love and acceptance and spirituality to create a holistic healing journey for clients. Aisha is also a part of several organizations that advocates for prisoner rights/reentry, social & food justice, as well as advocating for an end to oppression & racism. In her spare time, Aisha enjoys her family, photography, nature, martial arts classes, Islamic studies, volunteering/charity work, as well as working on her book and spoken word projects.

-aboutislam.net

Can You Pray Isha after Midnight?

 

Ideally, one should pray Isha before midnight. It is important for us to be diligent in Prayer and not put it off unnecessarily when the time arrives. Although if someone is praying Isha in congregation, it is best to delay it up to one third of the night; but it is not good to postpone it later than midnight.

This is what we can infer from the traditions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).

We are told that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “The (preferred) time of Isha Prayer extends to the middle part of the night.” (Abu Dawud)

There are other traditions in which the Prophet exhorts us to delay Isha: “If it wouldn’t have caused hardship on my Ummah, I would have ordered them to delay Isha.” (An-Nasa`i)

However, nowhere he told us to delay it past midnight.

In light of the traditions mentioned above and other valid inferences, scholars are of the view that ideally one should not delay Isha farther than midnight. However, if a person could not pray before midnight, he could still pray it before dawn-as the permissible time extends up-to that time.

We read in Al-Mughni of Ibn Qudamah (a scholar of the Hanbali School),

“Ideally, one should not delay Isha farther than one third of the night, if he did delay it until midnight it is fine; after midnight, it is the time of darurah (i.e. the time for those in extreme circumstances or valid excuses).”

Imam An-Nawawi (who belongs to the Shafi`i School says,

“The ideal time of Isha extends up-to one third of the night; beyond that is the permissible time; which extends to the arrival of dawn.”

The Hanafi view is almost the same as mentioned above. Thus Imam At-Tahawi (who is affiliated to the Hanafi School) states,

“The time of Isha can be divided into three: the ideal or the most preferred time extends to one third of the night; after which is the less preferable time which extends to midnight, still less preferable is the time past midnight until the arrival of dawn.”

Allah Almighty knows best.

- aboutislam.net