8. [al-Anfal, Medina 88, after Badr 2H]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ حَرِّضِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَى الْقِتَالِ...   

8: 65.  O Prophet!

rouse the believers to the fight.

...إِن يَكُن مِّنكُمْ عِشْرُونَ صَابِرُونَ يَغْلِبُواْ مِئَتَيْنِ...

If there are twenty amongst you, patient and persevering, they will vanquish two hundred:

...وَإِن يَكُن مِّنكُم مِّئَةٌ يَغْلِبُواْ أَلْفًا مِّنَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ...

if a hundred, they will vanquish a thousand of the unbelievers:

...بِأَنَّهُمْ قَوْمٌ لاَّ يَفْقَهُونَ ﴿٦٥﴾

for these are a people without understanding.

C1232. In a fight, odds of ten to one against any one are appalling. But they do not daunt the men of faith. Whether they personally win or die, their Cause prevails. They are sure to win: because;

-        they have divine aid, and

-        even humanly speaking, those who take up arms against truth and righteousness are fools, and their seeming power is but a broken reed.

الآنَ خَفَّفَ اللّهُ عَنكُمْ وَعَلِمَ أَنَّ فِيكُمْ ضَعْفًا...   

8: 66.  For the present, Allah hath lightened your (task), for He knoweth that there is a weak spot in you:

C1233. Given equal conditions, Muslims on account of their faith could win against odds of ten to one. But where their organization and equipment are weak, as was the case about the time of Badr, they were set a lighter task, and asked to tackle no more than odds of two to one against them.

As a matter of fact at Badr they won through against odds of more than three to one.

...فَإِن يَكُن مِّنكُم مِّئَةٌ صَابِرَةٌ يَغْلِبُواْ مِئَتَيْنِ ...

but (even so), if there are a hundred of you, patient and persevering, they will vanquish two hundred,

...وَإِن يَكُن مِّنكُمْ أَلْفٌ يَغْلِبُواْ أَلْفَيْنِ بِإِذْنِ اللّهِ...

and if a thousand, they will vanquish two thousand, with the leave of Allah:

...وَاللّهُ مَعَ الصَّابِرِينَ ﴿٦٦﴾

for Allah is with those who patiently persevere.

Pickthall’s Version:

8: 65

Asad O Prophet! Inspire the believers to conquer all fear of death when fighting [note 69]…………….

Pickthall 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.

Transliteration Ya_ ayyuhan nabiyyu harridil mu'minina 'alal qita_l(i), iy yakum minkum 'isyru_na sa_biru_na yaglibu_ mi'atain(i), wa iy yakum minkum mi'atuy yaglibu_ alfam minal lazina kafaru_ bi annahum qaumul la_ yafqahu_n(a).

[[ Asad’s note 69 – For an explanation of the phrase “harrid al-muminin”, see suraah 4, note 102……….

note 70 – Some of the commentators see this verse a divine prediction, ……the above view is not tenable………an exhortation to the believers to conquer all fear …….that they might be able to overcome an enemy many times their number (Razi: see also Manar X, 87)………………]]

[[ Ali’s note - 1232 In a fight, odds of ten to one against any one are appalling. But they do not daunt the men of faith. Whether they personally win or die, their Cause prevails. They are sure to win: because (1) they have divine aid, and (2) even humanly speaking, those who take up arms against truth and righteousness are.]]

[[Ruby’s note – This is an exhortation and an inspirational verse, the numbers one versus twenty is an expression of that exhortation. In reality it could be less or even more that taken place in history. Anyway what is conveyed here: if one fights with faith and determination keeping trust in God. that would be the determining factor in defeating a greater enemy or opponent against enormous odds. The cause here is placed on divine assistance and guidance available only when one earns it through faith and trust in God and willingness to commit oneself in the cause.

This is the true cause and consequence rather than who has more military power or wealth or political power, etc. The non-believers on the other hand would not have this advantage because they do not understand the true cause of success and victory.]]

8: 66

Pickthall 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.

Transliteration Al'a_na khaffafalla_hu 'ankum wa 'alima anna fikum da'fa_(n), fa iy yakum minkum mi'atun sa_biratuy yaglibu_ mi'atain(i), wa iy yakum minkum alfuy yaglibu_ alfaini bi iznilla_h(i), walla_hu ma'as sa_birin(a).

[[ Ali’s notes: -

1233 Given equal conditions, Muslims on account of their faith could win against odds of ten to one. But where their organization and equipment are weak, as was the case about the time of Badr, they were set a lighter task, and asked to tackle no more than odds of two to one against them. As a matter of fact at Badr they won through against odds of more than three to one. (8.66) ]]

[[ The battle of trench – the could have been 20 times – see the details]]