Tafsir of Al-Anfal 8:68

Were it not a previous ordainment from Allah, a severe torment would have touched you for what you took.'' Ali bin Abi Talhah narrated that Ibn Abbas said about Allah's statement,

لوﻻ كتاب من الله سبق

(Were it not a previous ordainment from Allah...), "In the Preserved Book, that war spoils and prisoners of war will be made allowed for you,

لمسكم فيما أخذتم

(would have touched you for what you took), because of the captives

عذاب عظيم

(a severe torment). Allah, the Exalted said next,

فكلوا مما غنمتم حﻼﻻ طيبا

(So enjoy what you have gotten of booty in war, lawful and good).'' Al-Awfi also reported this statement from Ibn Abbas. A similar statement was collected from Abu Hurayrah, Ibn Mas`ud, Sa`id bin Jubayr, Ata', Al-Hasan Al-Basri, Qatadah and Al-A`mash. They all stated that,

لوﻻ كتاب من الله سبق

(Were it not a previous ordainment from Allah...), refers to allowing the spoils of war for this Ummah. Supporting this view is what the Two Sahihs recorded that Jabir bin Abdullah said that the Messenger of Allah said,

أعطيت خمسا لم يعطهن أحد من اﻻنبياء قبلي

نصرت بالرعب مسيرة شهر

وجعلت لي اﻻرض مسجدا وطهورا

وأحلت لي الغنايم ولم تحل ﻻأحد قبلي

وأعطيت الشفاعة

وكان النبي يبعث إلى قومه وبعثت إلى الناس عامة

I have been given five things which were not given to any Prophet before me. (They are:) Allah made me victorious by awe, (by His frightening my enemies) for a distance of one month's journey. The earth has been made a place for praying and a purifier for me. The booty has been made lawful for me, yet it was not lawful for anyone else before me. I have been given the right of intercession (on the Day of Resurrection). Every Prophet used to be sent to his people only, but I have been sent to all mankind. Al-A`mash narrated that Abu Salih said that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah said,

لم تحل الغنايم لسود الرووس غيرنا

War booty was never allowed for any among mankind except us. Abu Hurayrah said; This is why Allah the Most High said,