Tafsir of Al-Anfal 8:25

Al-Anfal (The Spoils of War): Verse 25

وَاتَّقُوا فِتْنَةً لَّا تُصِيبَنَّ الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا مِنكُمْ خَاصَّةً وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ

Translation and Exegesis:

Know that just as the Almighty warned man against being separated from his heart, He also warned him against tribulations (fitan).

The meaning is: Be wary of a tribulation that, if it befalls you, will not be restricted only to the wrongdoers, but will extend to all of you, reaching both the righteous and the wicked.

Regarding the occasion of revelation (Asbab al-Nuzul):

• From Al-Hasan: It was revealed concerning 'Ali, 'Ammar, Talha, and Al-Zubayr, specifically regarding the Battle of the Camel (Yawm al-Jamal).
• Al-Zubayr said: "It was revealed concerning us, and we recited it for a time, never imagining that we were the ones meant by it, until we found ourselves to be the subject."
• From Al-Suddi: It was revealed concerning the people of Badr, who later fought each other on the Day of the Camel.
• A narration states: Al-Zubayr was conversing privately with the Prophet (PBUH) one day when 'Ali approached. Al-Zubayr laughed at him. The Messenger of Allah asked, "How is your love for 'Ali?" He replied, "O Messenger of Allah, I love him as I love my own children, or even more." The Prophet asked, "How will you be when you march out to fight him?"

Linguistic Inquiry:

If it is asked: How is it permissible for the emphatic nūn (نون التأكيد) to enter the response to a command (imperative)?

We reply: There are two perspectives:

1. The response to the command is phrased as a prohibition. Whenever this is the case, it is appropriate to introduce the emphatic nūn into that prohibition. For example, you might say: "Get off the mount, lā tuṭraḥannaka (lest it throw you down)." This is similar to the verse: {O ants, enter your dwellings, lest Solomon and his hosts crush you unknowingly} (An-Naml: 18), where the prohibition carries the emphatic nūn.
2. The implied meaning is: "Beware of a tribulation that will surely strike those among you who do wrong, specifically." However, the prohibitive form is used as an exaggeration to negate the exclusivity of the tribulation to the wrongdoers, as if the tribulation itself was forbidden from being exclusive. It is as if it was told: "Do not strike those who do wrong only." This is a metaphorical expression emphasizing the non-exclusivity.

Continuation of Meaning:

Then the Almighty said: {And know that Allah is severe in punishment.}

The meaning here is an encouragement to adhere to uprightness out of fear of Allah's punishment.

Addressing a Potential Objection:

If it is asked: The essence of the discussion in the verse is that the Almighty warns them of a punishment that, if it descends, will encompass the sinner and the non-sinner alike. How is it fitting for the Mercy of the Wise (Allah) to inflict tribulation and punishment upon one who has not sinned?

We reply: The Almighty sometimes inflicts death, poverty, blindness, or infirmity upon His servant initially. This is either because He deems it good by virtue of His ownership (as a Master), or because the Almighty knows that such afflictions contain a type of benefit, according to differing scholarly views. If this is permissible for either of these two reasons, then the situation here is also permissible. And Allah knows best.

Verse 26

وَاذْكُرُوا إِذْ أَنْتُمْ قَلِيلٌ مُسْتَضْعَفُونَ فِي الْأَرْضِ تَخَافُونَ أَنْ يَتَخَطَّفَكُمُ النَّاسُ فَآوَاكُمْ وَأَيَّدَكُمْ بِنَصْرِهِ وَرَزَقَكُمْ مِنَ الطَّيِّبَاتِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ

Translation:

And remember when you were few, oppressed in the land, fearing that people might snatch you away. So He gave you refuge, strengthened you with His victory, and provided you with good things, that you might be grateful.