Tafsir of Al-Anfal 8:18

{ ذلكم } This is a demonstrative pronoun referring to the "good trial" (mentioned previously). Its grammatical position is nominative (marfu‘), meaning: "The purpose is that."

{ وأن الله موهن } This is conjoined to "that" (dhālikum). It means: The purpose is the testing of the believers and the weakening of the disbelievers' plot.

• Variant readings:
  • Muwahhin (with a shaddah on the ha).
  • Mūhinu (as an idafa/genitive construction).
  • Mūhinan (according to the original form, with tanwin and acting as a verbal noun).

{ إن تستفتحوا فقد جاءكم الفتح } If you (O disbelievers) seek a judgment and victory, then the victory has already come to you.

{ وإن تنتهوا فهو خير لكم } And if you desist (from disbelief and fighting the Prophet), it is better for you.

{ وإن تعودوا نعد } And if you return (to fighting), We shall return (to helping the believers against you).

{ ولن تغني عنكم فئتكم شيئا ولو كثرت } And your faction will not avail you anything, even if they are numerous.

{ وأن الله مع المؤمنين } And (know) that Allah is with the believers (by way of support and victory).