Notes on Quran - Sura 8

As I mentioned in my last post I am now reading a more contemporary English version of the Quran that I borrowed from my local public library. Here is a link to what I read for those interested.

Sura 8 -- Al-Anfal

Now for a few notes on this chapter.

2. Only they are true believers whose hearts fill up with awe when the name of God is mentioned; and their faith is further strengthened when His messages are read out to them; and those who place their trust in their Lord.

I just liked this verse especially as I imagined hearts swelling with "awe" at the mention of God's name! It reminded me of a stanza from "Revelation Song" and I can say I've experienced this heart-filling awesomeness of God. I can also relate to my heart being strengthened when God's message is proclaimed. I experience this often from reading the Bible and hearing sermons and reading publications reminding me of God's great message to mankind.

5. As your Lord sent you from your home (to fight) for the true cause, a section of the faithful were averse,

6. Who argued with you about the matter even after it had become quite clear, as if they were being pushed into (the arms of) death as they waited.
7. Though God promised that one of two columns (would fall to you), you desired the one that was not armed. But God wished to confirm the truth by His words, and wipe the unbelievers out to the last,

8. So that Truth may be affirmed and falsehood negated, even though the sinners be averse.
9. Remember when you prayed to your Lord for help, He heard you and said: "I shall send a thousand angels following behind you for your aid."

10. He gave you the good news only to reassure your hearts, for victory comes from God alone, and certainly God is all-mighty and all-wise.

I especially loved verses 9 and 10 and how God sends the help and victory that we need. From verses 5-8, I thought of the Bible story where the Israelites were supposed to go into Canaan and they sent in 12 men to spy out the land. Ten of them came back with discouraging reports: "The people are huuuuuuuuuuge! The city well-fortified! There is no way we can defeat these people!" However Joshua and Caleb knew with God on their side, these huge people and fortified walls were nothing and they urged their people to go forth and claim the land God had given them. But.. the people sided with the discouraging report against what God had promised them! They chose to listen to men over God and had to wander in the wilderness until that generation had all passed away. You think God takes unbelief as something trivial? So anyway, these verses reminded me of this because I read it as God promising them that one of two (armed?) columns would go down in defeat to the advancing Muslims, however, some chose to go after unarmed men because they were perhaps too frightened to trust God when they had such a formidable foe right before their eyes! These people doubted God's ability to help them when they were faced with their enemy. But it seems these doubters were the minority and all turned out well for the Muslims in the end. No forty years of wandering in the wilderness for them such as the children of Israel had to do!

22. The worst of creatures in the eyes of God are those who are deaf and dumb and devoid of sense.

23. If God had seen any good in them He would surely have made them hear. Now even if He makes them hear they will turn away (in obduracy).
24. O believers, respond to the call of God and His Prophet when he calls you to what will give you life (and preservation). Remember that God intervenes between man and his heart, and that you will be gathered before Him.

Without reading this in context, one would think verse 22 was a slam against disabled people, however, I think this has to do with people who are spiritually deaf, dumb and without sense. Like those who choose to harden their hearts to any moral influence and talk of God. Verse 24 gives Islam a more free will flavor. This in contrast to the other day when one sura made me see "predestination" all over it. Then again verse 23 seems to indicate God will only allow people to spiritually hear if they first have any good in them. I wonder how much good is necessary. How much is "any" good? Are some people just rotten to the core? From verse 24, I wonder what God intervening between a man and his heart means in this sense? He gives understanding? He opens eyes and hearts to His truth? But only if there is first some good in people (vs. 23)?

Interesting things to ponder anyway.



28. Know that your worldly possessions and your children are just a temptation, and that God has greater rewards with Him.

29.  O believers, if you follow the path shown by God, He will give you a standard (of right and wrong), and overlook your sins, and forgive you. God is abounding in benevolence.

Something about verse 28 reminded me of the passage from Matthew 10 that I discussed here the other day. The one about putting Jesus ahead of spouses, mothers, fathers and children. Seeing children as a temptation was a bit boggling until I remembered Jesus' words.

I am just reflecting some on verse 29.


63. Whose hearts He cemented with love. You could never have united their hearts even if you had spent whatever (wealth) is in the earth; but God united them with love, for He is all-mighty and all-wise.

64.  God is sufficient for you, O Prophet, and the faithful who follow you.

Jesus spoke a lot about love. How people would know we were his disciples if we had love for one another. He even went so far as to tell us to love our enemies! He expounded upon the "love your neighbor" command by making a despised (by the Jews of that time) Samaritan included as a neighbor! Egads! So. I really like verse 63 and how love unites hearts. It's not money, material stuff, whatever, but love. And the Bible states that God is love. So God unites hearts. Great verse.

I love the reminder in verse 64 that God is sufficient. Amen!

Now one last thing. In my post about Muhammad and Jesus and the Word of God comparison, someone left an interesting comment. I'd just read this sura so when she wrote it, I could actually relate to the Companion who "blundered" in this hadith. Let me explain.

Commenter wrote:

In fact, the Prophet himself used to emphasize that he was just a man. It is reported that once a Bedouin met him; when the Bedioun saw him, he was so awed by his presence, he trembled in fear. Seeing this Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: 'Calm down. I am only the son of a woman who used to eat dry meat in Makkah (meaning a poor woman).'

Also, it is said that once one of the Companions said he was going to do something, “If God willed and if His apostle did, too”. Prophet Mohammed grew so angry and asked him why he was associating a partner with God! He explained that this was blasphemous.

And while my thoughts are likely flawed and the verses out of context, let me show why I can understand the Companion who was rebuked after having just finished reading these verses from sura 8.


13. For they had opposed God and His Apostle; but whosoever opposes God and his Apostle (should know) that God is severe in retribution.

20. O believers, obey God and His Messenger, and do not turn away from him when you hear (him speak);

24. O believers, respond to the call of God and His Prophet when he calls you to what will give you life (and preservation). Remember that God intervenes between man and his heart, and that you will be gathered before Him.

46. Obey God and His Apostle, and do not disagree among yourselves or you will be unmanned and lose courage. Persevere, for God is with those who endure.

Notice how often God is coupled with Muhammad. Wouldn't "obey God" have sufficed? Then again maybe this was God's way of giving credence to whatever Muhammad was ordering the people to do. What do you think?