Surah Al Anfal Tafseer

Manners of War

Allah says;

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ امَنُواْ إِذَا لَقِيتُمْ فِيَةً فَاثْبُتُواْ وَاذْكُرُواْ اللّهَ كَثِيرًا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلَحُونَ

O you who believe! When you meet (an enemy) force, take a firm stand against them and remember Allah much, so that you may be successful.

Allah instructs His faithful servants in the manners of fighting and methods of courage when meeting the enemy in battle,

In the Two Sahihs, it is recorded that;

Abdullah bin Abi Awfa said that during one battle, Allah's Messenger waited until the sun declined, then stood among the people and said,

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ لَاا تَتَمَنَّوْا لِقَاءَ الْعَدُوِّ واسْأَلُوا اللهَ الْعَافِيَةَ فَإِذَا لَقِيتُمُوهُمْ فَاصْبِرُوا وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ الْجَنَّةَ تَحْتَ ظِلَالِ السُّيُوف

O people! Do not wish to face the enemy (in a battle) and ask Allah to save you (from calamities). But if you should face the enemy, then be patient and let it be known to you that Paradise is under the shadows of the swords.

He then stood and said,

اللَّهُمَّ مُنْزِلَ الْكِتَابِ وَمُجْرِي السَّحَابِ وَهَازِمَ الاَْحْزَابِ اهْزِمْهُمْ وَانْصُرْنَا عَلَيْهِم

O Allah! Revealer of the (Holy) Book, Mover of the clouds, and Defeater of the Confederates, defeat them and grant us victory over them.

The Command for Endurance when the Enemy Engaging

Allah commands endurance upon meeting the enemy in battle and ordains patience while fighting them. Muslims are not allowed to run or shy away, or show cowardice in battle.

They are commanded to remember Allah while in that condition and never neglect His remembrance. They should rather invoke Him for support, trust in Him and seek victory over their enemies from Him. They are required to obey Allah and His Messenger in such circumstances adhering to what He commanded them, and abstaining from what He forbade them