Adapted from Tafsir Ibn Ashur

Themes and purpose:

This surah serves as a comprehensive review of the Battle of Badr. It establishes the legal rulings for the spoils of war and commands the believers to maintain unity and obey Allah and His Messenger. It recounts the events of the battle, highlighting divine support, establishing the ethics of combat and treaties, and distinguishing between the true believers, the disbelievers, and the hypocrites.

Context of Revelation:

Era: Madinan by unanimous agreement of the narrators. Its revelation began in the month of Ramadan in the 2nd year AH, immediately following the Battle of Badr. Ayah no. 66 was likely revealed later in Madinah, after the main body of the surah.

Context: The revelation began at Badr itself, before the Muslims had departed or divided the spoils, specifically to address the dispute that arose among the companions regarding the distribution of the spoils.

Order: The stronger view is that it was the second surah to be revealed in Madinah, after Sūrat al-Baqarah began to descend, and before Sūrat Āl ʿImrān. In the well-known chronological list, however, it has been counted as the 89th surah in the order of revelation, after Sūrat Āl ʿImrān and before Sūrat al-Aḥzāb.

Name and Ayah Count:

Name: "Sūrat al-Anfāl" (The Spoils of War). It has been known by this name since the time of the Companions. It opens with a specific question about the spoils and details the legal rulings concerning them.

Other Name: Ibn ʿAbbās also described it as "Sūrat Badr," as narrated by Saʿīd ibn Jubayr, because it details the events of that battle.

Ayah Count: 75 (Kūfan), 76 (Madīnah/Makkah/Baṣrah), or 77 (Shām).

Surah Overview:

• Clarifying the rulings of spoils, their division, and their recipients. [1, 41]
• Commanding fear of Allah and obedience to Him and His Messenger regarding spoils and other matters. [1, 20, 46]
• Ordering Muslims to rectify their internal relations, declaring this a pillar of complete faith. [1]
• Describing the Muslims’ departure intending the caravan, their unexpected encounter with the army, the positions of the two forces at Badr, the believers' fear of the enemy's numbers, and the divine aid and gentleness shown to them. [5-14, 42-44]
• Reminding them of Allah's favor in making them strong. [26]
• Promising victory and guidance conditional upon steadfastness against the enemy and patience. [45-46]
• Commanding unity and forbidding internal dispute. [46]
• Commanding preparation for war against enemies. [60]
• Directing that the purpose of fighting is victory of the religion, not seeking spoils or worldly gain. [39, 67, 74]
• Reminding the Prophet (ﷺ) of Allah's protection from the plots of the polytheists in Makkah and the justification for their punishment after his departure. [30-34]
• Calling the polytheists to desist and warning them of war. [38-39]
• Warning against the hypocrites. [49]
• Setting forth parables of past nations who opposed the Messengers. [52, 54]
• Establishing laws for treaties with disbelievers, the consequences of breaking them, and when peace is appropriate. [56-58, 61]
• Rulings concerning captives. [67-71]
• Rulings concerning loyalty and mutual support among the Emigrants, the Helpers, and those believers who remained in Makkah after the Emigration to Madinah, and the legal consequences of these bonds of allegiance. [72-75]