Chapter 8

8.1

surah 8 - verse 1

translator's name	verse
Arberry	They will question thee concerning the spoils. Say: 'The spoils belong to God and the Messenger; so fear you God, and set things right between you, and obey you God and His Messenger, if you are believers.'
Maududi	They ask you concerning the spoils of war? Tell them: 'The spoils of war belong to Allah and the Messenger. So fear Allah, and set things right between you, and obey Allah and His Messenger if you are true believers.
Pickthall	They ask thee (O Muhammad) of the spoils of war. Say: The spoils of war belong to Allah and the messenger, so keep your duty to Allah, and adjust the matter of your difference, and obey Allah and His messenger, if ye are (true) believers.
Sahih	They ask you, [O Muhammad], about the bounties [of war]. Say, "The [decision concerning] bounties is for Allah and the Messenger." So fear Allah and amend that which is between you and obey Allah and His Messenger, if you should be believers.
Yusuf Ali	They ask thee concerning (things taken as) spoils of war. Say: "(such) spoils are at the disposal of Allah and the Messenger: So fear Allah, and keep straight the relations between yourselves: Obey Allah and His Messenger, if ye do believe."

8.2

surah 8 - verse 2

translator's name	verse
Arberry	Those only are believers who, when God is mentioned, their hearts quake, and when His signs are recited to them, it increases them in faith, and in their Lord they put their trust,
Maududi	The true believers are those who, when Allah's name is mentioned, their hearts quake, and when His verses are recited to them their faith grows, and who put their trust in their Lord;
Pickthall	They only are the (true) believers whose hearts feel fear when Allah is mentioned, and when His revelations are recited unto them they increase their faith, and who trust in their Lord;
Sahih	The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, their hearts become fearful, and when His verses are recited to them, it increases them in faith; and upon their Lord they rely -
Yusuf Ali	For, Believers are those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a tremor in their hearts, and when they hear His signs rehearsed, find their faith strengthened, and put (all) their trust in their Lord;

8.3

surah 8 - verse 3

translator's name	verse
Arberry	those who perform the prayer, and expend of what We have provided them,
Maududi	who establish Prayer and spend out of what We have provided them.
Pickthall	Who establish worship and spend of that We have bestowed on them.
Sahih	The ones who establish prayer, and from what We have provided them, they spend.
Yusuf Ali	Who establish regular prayers and spend (freely) out of the gifts We have given them for sustenance:

8.4

surah 8 - verse 4

translator's name	verse
Arberry	those in truth are the believers; they have degrees with their Lord, and forgiveness, and generous provision.
Maududi	Such people are indeed true believers. They have high ranks with their Lord, and forgiveness for their sins and an honourable sustenance.
Pickthall	Those are they who are in truth believers. For them are grades (of honour) with their Lord, and pardon, and a bountiful provision.
Sahih	Those are the believers, truly. For them are degrees [of high position] with their Lord and forgiveness and noble provision.
Yusuf Ali	Such in truth are the believers: they have grades of dignity with their Lord, and forgiveness, and generous sustenance:

8.5

surah 8 - verse 5

translator's name	verse
Arberry	As thy Lord brought thee forth from thy house with the truth, and a part of the believers were averse to it,
Maududi	(Now with regard to the spoils the same situation exists as when) your Lord brought you forth from your home in a righteous cause while a party among the believers were much averse to it.
Pickthall	Even as thy Lord caused thee (Muhammad) to go forth from thy home with the Truth, and lo! a party of the believers were averse (to it).
Sahih	[It is] just as when your Lord brought you out of your home [for the battle of Badr] in truth, while indeed, a party among the believers were unwilling,
Yusuf Ali	Just as thy Lord ordered thee out of thy house in truth, even though a party among the Believers disliked it,

8.6

surah 8 - verse 6

translator's name	verse
Arberry	disputing with thee concerning the truth after it had become clear, as though they were being driven into death with their eyes wide open.
Maududi	They disputed with you about the truth after that had become evident, as if they were being driven to death with their eyes wide open.
Pickthall	Disputing with thee of the Truth after it had been made manifest, as if they were being driven to death visible.
Sahih	Arguing with you concerning the truth after it had become clear, as if they were being driven toward death while they were looking on.
Yusuf Ali	Disputing with thee concerning the truth after it was made manifest, as if they were being driven to death and they (actually) saw it.

8.7

surah 8 - verse 7

translator's name	verse
Arberry	And when God promised you one of the two parties should be yours, and you were wishing that the one not accoutred should be yours; but God was desiring to verify the truth by His words, and to cut off the unbelievers to the last remnant,
Maududi	And recall when Allah promised you that one of the two hosts would fall to you, and you wished that the one without arms should fall into your hands. But Allah sought to prove by His words the truth to be true and to annihilate the unbelievers to the last remnant
Pickthall	And when Allah promised you one of the two bands (of the enemy) that it should be yours, and ye longed that other than the armed one might be yours. And Allah willed that He should cause the Truth to triumph by His words, and cut the root of the disbelievers;
Sahih	[Remember, O believers], when Allah promised you one of the two groups - that it would be yours - and you wished that the unarmed one would be yours. But Allah intended to establish the truth by His words and to eliminate the disbelievers
Yusuf Ali	Behold! Allah promised you one of the two (enemy) parties, that it should be yours: Ye wished that the one unarmed should be yours, but Allah willed to justify the Truth according to His words and to cut off the roots of the Unbelievers;-

8.8

surah 8 - verse 8

translator's name	verse
Arberry	and that He might verify the truth and prove untrue the untrue, though the sinners were averse to it.
Maududi	that He might prove the truth to be true and the false to be false, however averse the evil-doers might be to it.
Pickthall	That He might cause the Truth to triumph and bring vanity to naught, however much the guilty might oppose;
Sahih	That He should establish the truth and abolish falsehood, even if the criminals disliked it.
Yusuf Ali	That He might justify Truth and prove Falsehood false, distasteful though it be to those in guilt.

8.9

surah 8 - verse 9

translator's name	verse
Arberry	When you were calling upon your Lord for succour, and He answered you, 'I shall reinforce you with a thousand angels riding behind you.'
Maududi	And recall when you implored your Lord for help and He responded to you: 'I will indeed reinforce you with a thousand angels, coming host after host.'
Pickthall	When ye sought help of your Lord and He answered you (saying): I will help you with a thousand of the angels, rank on rank.
Sahih	[Remember] when you asked help of your Lord, and He answered you, "Indeed, I will reinforce you with a thousand from the angels, following one another."
Yusuf Ali	Remember ye implored the assistance of your Lord, and He answered you: "I will assist you with a thousand of the angels, ranks on ranks."

8.10

surah 8 - verse 10

translator's name	verse
Arberry	God wrought this not, save as good tidings and that your hearts thereby might be at rest; help comes only from God; surely God is All-mighty, All-wise.
Maududi	Allah meant this as glad tidings and that your hearts may be set at rest. For every help comes from Allah alone. Surely Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.
Pickthall	Allah appointed it only as good tidings, and that your hearts thereby might be at rest. Victory cometh only by the help of Allah. Lo! Allah is Mighty, Wise.
Sahih	And Allah made it not but good tidings and so that your hearts would be assured thereby. And victory is not but from Allah. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.
Yusuf Ali	Allah made it but a message of hope, and an assurance to your hearts: (in any case) there is no help except from Allah: and Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise.

8.11

surah 8 - verse 11

translator's name	verse
Arberry	When He was causing slumber to overcome you as a security from Him, and sending down on you water from heaven, to purify you thereby, and to put away from you the defilement of Satan, and to strengthen your hearts, and to confirm your feet.
Maududi	And recall when Allah brought on you drowsiness, giving you a feeling of peace and security from Him, and He sent down rain upon you from the sky that He might cleanse you through it and take away from you the pollution of Satan and strengthen your hearts, and steady your feet through it.
Pickthall	When He made the slumber fall upon you as a reassurance from him and sent down water from the sky upon you, that thereby He might purify you, and remove from you the fear of Satan, and make strong your hearts and firm (your) feet thereby.
Sahih	[Remember] when He overwhelmed you with drowsiness [giving] security from Him and sent down upon you from the sky, rain by which to purify you and remove from you the evil [suggestions] of Satan and to make steadfast your hearts and plant firmly thereby your feet.
Yusuf Ali	Remember He covered you with a sort of drowsiness, to give you calm as from Himself, and he caused rain to descend on you from heaven, to clean you therewith, to remove from you the stain of Satan, to strengthen your hearts, and to plant your feet firmly therewith.

8.12

surah 8 - verse 12

translator's name	verse
Arberry	When thy Lord was revealing to the angels, 'I am with you; so confirm the believers. I shall cast into the unbelievers' hearts terror; so smite above the necks, and smite every finger of them!'
Maududi	And recall when your Lord inspired the angels: 'I am certainly with you. So make firm the feet of those who believe. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. So strike at their necks and strike at every pore and tip.
Pickthall	When thy Lord inspired the angels, (saying): I am with you. So make those who believe stand firm. I will throw fear into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Then smite the necks and smite of them each finger.
Sahih	[Remember] when your Lord inspired to the angels, "I am with you, so strengthen those who have believed. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieved, so strike [them] upon the necks and strike from them every fingertip."
Yusuf Ali	Remember thy Lord inspired the angels (with the message): "I am with you: give firmness to the Believers: I will instil terror into the hearts of the Unbelievers: smite ye above their necks and smite all their finger-tips off them."

8.13

surah 8 - verse 13

translator's name	verse
Arberry	That, because they had made a breach with God and with His Messenger; and whosoever makes a breach with God and with His Messenger, surely God is terrible in retribution.
Maududi	This is because they defied Allah and His Messenger. Whoever defies Allah and His Messenger must know that Allah is severe in punishment.
Pickthall	That is because they opposed Allah and His messenger. Whoso opposeth Allah and His messenger, (for him) lo! Allah is severe in punishment.
Sahih	That is because they opposed Allah and His Messenger. And whoever opposes Allah and His Messenger - indeed, Allah is severe in penalty.
Yusuf Ali	This because they contended against Allah and His Messenger: If any contend against Allah and His Messenger, Allah is strict in punishment.

8.14

surah 8 - verse 14

translator's name	verse
Arberry	That for you; therefore taste it; and that the chastisement of the Fire is for the unbelievers.
Maududi	That is your punishment (from Allah). So taste this punishment, and know that for the unbelievers is the punishment of the Fire.
Pickthall	That (is the award), so taste it, and (know) that for disbelievers is the torment of the Fire.
Sahih	"That [is yours], so taste it." And indeed for the disbelievers is the punishment of the Fire.
Yusuf Ali	Thus (will it be said): "Taste ye then of the (punishment): for those who resist Allah, is the penalty of the Fire."

8.15

surah 8 - verse 15

translator's name	verse
Arberry	O believers, when you encounter the unbelievers marching to battle, turn not your backs to them.
Maududi	Believers, whenever you encounter a hostile force of unbelievers, do not turn your backs to them in flight.
Pickthall	O ye who believe! When ye meet those who disbelieve in battle, turn not your backs to them.
Sahih	O you who have believed, when you meet those who disbelieve advancing [for battle], do not turn to them your backs [in flight].
Yusuf Ali	O ye who believe! when ye meet the Unbelievers in hostile array, never turn your backs to them.

8.16

surah 8 - verse 16

translator's name	verse
Arberry	Whoso turns his back that day to them, unless withdrawing to fight again or removing to join another host, he is laden with the burden of God's anger, and his refuge is Gehenna -- an evil homecoming!
Maududi	For he who turns his back on them on such ar occasion - except that it be for tactical reasons, or turning to join another company - he shall incur the wrath of Allah and Hell shall be his abode. It is an evil destination.
Pickthall	Whoso on that day turneth his back to them, unless manoeuvring for battle or intent to join a company, he truly hath incurred wrath from Allah, and his habitation will be hell, a hapless journey's end.
Sahih	And whoever turns his back to them on such a day, unless swerving [as a strategy] for war or joining [another] company, has certainly returned with anger [upon him] from Allah, and his refuge is Hell - and wretched is the destination.
Yusuf Ali	If any do turn his back to them on such a day - unless it be in a stratagem of war, or to retreat to a troop (of his own)- he draws on himself the wrath of Allah, and his abode is Hell,- an evil refuge (indeed)!

8.17

surah 8 - verse 17

translator's name	verse
Arberry	You did not slay them, but God slew them; and when thou threwest, it was not thyself that threw, but God threw, and that He might confer on the believers a fair benefit; surely God is All-hearing, All-knowing.
Maududi	So the fact is that it was not you, but it was Allah Who killed them; and it was not you when you threw [sand at them], but it was Allah Who threw it, (and the believers were employed for the task) that He might cause the believers to successfully pass through this test. Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.
Pickthall	Ye (Muslims) slew them not, but Allah slew them. And thou (Muhammad) threwest not when thou didst throw, but Allah threw, that He might test the believers by a fair test from Him. Lo! Allah is Hearer, Knower.
Sahih	And you did not kill them, but it was Allah who killed them. And you threw not, [O Muhammad], when you threw, but it was Allah who threw that He might test the believers with a good test. Indeed, Allah is Hearing and Knowing.
Yusuf Ali	It is not ye who slew them; it was Allah: when thou threwest (a handful of dust), it was not thy act, but Allah's: in order that He might test the Believers by a gracious trial from Himself: for Allah is He Who heareth and knoweth (all things).

8.18

surah 8 - verse 18

translator's name	verse
Arberry	That for you; and that God weakens the unbelievers' guile.
Maududi	This is His manner of dealing with you. As for the unbelievers, Allah will surely undermine their designs.
Pickthall	That (is the case); and (know) that Allah (it is) Who maketh weak the plan of disbelievers.
Sahih	That [is so], and [also] that Allah will weaken the plot of the disbelievers.
Yusuf Ali	That, and also because Allah is He Who makes feeble the plans and stratagem of the Unbelievers.

8.19

surah 8 - verse 19

translator's name	verse
Arberry	If victory you are seeking, victory has already come upon you; and if you give over, it is better for you. But if you return, We shall return, and your host will avail you nothing though it be numerous; and that God is with the believers.
Maududi	(Tell the unbelievers:) 'If you have sought a judgement, then surely a judgement has come to you. And if you desist from disobedience, it is all the better for you. But if you revert to your mischief, We will again chastise you; and your host, howsoever numerous, will never be of any avail to you. Know well, Allah is with the believers.'
Pickthall	(O Qureysh!) If ye sought a judgment, now hath the judgment come unto you. And if ye cease (from persecuting the believers) it will be better for you, but if ye return (to the attack) We also shall return. And your host will avail you naught, however numerous it be, and (know) that Allah is with the believers (in His Guidance).
Sahih	If you [disbelievers] seek the victory - the defeat has come to you. And if you desist [from hostilities], it is best for you; but if you return [to war], We will return, and never will you be availed by your [large] company at all, even if it should increase; and [that is] because Allah is with the believers.
Yusuf Ali	(O Unbelievers!) if ye prayed for victory and judgment, now hath the judgment come to you: if ye desist (from wrong), it will be best for you: if ye return (to the attack), so shall We. Not the least good will your forces be to you even if they were multiplied: for verily Allah is with those who believe!

8.20

surah 8 - verse 20

translator's name	verse
Arberry	O believers, obey God and His Messenger, and do not turn away from Him, even as you are listening;
Maududi	Believers! Obey Allah and His Messenger and do not turn away from him after you hear his command.
Pickthall	O ye who believe! Obey Allah and His messenger, and turn not away from him when ye hear (him speak).
Sahih	O you who have believed, obey Allah and His Messenger and do not turn from him while you hear [his order].
Yusuf Ali	O ye who believe! Obey Allah and His Messenger, and turn not away from him when ye hear (him speak).