RationalWiki:Annotated Qur'an/The Spoils Of War

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Annotated Qur'an
Sura 8: The Spoils Of War
Word-by-word translation
Alternate translations and related tafsirs
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Qur'an 8:1[edit]

They ask you about the bounties. Say, “The bounties are for God and the Messenger.” So be mindful of God, and settle your differences, and obey God and His Messenger, if you are believers.

Qur'an 8:1 Notes[edit]

In some verses, Muhammad specifies that he is a messenger of Allah and not a tyrant. In other verses, he commands people to obey his every word, though this is supposedly because those are Allah's orders and not his own. Muhammad now demands, from the very first verse in this chapter, some of the spoils of war. He doesn't even say that these are for Allah only. He says that these for both Allah and himself.

Qur'an 8:2[edit]

The believers are those whose hearts tremble when God is mentioned, and when His revelations are recited to them, they strengthen them in faith, and upon their Lord they rely.

Qur'an 8:2 Notes[edit]

This is just some faith fluff after a command for soldiers to give Muhammad some booty... not that kind of booty!

Qur'an 8:3[edit]

Those who perform the prayer; and from Our provisions to them, they spend.

Qur'an 8:3 Notes[edit]

Allah follows that fluff by ordering people to give him attention. This just looks insecure and pathetic, completely unfitting of the magnificent being who allegedly created the world in its entirety.

Qur'an 8:4[edit]

These are the true believers. They have high standing with their Lord, and forgiveness, and a generous provision.

Qur'an 8:4 Notes[edit]

Allah again reserves this "forgiveness" exclusively for those lowly humans who grovel and worship.

Qur'an 8:5[edit]

Even as your Lord brought you out of your home with the truth, some believers were reluctant.

Qur'an 8:5 Notes[edit]

Can those of us alive today see this supposed "truth" at which this book vaguely hints every now and again.

Qur'an 8:6[edit]

Arguing with you about the truth after it was made clear, as if they were being driven to death as they looked on.

Qur'an 8:6 Notes[edit]

Perhaps it wasn't made clear in the first place?

Qur'an 8:7[edit]

God has promised you one of the two groups—that it would be yours—but you wanted the unarmed group to be yours. God intends to prove the truth with His words, and to uproot the disbelievers.

Qur'an 8:7 Notes[edit]

This is clearly talking about a specific event during Muhammad's lifetime and thus makes little sense without such context. On that note, do Muslim fighters still have to share their spoils of war with a long-dead "messenger" and his supposedly real deity? Does anything in this chapter apply ages after the fact?

Qur'an 8:8[edit]

In order to confirm the truth and nullify falsehood, even though the guilty dislike it.

Qur'an 8:8 Notes[edit]

This book could "nullify falsehood" by not being filled to the brim with it.

Qur'an 8:9[edit]

When you appealed to your Lord for help, He answered you, “I am reinforcing you with one thousand angels in succession.”

Qur'an 8:9 Notes[edit]

This verse is a prime example.

Qur'an 8:10[edit]

God only made it a message of hope, and to set your hearts at rest. Victory comes only from God. God is Mighty and Wise.

Qur'an 8:10 Notes[edit]

Why does this "message of hope" command people to fear a malevolent despot who promises repeatedly to torture the vast majority of humanity forever?

Qur'an 8:11[edit]

He made drowsiness overcome you, as a security from Him. And He sent down upon you water from the sky, to cleanse you with it, and to rid you of Satan’s pollution, and to fortify your hearts, and to strengthen your foothold.

Qur'an 8:11 Notes[edit]

Rainwater can cleanse people of "Satan's pollution" now? It's also good for heart health?

Qur'an 8:12[edit]

Your Lord inspired the angels: “I am with you, so support those who believe. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. So strike above the necks, and strike off every fingertip of theirs.”

Qur'an 8:12 Notes[edit]

Graphic verses such as this one are exactly what the "message of hope" needs to show that Islam is a religion of peace.

Qur'an 8:13[edit]

That is because they opposed God and His Messenger. Whoever opposes God and His Messenger—God is severe in retribution.

Qur'an 8:13 Notes[edit]

We get it! Allah loves talking about how "Forgiving and Merciful" he really is.

Qur'an 8:14[edit]

“Here it is; so taste it.” For the disbelievers there is the suffering of the Fire.

Qur'an 8:14 Notes[edit]

How can mere mortals handle such immense forgiveness and mercy?

Qur'an 8:15[edit]

O you who believe! When you meet those who disbelieve on the march, never turn your backs on them.

Qur'an 8:15 Notes[edit]

Translation: Show no mercy! Show no hesitation to those people who don't even deserve to live!

Qur'an 8:16[edit]

Anyone who turns his back on them on that Day, except while maneuvering for battle, or to join another group, has incurred wrath from God, and his abode is Hell—what a miserable destination!

Qur'an 8:16 Notes[edit]

Freaking seriously! What message is a Muslim alive today well after this specific battle ended supposed to take away form any of these verses?

Qur'an 8:17[edit]

It was not you who killed them, but it was God who killed them. And it was not you who launched when you launched, but it was God who launched. That He may bestow upon the believers an excellent reward. God is Hearing and Knowing.

Qur'an 8:17 Notes[edit]

Prove that this "excellent reward" even exists before commanding people to slaughter their enemies mercilessly for it.

Qur'an 8:18[edit]

Such is the case. God will undermine the strategy of the disbelievers.

Qur'an 8:18 Notes[edit]

Many centuries later, Islam is only one of the biggest religions in the world because of higher-than-average birth rates and despite record rates of apostasy.

Qur'an 8:19[edit]

If you desire a verdict, the verdict has come to you. And if you desist, it would be best for you. And if you return, We will return; and your troops, however numerous, will not benefit you. God is with the believers.

Qur'an 8:19 Notes[edit]

Or... Allah doesn't exist and believers only fight and win because they think that Allah is with them in this fight. They take their victories as signs that Allah is really helping them win.

Qur'an 8:20[edit]

O you who believe! Obey God and His Messenger, and do not turn away from him when you hear.

Qur'an 8:20 Notes[edit]

How many times does Muhammad command people to obey his every word?

Qur'an 8:21[edit]

And be not like those who say, “We hear,” when they do not hear.

Qur'an 8:21 Notes[edit]

The hypocrisy here is beyond palpable.

Qur'an 8:22[edit]

The worst of animals to God are the deaf and dumb—those who do not reason.

Qur'an 8:22 Notes[edit]

So why exactly did Allah create them in the first place? Allah repeatedly brags about sealing their eyes and ears so that they can remain "the deaf and dumb" while sealing their hearts (the thinking organs according to this book) to guarantee that they "do not reason". The painful irony of this thought-terminating cliché is beyond palpable.

Qur'an 8:23[edit]

Had God recognized any good in them, He would have made them hear; and had He made them hear, they would have turned away defiantly.

Qur'an 8:23 Notes[edit]

Allah claims to have created these beings without "any good in them" for reasons.

Qur'an 8:24[edit]

O you who believe! Respond to God and to the Messenger when He calls you to what will revive you. And know that God stands between a man and his heart, and that to Him you will be gathered.

Qur'an 8:24 Notes[edit]

How is this possible for those born literal centuries after Muhammad died?

Qur'an 8:25[edit]

And beware of discord which does not afflict the wrongdoers among you exclusively; and know that God is severe in retribution.

Qur'an 8:25 Notes[edit]

Allah loves reiterating how this "Most Merciful of the merciful" is simultaneously "severe in retribution" because that makes total sense.

Qur'an 8:26[edit]

And remember when you were few, oppressed in the land, fearing that people may capture you; but He sheltered you, and supported you with His victory, and provided you with good things—so that you may be thankful.

Qur'an 8:26 Notes[edit]

Those who can remember that shouldn't go on to oppress others and instill immense fear in them.

Qur'an 8:27[edit]

O you who believe! Do not betray God and the Messenger, nor betray your trusts, while you know.

Qur'an 8:27 Notes[edit]

This chapter's hypocrisy continues.

Qur'an 8:28[edit]

And know that your possessions and your children are a test, and that God possesses an immense reward.

Qur'an 8:28 Notes[edit]

Allah could prove any of that so that people could actually "know" it.

Qur'an 8:29[edit]

O you who believe! If you remain conscious of God, He will give you a criterion, and will remit from you your sins, and will forgive you. God is possessor of infinite grace.

Qur'an 8:29 Notes[edit]

Allah brags about torturing the vast majority of humanity in hell forever after creating them and predestining everything that can ever happen to them.

Qur'an 8:30[edit]

When the disbelievers plotted against you, to imprison you, or kill you, or expel you. They planned, and God planned, but God is the Best of planners.

Qur'an 8:30 Notes[edit]

Allah is way too clueless to even plan the revelations of this awful book.

Qur'an 8:31[edit]

And when Our revelations are recited to them, they say, “We have heard. Had we wanted, we could have said the like of this; these are nothing but myths of the ancients.”

Qur'an 8:31 Notes[edit]

They are myths without any evidence pointing to them being beyond just myths. Also, people have been telling such tall tales for centuries if not millennia before Muhammad was even born. Thus, they are indeed "myths of the ancients" now and back then.

Qur'an 8:32[edit]

And they said, “Our God, if this is the truth from You, then rain down on us stones from the sky, or visit us with a painful affliction.”

Qur'an 8:32 Notes[edit]

Who? Who actually says that?

Qur'an 8:33[edit]

But God would not punish them while you are amongst them. And God would not punish them as long as they seek forgiveness.

Qur'an 8:33 Notes[edit]

A truly merciful god would not punish anybody at all.

Qur'an 8:34[edit]

Yet why should God not punish them, when they are turning others away from the Sacred Mosque, although they are not its custodians? Its rightful custodians are the pious; but most of them do not know.

Qur'an 8:34 Notes[edit]

Allah needs to get his priorities straight.

Qur'an 8:35[edit]

Their prayer at the House was nothing but whistling and clapping—so taste the punishment for your blasphemy.

Qur'an 8:35 Notes[edit]

Does this whistling have to be in a language which less than a quarter of religious adherents even know?

Qur'an 8:36[edit]

Those who disbelieve spend their wealth to repel from God’s path. They will spend it, then it will become a source of sorrow for them, and then they will be defeated. Those who disbelieve will be herded into Hell.

Qur'an 8:36 Notes[edit]

Frankly, "God's path" leads people to dehumanizing and slaughtering disbelievers en masse.

Qur'an 8:37[edit]

That God may distinguish the bad from the good, and heap the bad on top of one another, and pile them together, and throw them in Hell. These are the losers.

Qur'an 8:37 Notes[edit]

Allah could easily have not made anybody bad in the first place, but then who would suffer forever in Hell after everybody dies?

Qur'an 8:38[edit]

Say to those who disbelieve: if they desist, their past will be forgiven. But if they persist—the practice of the ancients has passed away.

Qur'an 8:38 Notes[edit]

What happens to those who only pretend to "desist" in an act of self-preservation because so many people, even today, sincerely believe that Allah wants them to kill disbelievers?

Qur'an 8:39[edit]

Fight them until there is no more persecution, and religion becomes exclusively for God. But if they desist—God is Seeing of what they do.

Qur'an 8:39 Notes[edit]

This verse is literally saying to fight until nobody worships any gods other than Allah. This verse is literally saying to fight until Islam is the only religion left. Is that not a form of persecution?

Qur'an 8:40[edit]

And if they turn away, know that God is your Protector. The Best Protector, and the Best Supporter .

Qur'an 8:40 Notes[edit]

So said the great narcissist above!

Qur'an 8:41[edit]

And know that whatever spoils you gain, to God belongs its fifth, and to the Messenger, and the relatives, and the orphans, and the poor, and to the wayfarer, provided you believe in God and in what We revealed to Our servant on the Day of Distinction, the day when the two armies met. God is Capable of everything.

Qur'an 8:41 Notes[edit]

Why would such a god need a fifth of any spoils of war anyhow? This just sounds like a greedy warlord.

Qur'an 8:42[edit]

Recall when you were on the nearer bank, and they were on the further bank, and the caravan was below you. Had you planned for this meeting, you would have disagreed on the timing, but God was to carry out a predetermined matter, so that those who perish would perish by clear evidence, and those who survive would survive by clear evidence. God is Hearing and Knowing .

Qur'an 8:42 Notes[edit]

Is this "clear evidence" in the room with us right now?

Qur'an 8:43[edit]

God made them appear in your dream as few. Had He made them appear as many, you would have lost heart, and disputed in the matter. But God saved the situation. He knows what the hearts contain.

Qur'an 8:43 Notes[edit]

Allah should, at the very least, know that the brain and not the heart is the thinky bit in humans.

Qur'an 8:44[edit]

When you met, He made them appear as few in your eyes, and made you appear fewer in their eyes, so that God may conclude a predetermined matter. To God all matters revert.

Qur'an 8:44 Notes[edit]

This god has to do some rather weird things not befitting an actual omnipotent god to "conclude a predetermined matter", but that is just the problem with omnipotent gods in the first place.

Qur'an 8:45[edit]

O you who believe! When you meet a force, stand firm, and remember God much, so that you may prevail.

Qur'an 8:45 Notes[edit]

Say that to anybody who fought while believing in Allah and subsequently lost.

Qur'an 8:46[edit]

And obey God and His Messenger, and do not dispute, lest you falter and lose your courage. And be steadfast. God is with the steadfast.

Qur'an 8:46 Notes[edit]

Translation: Don't disagree. Don't hesitate. Just obey.

Qur'an 8:47[edit]

And do not be like those who left their homes boastfully, showing off before the people, and barring others from the path of God. God comprehends what they do.

Qur'an 8:47 Notes[edit]

Allah seems to comprehend absolutely nothing.

Qur'an 8:48[edit]

Satan made their deeds appear good to them, and said, “You cannot be defeated by any people today, and I am at your side.” But when the two armies came in sight of one another, he turned on his heels, and said, “I am innocent of you; I see what you do not see; I fear God; God is severe in punishment.”

Qur'an 8:48 Notes[edit]

This verse describes Allah more than it does Satan. Who exactly made the slaughter of disbelievers "appear good" to the armies who sincerely believe that the master of this world demanded that of them?

Qur'an 8:49[edit]

The hypocrites and those in whose hearts is sickness said, “Their religion has deluded these people.” But whoever puts his trust in God—God is Mighty and Wise.

Qur'an 8:49 Notes[edit]

Translation: Is anybody saying that your religion is wrong? Is anybody saying that your religion deludes you and leads people to commit atrocities? Those people are all just "hypocrites", the people "in whose hearts in sickness", and not to be taken seriously.

Qur'an 8:50[edit]

If only you could see, as the angels take away those who disbelieve, striking their faces and their backs: “Taste the agony of the Burning.”

Qur'an 8:50 Notes[edit]

Such horrifying threats only prove those critics of Islam correct more than anything.

Qur'an 8:51[edit]

“That is because of what your hands have committed, and because God is not unjust to the servants.”

Qur'an 8:51 Notes[edit]

And yet he is, as he puts it, "unjust" to the disbelievers? Is that what Allah means by this?

Qur'an 8:52[edit]

Like the behavior of the people of Pharaoh, and those before them. They rejected the signs of God, so God seized them for their sins. God is Powerful, Severe in punishment.

Qur'an 8:52 Notes[edit]

If these "signs of God" are anything like those on display in this book, then of course people would reject them.

Qur'an 8:53[edit]

That is because God would never change a blessing He has bestowed on a people unless they change what is within themselves, and because God is Hearing and Knowing.

Qur'an 8:53 Notes[edit]

Allah should actually know anything if he wants to keep putting this act on.

Qur'an 8:54[edit]

Such was the case with the people of Pharaoh, and those before them. They denied the signs of their Lord, so We annihilated them for their wrongs, and We drowned the people of Pharaoh—they were all evildoers.

Qur'an 8:54 Notes[edit]

For example, Allah should know that ancient Egypt was ruled by more than one "Pharaoh" throughout history.

Qur'an 8:55[edit]

The worst of creatures in God's view are those who disbelieve. They have no faith.

Qur'an 8:55 Notes[edit]

Allah looks at people who commit literal genocide in his name, forcing any survivors into subservience, and says that "those who disbelieve" are somehow worse.

Qur'an 8:56[edit]

Those of them with whom you made a treaty, but they violate their agreement every time. They are not righteous.

Qur'an 8:56 Notes[edit]

Allah's morality makes less than zero sense.

Qur'an 8:57[edit]

If you confront them in battle, make of them a fearsome example for those who follow them, that they may take heed.

Qur'an 8:57 Notes[edit]

Most people would immediately condemn Muhammad for being a genocidal warlord if not for the belief that Allah actually told him to do what he did. With that, so many people do refer to Muhammad as precisely that.

Qur'an 8:58[edit]

If you fear treachery on the part of a people, break off with them in a like manner. God does not like the treacherous.

Qur'an 8:58 Notes[edit]

This verse isn't telling Muslims to break off with traitors. This verse is telling Muslims to break off with suspected traitors.

Qur'an 8:59[edit]

Let not the disbelievers assume that they are ahead. They will not escape.

Qur'an 8:59 Notes[edit]

This religion as a whole is utterly disgusting if only for this chapter.

Qur'an 8:60[edit]

And prepare against them all the power you can muster, and all the cavalry you can mobilize, to terrify thereby God’s enemies and your enemies, and others besides them whom you do not know, but God knows them. Whatever you spend in God’s way will be repaid to you in full, and you will not be wronged.

Qur'an 8:60 Notes[edit]

At the very least, the vast majority of Muslims today are nowhere near as awful as this chapter commands them to be.

Qur'an 8:61[edit]

But if they incline towards peace, then incline towards it, and put your trust in God. He is the Hearer, the Knower.

Qur'an 8:61 Notes[edit]

Why is this not the first thing that Allah says in this chapter? Why does this message appear only after 60 verses of downright genocidal rhetoric?

Qur'an 8:62[edit]

If they intend to deceive you—God is sufficient for you. It is He who supported you with His aid, and with the believers.

Qur'an 8:62 Notes[edit]

Maybe they just intend to fight against what, to almost everybody, looks like a genocidal ideology that would go on to cause immense destruction for centuries to come. To be clear, this is not to say that Muslims nowadays are this awful, nor is it to say that Muslims back them are this awful without a genocidal warlord named Muhammad commanding them to commit such atrocities.

Qur'an 8:63[edit]

And He united their hearts. Had you spent everything on earth, you would not have united their hearts, but God united them together. He is Mighty and Wise.

Qur'an 8:63 Notes[edit]

When exactly have people been "united" as this verse says?

Qur'an 8:64[edit]

O prophet! Count on God, and on the believers who have followed you.

Qur'an 8:64 Notes[edit]

Also, hope that they don't split into differing, often violently conflicting, sects of the same religion.

Qur'an 8:65[edit]

O prophet! Rouse the believers to battle. If there are twenty steadfast among you, they will defeat two hundred; and if there are a hundred of you, they will defeat a thousand of those who disbelieve; because they are a people who do not understand.

Qur'an 8:65 Notes[edit]

I take this to mean that the "believers" are the ones who do not understand the sheer scope of their atrocities and are thus willing to go all-out against those who rightfully oppose them.

Qur'an 8:66[edit]

God has now lightened your burden, knowing that there is weakness in you. If there are a hundred steadfast among you, they will defeat two hundred; and if there are a thousand of you, they will defeat two thousand by God’s leave. God is with the steadfast.

Qur'an 8:66 Notes[edit]

The previous verse said that a believer will be able to defeat ten disbelievers. Why, then, is the number down to two?

Qur'an 8:67[edit]

It is not for a prophet to take prisoners before he has subdued the land. You desire the materials of this world, but God desires the Hereafter. God is Strong and Wise.

Qur'an 8:67 Notes[edit]

Muhammad seems to "desire the materials of this world" a whole lot.

Qur'an 8:68[edit]

Were it not for a predetermined decree from God, an awful punishment would have afflicted you for what you have taken.

Qur'an 8:68 Notes[edit]

Allah could just try not being a vindictive despot for once.

Qur'an 8:69[edit]

So consume what you have gained, legitimate and wholesome; and remain conscious of God. God is Forgiving and Merciful.

Qur'an 8:69 Notes[edit]

He claims to be "Forgiving and Merciful" so often that these words lose all meaning.

Qur'an 8:70[edit]

O prophet! Say to those you hold prisoners, “If God finds any good in your hearts, He will give you better than what was taken from you, and He will forgive you. God is Forgiving and Merciful.”

Qur'an 8:70 Notes[edit]

Allah is neither "Forgiving" nor "Merciful" to any prisoners of war who have to hear their oppressors say this!

Qur'an 8:71[edit]

But if they intend to betray you, they have already betrayed God, and He has overpowered them. God is Knowing and Wise.

Qur'an 8:71 Notes[edit]

Allah can shove this entire book up his ass! Each and every letter of it!

Qur'an 8:72[edit]

Those who believed, and emigrated, and struggled in God’s cause with their possessions and their persons, and those who provided shelter and support—these are allies of one another. As for those who believed, but did not emigrate, you owe them no protection, until they have emigrated. But if they ask you for help in religion, you must come to their aid, except against a people with whom you have a treaty. God is Seeing of what you do.

Qur'an 8:72 Notes[edit]

Is this seriously how Allah puts it? They "emigrated, and struggled in God's cause" while violently subjugating disbelievers?

Qur'an 8:73[edit]

As for those who disbelieve, they are allies of one another. Unless you do this, there will be turmoil in the land, and much corruption.

Qur'an 8:73 Notes[edit]

Would any of this "turmoil in the land, and much corruption" have been anywhere near as awful as the violent destruction caused those who sincerely believe that they're fighting for Allah? Others have been clashing violently long before Islam and independently of this specific cult, but Allah had a chance to make things better instead of much worse. Are you seriously trying to claim that this fighting resulted in less "turmoil in the land" or "corruption" than would have been otherwise, Allah?

Qur'an 8:74[edit]

Those who believed, and emigrated, and struggled for God’s cause, and those who gave shelter and support—these are the true believers. They will have forgiveness, and a bountiful provision.

Qur'an 8:74 Notes[edit]

Woe to anybody who uses such rewards as an incentive to violently oppress and subjugate religious dissidents. This is exactly what Allah means here.

Qur'an 8:75[edit]

As for those who believed afterwards, and emigrated and struggled with you—these belong with you. But family members are nearer to one another in the Book of God. God is Cognizant of everything.

Qur'an 8:75 Notes[edit]

This pathetic excuse for a god is cognizant of nothing other than his own psychotic bloodlust.