Towards Understanding the Quran
With kind permission of Islamic Foundation UK
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Surah Al-Anfal 8:45-46   Chapters ↕   Word for Word
Verses [Section]: 1-10[1], 11-19 [2], 20-28 [3], 29-37 [4], 38-44 [5], 45-48 [6], 49-58 [7], 59-64 [8], 65-69 [9], 70-75 [10]
یٰۤاَیُّهَاO youالَّذِیْنَwhoاٰمَنُوْۤاbelieveاِذَاWhenلَقِیْتُمْyou meetفِئَةًa forceفَاثْبُتُوْاthen be firmوَ اذْكُرُواand rememberاللّٰهَAllahكَثِیْرًاmuchلَّعَلَّكُمْso that you mayتُفْلِحُوْنَۚ(be) successful 8. Al-Anfal Page 183وَ اَطِیْعُواAnd obeyاللّٰهَAllahوَ رَسُوْلَهٗand His Messengerوَ لَاand (do) notتَنَازَعُوْاdisputeفَتَفْشَلُوْاlest you lose courageوَ تَذْهَبَand (would) departرِیْحُكُمْyour strengthوَ اصْبِرُوْا ؕand be patientاِنَّIndeedاللّٰهَAllahمَعَ(is) withالصّٰبِرِیْنَۚthe patient ones

Translation

(8:45) Believers! When you encounter a host in battle, stand firm and remember Allah much that you may triumph.

(8:46) And obey Allah and His Messenger, and do not quarrel with one another lest you should lose courage and your power depart. Be steadfast, surely Allah is with those who remain steadfast.37

Commentary

37. The believers were asked to exercise self-restraint. They were required to refrain from haste, panic, consternation, creed and uncalled-for enthusiasm. They were counselled to proceed cool-headedly and to take well-considered decisions. They were also asked not to relent an inch even in the face of crave dangers: refrain from acting rashly under provocation; to desist from taking hasty action out of impatience. They were also asked to exercise control over themselves lest they were tempted by worldly gains. All these instructions are implicit in the Qur'anic directive of patience given to the Muslims. God extends all help and support to those who exercise 'patience' (sabr) in the above sense.