سُوْرَةُ الْاَنْفَالِ

Surah Al-Anfaal (8) — Ayah 15

The Spoils of War · Medinan · Juz 9 · Page 178

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يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِذَا لَقِيتُمُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ زَحْفًا فَلَا تُوَلُّوهُمُ ٱلْأَدْبَارَ ﴿15﴾

Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali

O you who believe! When you meet those who disbelieve, in a battle-field, never turn your backs to them.

Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا yāayyuhā O you
ٱلَّذِينَ alladhīna who
ءَامَنُوٓا۟ āmanū believe
إِذَا idhā When
لَقِيتُمُ laqītumu you meet
ٱلَّذِينَ alladhīna those who
كَفَرُوا۟ kafarū disbelieve
زَحْفًۭا zaḥfan advancing
فَلَا falā then (do) not
تُوَلُّوهُمُ tuwallūhumu turn to them
ٱلْأَدْبَارَ l-adbāra the backs

Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi

Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

(Ayah 15) {يٰۤاَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْۤا اِذَا لَقِيْتُمُ الَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوْا زَحْفًا …:’’ زَحَفَ الصَّبِيُّ ‘‘} When a child crawls on the ground. {’’ زَحَفَ الْجَيْشُ ‘‘} Since a large army also advances slowly, the advance of the army is also called {’’ زَحَفَ‘‘}. The meaning is that when the enemy stands before you in the field for confrontation, do not run away. This command was not only for Badr but is for all Muslims for all times. In numerous hadiths, fleeing at the time of confrontation with the disbelievers has been declared a major sin. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Beware of the seven destructive sins." One of them is turning your back at the time of meeting the enemy. [ بخاری، الوصایا، باب قول اللہ تعالٰی : « إن الذین یأکلون…» : ۲۷۶۶ ] For this reason, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, taught many supplications for protection from cowardice, so after every prayer he would recite this supplication: [ اَللّٰهُمَّ اِنِّيْ اَعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْجُبْنِ وَاَعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْبُخْلِ وَأَعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنْ أَنْ اُرَدَّ اِلٰی اَرْذَلِ الْعُمُرِ وَأَعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنْ فِتْنَةِ الدُّنْيَا وَعَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ ] [ بخاری، الدعوات، باب الاستعاذۃ من أرذل العمر… : ۶۳۷۴، عن سعد رضی اللہ عنہ ]

Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, said: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, when he would descend at any place, I would often hear him reciting this: [ اَللّٰهُمَّ اِنِّیْ أَعُوْذُبِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحُزْنِ وَالْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ وَالْبُخْلِ وَالْجُبْنِ وَ ضَلَعِ الدَّيْنِ وَ غَلَبَةِ الرِّجَالِ ] [ بخاری، الجھاد والسیر، باب من غذا بصبی للخدمۃ : ۲۸۹۳ ]

Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf

Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

15. 1. The meaning of زَ حْفًا is to be face to face and in direct confrontation. That is, when Muslims and disbelievers are arrayed in ranks against each other, turning one's back and fleeing is not permitted. In a hadith it is stated: اَ جْتَنِبُوْا السَّبْعَ الْمُوْبِقَاتِ "Avoid the seven destructive things." Among these seven is واتّوَلَیِ یَوم الزَّحْفِ (turning one's back on the day of confrontation).

Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani

Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

The tafsir of this ayah is included with the following verse(s).
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