سُوْرَةُ الْاَنْفَالِ
Surah Al-Anfaal (8) — Ayah 17
فَلَمْ تَقْتُلُوهُمْ وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَتَلَهُمْ ۚ وَمَا رَمَيْتَ إِذْ رَمَيْتَ وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱللَّهَ رَمَىٰ ۚ وَلِيُبْلِىَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْهُ بَلَآءً حَسَنًا ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ ﴿17﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
You killed them not, but Allâh killed them. And you (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) threw not when you did throw, but Allâh threw, that He might test the believers by a fair trial from Him. Verily, Allâh is All-Hearer, All-Knower.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
فَلَمْ
falam
And not
تَقْتُلُوهُمْ
taqtulūhum
you kill them
وَلَـٰكِنَّ
walākinna
but
ٱللَّهَ
l-laha
Allah
قَتَلَهُمْ ۚ
qatalahum
killed them
وَمَا
wamā
And not
رَمَيْتَ
ramayta
you threw
إِذْ
idh
when
رَمَيْتَ
ramayta
you threw
وَلَـٰكِنَّ
walākinna
but
ٱللَّهَ
l-laha
Allah
رَمَىٰ ۚ
ramā
threw
وَلِيُبْلِىَ
waliyub'liya
and that He may test
ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
l-mu'minīna
the believers
مِنْهُ
min'hu
from Him
بَلَآءً
balāan
(with) a trial
حَسَنًا ۚ
ḥasanan
good
إِنَّ
inna
Indeed
ٱللَّهَ
l-laha
Allah
سَمِيعٌ
samīʿun
(is) All-Hearing
عَلِيمٌۭ
ʿalīmun
All-Knowing
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 17) ➊ {فَلَمْ تَقْتُلُوْهُمْ وَ لٰكِنَّ اللّٰهَ قَتَلَهُمْ … :} The author of Kashshaf said, here the letter "fa" (i.e., "so/then") is an answer to a condition, that if you boast that we did this or that, it is not correct, rather the reality is that you did not kill them but Allah killed them, because neither were you great in number nor did you have so much equipment that you could defeat the disbelievers' fully armed and mighty army in every way. Shah Abdul Qadir (may Allah have mercy on him) says: "This was said so that Muslims understand that victory is not by our strength but by Allah's help, therefore they should not attribute anything to themselves." (Muwadhih)
➋ { وَ مَا رَمَيْتَ اِذْ رَمَيْتَ:} That is, the handful (of dust) which you threw, in reality you did not throw it, because if it had been your throw, it could only have gone as far as a man's throw can reach; to make it reach so far and hit the target so that it reached every polytheist's eye was only Allah's work. This is a reference to the incident which Hafiz Ibn Kathir narrated from Ali bin Talhah from Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) with a good chain, that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) on the day of Badr raised both hands and said: "O Lord! If this group is destroyed, then there will never be anyone to worship You on earth." So Jibreel (peace be upon him) said: "Take a handful of dust and throw it at their faces." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) took a handful of dust and threw it towards their faces, so whoever was a polytheist, some part of that handful reached his eyes, nostrils, and mouth, so they turned their backs and fled. So, the dust was thrown by you, but it was Allah who made it reach the target; the initial act of throwing was yours, and the final act of hitting the target was Allah's. If in reality you yourself were Allah, then both actions would be yours; why then is one action (hitting the target) negated from you?
➌ Some people try to prove from {’’ مَا رَمَيْتَ ‘‘} that in reality the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) himself was the Lord of the worlds, so Allah attributed his throwing to Himself, but in that case it would follow that from {’’ وَ لٰكِنَّ اللّٰهَ قَتَلَهُمْ ‘‘} the Muslims of Badr were also themselves Allah, since Allah attributed the killing of the disbelievers by them to Himself. But this is an extremely blasphemous statement which uproots the very foundation of Islam. Some of those noble companions (may Allah be pleased with them) were martyred at Badr, some died or were martyred later, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) himself passed away due to the effect of poison, and Allah is always living, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer. Then the being of Allah is only one; He said: «{ قُلْ هُوَ اللّٰهُ اَحَدٌ }» The Lord of these people is strange, who is not one but in great numbers, and He is martyred and dies as well. The reality is that these people, like the Hindus, consider everything to be god and call it "Wahdat al-Wujud" (Unity of Existence). The result of which is the termination of the commands of the Qur'an and Hadith, and the denial of the existence of Islam and disbelief, and Paradise and Hell altogether. [ نَعُوْذُ بِاللّٰہِ مِنْ ذٰلِکَ]
➍ { وَ لِيُبْلِيَ الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ مِنْهُ بَلَآءً حَسَنًا: ’’ لِيُبْلِيَ ‘‘} This is derived from {’’ بَلَاءٌ‘‘}, from the form "If'aal", meaning to test, which can be with hardship and calamity, and also by granting blessings, so {’’ بَلَاءٌ‘‘} means both calamity and favor. Here, the meaning is to test with favor or kindness and granting. That is, despite the fact that the Muslims' equipment and army had no reality compared to the disbelievers, yet Allah granted them victory, so that they may recognize this blessing and give thanks for it.
➋ { وَ مَا رَمَيْتَ اِذْ رَمَيْتَ:} That is, the handful (of dust) which you threw, in reality you did not throw it, because if it had been your throw, it could only have gone as far as a man's throw can reach; to make it reach so far and hit the target so that it reached every polytheist's eye was only Allah's work. This is a reference to the incident which Hafiz Ibn Kathir narrated from Ali bin Talhah from Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) with a good chain, that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) on the day of Badr raised both hands and said: "O Lord! If this group is destroyed, then there will never be anyone to worship You on earth." So Jibreel (peace be upon him) said: "Take a handful of dust and throw it at their faces." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) took a handful of dust and threw it towards their faces, so whoever was a polytheist, some part of that handful reached his eyes, nostrils, and mouth, so they turned their backs and fled. So, the dust was thrown by you, but it was Allah who made it reach the target; the initial act of throwing was yours, and the final act of hitting the target was Allah's. If in reality you yourself were Allah, then both actions would be yours; why then is one action (hitting the target) negated from you?
➌ Some people try to prove from {’’ مَا رَمَيْتَ ‘‘} that in reality the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) himself was the Lord of the worlds, so Allah attributed his throwing to Himself, but in that case it would follow that from {’’ وَ لٰكِنَّ اللّٰهَ قَتَلَهُمْ ‘‘} the Muslims of Badr were also themselves Allah, since Allah attributed the killing of the disbelievers by them to Himself. But this is an extremely blasphemous statement which uproots the very foundation of Islam. Some of those noble companions (may Allah be pleased with them) were martyred at Badr, some died or were martyred later, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) himself passed away due to the effect of poison, and Allah is always living, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer. Then the being of Allah is only one; He said: «{ قُلْ هُوَ اللّٰهُ اَحَدٌ }» The Lord of these people is strange, who is not one but in great numbers, and He is martyred and dies as well. The reality is that these people, like the Hindus, consider everything to be god and call it "Wahdat al-Wujud" (Unity of Existence). The result of which is the termination of the commands of the Qur'an and Hadith, and the denial of the existence of Islam and disbelief, and Paradise and Hell altogether. [ نَعُوْذُ بِاللّٰہِ مِنْ ذٰلِکَ]
➍ { وَ لِيُبْلِيَ الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ مِنْهُ بَلَآءً حَسَنًا: ’’ لِيُبْلِيَ ‘‘} This is derived from {’’ بَلَاءٌ‘‘}, from the form "If'aal", meaning to test, which can be with hardship and calamity, and also by granting blessings, so {’’ بَلَاءٌ‘‘} means both calamity and favor. Here, the meaning is to test with favor or kindness and granting. That is, despite the fact that the Muslims' equipment and army had no reality compared to the disbelievers, yet Allah granted them victory, so that they may recognize this blessing and give thanks for it.
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.
17. 1. That is, the entire situation of the Battle of Badr has been presented before you, and after clarifying how Allah helped you there, do not think that the killing of the disbelievers is your own achievement. No, rather, it is the result of Allah's help due to which you attained this victory. Therefore, in reality, it is Allah who killed them.
17. 2. In the Battle of Badr, the Prophet ﷺ took a handful of pebbles and threw them towards the disbelievers, which Allah made reach the mouths and eyes of the disbelievers, and furthermore, He created such an effect in it that their eyes were dazzled and they could not see anything. This miracle, which appeared at that time with Allah's help, proved to be very helpful in the success of the Muslims. Allah says, O Prophet! Surely you threw the pebbles, but it was We who created the effect in them. If We had not created this effect, what could those pebbles have done? Therefore, this too was actually Our doing, not yours.
17. 3. Here, بلاء means blessing. That is, this support and help from Allah is a favor from Allah that was bestowed upon the believers.
17. 2. In the Battle of Badr, the Prophet ﷺ took a handful of pebbles and threw them towards the disbelievers, which Allah made reach the mouths and eyes of the disbelievers, and furthermore, He created such an effect in it that their eyes were dazzled and they could not see anything. This miracle, which appeared at that time with Allah's help, proved to be very helpful in the success of the Muslims. Allah says, O Prophet! Surely you threw the pebbles, but it was We who created the effect in them. If We had not created this effect, what could those pebbles have done? Therefore, this too was actually Our doing, not yours.
17. 3. Here, بلاء means blessing. That is, this support and help from Allah is a favor from Allah that was bestowed upon the believers.
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.
17. (In the Battle of Badr) It was not you who killed them, but Allah killed them. And when you threw (a handful of sand), it was not you [16] who threw, but Allah threw. And this was so that He might test the believers with a good trial from Himself. Surely, Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.
[16]
The Miracle of the Handful of Sand:
The fourth form of Allah’s help in the field of Badr was that when the battle was at its peak, the Prophet ﷺ took a handful of sand and pebbles and threw it towards the army of the disbelievers, saying, "Shāhat al-wujūh." The particles of this sand struck the eyes of the disbelievers, causing them to keep rubbing their eyes and rendering them unable to see anything. In this way, Allah Almighty gave the Muslims an opportunity to kill the disbelievers without restraint. Some rationalists say that at the time of throwing the handful, the wind was blowing towards the disbelievers, which is why this incident happened to them. Now, the point to ponder is how the particles of a handful of sand could reach all the disbelievers. Then, why did these particles strike only their eyes? They could have struck elsewhere. The eye is a very small part of the body. It must be accepted that this was the act of Allah Almighty, which was manifested as a miracle at the hands of His Prophet. That is why Allah Almighty has attributed this act directly to Himself.
[16]
The Miracle of the Handful of Sand:
The fourth form of Allah’s help in the field of Badr was that when the battle was at its peak, the Prophet ﷺ took a handful of sand and pebbles and threw it towards the army of the disbelievers, saying, "Shāhat al-wujūh." The particles of this sand struck the eyes of the disbelievers, causing them to keep rubbing their eyes and rendering them unable to see anything. In this way, Allah Almighty gave the Muslims an opportunity to kill the disbelievers without restraint. Some rationalists say that at the time of throwing the handful, the wind was blowing towards the disbelievers, which is why this incident happened to them. Now, the point to ponder is how the particles of a handful of sand could reach all the disbelievers. Then, why did these particles strike only their eyes? They could have struck elsewhere. The eye is a very small part of the body. It must be accepted that this was the act of Allah Almighty, which was manifested as a miracle at the hands of His Prophet. That is why Allah Almighty has attributed this act directly to Himself.
