سُوْرَةُ الْاَنْفَالِ

Surah Al-Anfaal (8) — Ayah 40

The Spoils of War · Medinan · Juz 9 · Page 181

وَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَوْلَىٰكُمْ ۚ نِعْمَ ٱلْمَوْلَىٰ وَنِعْمَ ٱلنَّصِيرُ ﴿40﴾
And if they turn away, then know that Allâh is your Maulâ (Patron, Lord, Protector and Supporter) - (what) an Excellent Maulâ and (what) an Excellent Helper!
وَإِن wa-in And if
تَوَلَّوْا۟ tawallaw they turn away
فَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ fa-iʿ'lamū then know
أَنَّ anna that
ٱللَّهَ l-laha Allah
مَوْلَىٰكُمْ ۚ mawlākum (is) your Protector
نِعْمَ niʿ'ma Excellent
ٱلْمَوْلَىٰ l-mawlā (is) the Protector
وَنِعْمَ waniʿ'ma and Excellent
ٱلنَّصِيرُ l-naṣīru (is) the Helper

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 40) ➊ {وَ اِنْ تَوَلَّوْا فَاعْلَمُوْۤا اَنَّ اللّٰهَ مَوْلٰىكُمْ:} That is, if they do not stop persecuting the Muslims and fighting them, then surely Allah is your friend and helper against the enemies.
{ نِعْمَ الْمَوْلٰى وَ نِعْمَ النَّصِيْرُ:} And whoever has Him as a friend and helper, then He is the best friend and the best helper; then who can overcome him? See Surah Muhammad (10, 11).

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.

40. 1 That is, if they do not accept Islam and persist in their disbelief and opposition to you.

40. 2 That is, He is your helper against your enemies and your supporter and protector.

40. 3 Thus, successful will be the one whose protector is Allah, and victorious will also be the one whose helper is He.

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.

40. And if they turn away, then know [42] that Allah is your Protector—what an excellent Protector and what an excellent Helper!

[42] That is, if these people still do not believe, then let them be. They will not be able to harm you in any way, just as Allah protected and helped you in the Battle of Badr. In the future as well, He will continue to do so against them. And who can be a better Protector and Helper than Allah?