Surah Al-Anfaal (8) — Ayah 65

(Ayah 65) ➊ {حَرِّضِ الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ عَلَى الْقِتَالِ …:} The meaning of "tahriz" is to strongly encourage and incite someone to do something. Some scholars say that the mention of jihad in the Noble Qur’an amounts to almost seven parts (juz’). The books of hadith are filled with the virtues of jihad in the Book of Jihad. Here, twenty Muslims are being commanded to prevail over two hundred disbelievers. However, this command is in the form of a statement, because it is well known that when a command is to be given with great emphasis, it is given in the words of a statement. For example, if it is to be said, "Everyone should go to the mosque for prayer," it is said, "Everyone will go to the mosque." Here, twenty Muslims are being commanded to prevail over two hundred disbelievers, but in the words of a statement: if twenty of you are steadfast, they will overcome two hundred. The meaning is that they should overcome them. The proof is in the next verse, that now Allah has lightened (the command) for you, so if a hundred of you are steadfast, they will overcome two hundred. The meaning is that they should overcome two hundred. Clearly, lightening is done in a command, not in a statement. In these verses, there is also glad tidings, but with the condition of faith and patience.

➋ {بِاَنَّهُمْ قَوْمٌ لَّا يَفْقَهُوْنَ:} That is, they do not use understanding, nor do they have the intention of attaining reward or martyrdom, nor of saving themselves from punishment, nor do they fight for any lasting and eternal purpose. Therefore, they do not possess that spirit and moral strength which gives them the courage to stand firm on the battlefield. So how can they face those devoted fighters whose greatest desire is to attain the virtue of martyrdom?

➌ After mentioning twenty prevailing over two hundred, the wisdom in mentioning a hundred prevailing over a thousand is that whether the army is small or large, each is given this command and each is promised victory.

65. 1. Taḥrīḍ means to strongly encourage, that is, to instill great enthusiasm and eagerness. Accordingly, before battle, the Prophet ﷺ would encourage the Companions to perform jihad and would mention its virtues. As at the occasion of Badr, when the polytheists appeared on the battlefield with their large numbers and abundant resources, he ﷺ said, "Stand up for entry into such a Paradise whose width is as the heavens and the earth." A Companion, Umair bin Humaam, said, "Its width is as the heavens and the earth?" The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, "Yes." At this, he said "Bakh bakh," expressing happiness and hope that he would be among those who enter Paradise. The Prophet ﷺ said, "You are among those who will enter it." So he broke the sheath of his sword, took out some dates and began to eat them, then threw away the remaining dates from his hand and said, "If I remain alive until I finish eating these, it will be a long life." Then he advanced and displayed great bravery, until he attained the bride of martyrdom. (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)

65. 2. This is glad tidings for the Muslims that, with your steadfastness, twenty mujahideen who fight will prevail over two hundred, and will prevail over one thousand.

O Prophet! Urge the believers [67] to fight. If there are twenty steadfast among you, they will overcome two hundred; and if there are a hundred, they will overcome a thousand of the disbelievers, because the disbelievers [68] are people who do not understand.

[67]
Encouragement for Jihad:

The way the Prophet ﷺ encouraged the Muslims for jihad in accordance with this command can be seen in the following ahadith:
1. Sayyiduna Anas ؓ says that the Prophet ﷺ said: "To go out in the way of Allah in the morning or evening is better than the world and whatever is in it." [بخاري، كتاب الجهاد، باب الغدوة والروحة، فى سبيل الله- مسلم، كتاب الامارة، باب فضل الغدوة والروحة فى سبيل الله]
2. Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah ؓ says that the Prophet ﷺ said: "The example of the one who strives in the way of Allah—and Allah knows best who strives in His way—is like that of one who fasts continuously and stands in prayer at night. Allah has guaranteed for the one who strives in His way that if he dies, He will admit him to Paradise, or He will return him safe and sound with reward and spoils." [بخاري، كتاب الجهاد، باب افضل الناس مومن مجاهد بنفسه وماله]
3. Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah ؓ says that the Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever acquires a horse for jihad in the way of Allah, and his motive is faith in Allah and affirmation of His promises, then surely the horse's food, drink, dung, and urine will be placed in the scale (as good deeds) for that mujahid on the Day of Judgment." [ بخاري، كتاب الجهاد من احتبس فرسا]

[68]
The Reason a Muslim Can Overcome Ten Disbelievers?

That is, the purpose of the disbelievers in fighting is nothing but tribal or national prejudice. Whereas the purpose of the believers in sacrificing even their lives is the elevation and supremacy of Allah's word and the attainment of Allah's pleasure. In addition, they also firmly believe that upon death, they will go straight to Paradise, while death is always unpleasant for the disbelievers, and they try every possible way to save their lives in battle. On the other hand, the believer strives to give his life and attain the rank of martyrdom. This is the strength of faith due to which a believer does not shrink from facing ten disbelievers of equal strength, nor should he lose courage; rather, they should overcome disbelievers ten times their number.