سُوْرَةُ الْاَنْفَالِ

Surah Al-Anfaal (8) — Ayah 69

The Spoils of War · Medinan · Juz 10 · Page 185

فَكُلُوا۟ مِمَّا غَنِمْتُمْ حَلَـٰلًا طَيِّبًا ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ ﴿69﴾
So enjoy what you have gotten of booty in war, lawful and good, and be afraid of Allâh. Certainly, Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
فَكُلُوا۟ fakulū So eat
مِمَّا mimmā from what
غَنِمْتُمْ ghanim'tum you got as war booty
حَلَـٰلًۭا ḥalālan lawful
طَيِّبًۭا ۚ ṭayyiban (and) good
وَٱتَّقُوا۟ wa-ittaqū and fear
ٱللَّهَ ۚ l-laha Allah
إِنَّ inna Indeed
ٱللَّهَ l-laha Allah
غَفُورٌۭ ghafūrun (is) Oft-Forgiving
رَّحِيمٌۭ raḥīmun Most Merciful

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 69){فَكُلُوْا مِمَّا غَنِمْتُمْ حَلٰلًا طَيِّبًا …:} From the expression of Allah’s displeasure, it might have been thought that accepting ransom money is not liked by Allah. Allah removed this doubt by stating that this too is war booty and is lawful and pure for this Ummah, so eat it without any doubt or suspicion. This strengthens the interpretation of {’’ لَوْ لَا كِتٰبٌ مِّنَ اللّٰهِ ‘‘} that “war booty is made lawful for this Ummah.” {’’ وَ اتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ ‘‘} However, this is not the main objective; rather, the main objective is piety towards Allah—adopt it. Surely, Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.

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.

69. 1. In this, after describing the permissibility and purity of war booty, the permissibility of ransom has been stated. This supports the view that the 'written matter' perhaps refers to this permissibility of war booty.

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.

So consume what you have taken as spoils of war, as it is lawful and pure [71]. And fear Allah. Surely, Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.

[71]
The Wealth from Ransom is Lawful and Pure:

When, due to not killing the captives promptly on the battlefield and instead capturing them and taking ransom for them, a reproach was revealed, the noble Companions ؓ became doubtful that this wealth taken as ransom might not remain lawful and pure. To remove this doubt, this verse was revealed. Because the amounts received as ransom were also included among the spoils of war, it was said that this wealth is a gift from Allah; use it willingly. However, in matters of jihad, one should not focus on worldly wealth nor give it such importance that the higher purpose of jihad becomes secondary.