سُوْرَةُ الْاَنْفَالِ

Surah Al-Anfaal (8) — Ayah 71

The Spoils of War · Medinan · Juz 10 · Page 186

وَإِن يُرِيدُوا۟ خِيَانَتَكَ فَقَدْ خَانُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مِن قَبْلُ فَأَمْكَنَ مِنْهُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ ﴿71﴾
But if they intend to betray you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم), they indeed betrayed Allâh before. So He gave (you) power over them. And Allâh is All-Knower, All-Wise.
وَإِن wa-in But if
يُرِيدُوا۟ yurīdū they intend
خِيَانَتَكَ khiyānataka (to) betray you
فَقَدْ faqad certainly
خَانُوا۟ khānū they have betrayed
ٱللَّهَ l-laha Allah
مِن min from
قَبْلُ qablu before
فَأَمْكَنَ fa-amkana So He gave (you) power
مِنْهُمْ ۗ min'hum over them
وَٱللَّهُ wal-lahu And Allah
عَلِيمٌ ʿalīmun (is) All-Knower
حَكِيمٌ ḥakīmun All-Wise

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 71){وَ اِنْ يُّرِيْدُوْا خِيَانَتَكَ … : } That is, if they are claiming Islam or promising not to fight you in the future only to gain release and your sympathy, and there is deceit in their hearts, then what did they gain by previously committing treachery against Allah through shirk and by waging war against the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him)? Only that Allah granted you dominance over them. The same will happen again. In this, there is glad tidings for the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and a warning for the captives. The object of {’’ فَاَمْكَنَ ‘‘} is omitted, meaning {’’أَمْكَنَكَ مِنْهُمْ‘‘} that He gave you dominance over them.

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.

71. 1. That is, if they verbally express Islam but their intention is to deceive, then what did they gain by previously committing disbelief and polytheism? Only that they became prisoners of the Muslims. Therefore, if in the future they continue on the path of polytheism, they will gain nothing but further humiliation and disgrace.

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.

And if they intend to betray you, then they have already betrayed Allah before, so He gave you power over them. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

[73]
Even if the Purpose of Accepting Islam is Deception, Still Accept It. Allah Will Decide:

That is, even if the purpose of these war captives in professing Islam is only to deceive you, it does not matter; you should trust them. Because such people have already broken their covenant with Allah, and by them are meant those people from Banu Hashim who, during the life of Abu Talib, pledged to support you, agreed upon it, and swore oaths. Then, some of them joined the disbelievers and came to fight against the Muslims, so Allah punished them and they became your captives. And if they break their covenant again, even then they cannot escape Allah’s grasp.