This sura (chapter) relates to the Battle of Badr, fought in 624 CE, the second year of Muhammad’s Muslim state. It marked the first major military confrontation between the Muslims of Medina, led by Muhammad, and the Quraysh tribe of Mecca. The Quraysh, a powerful Meccan tribe, were determined to suppress the growing influence of Islam and sought to eliminate the Muslim community in Medina. The Muslim army, numbering around 313, was significantly outnumbered by the Meccan force, which consisted of approximately 1,000 warriors. Thanks to the strategy of Muhammad and the courage of his warriors the Muslims prevailed. Islamic tradition holds that their forces received angelic help. In this sura he addresses the thorny problem of how to distribute battle booty.
Lest you say, “Aha! Islam is a bloody religion!” recall all the battles in the Old Testament in the Bible, many far bloodier. Even in Sunday School the Christian children sing, “Joshua ‘fit’ the Battle of Jericho, Jericho, Jericho…” in which the Israelites (supposedly) killed not just warriors but also women and children (even the animals!). And of course there were the Crusades, and later Catholic-Protestant conflicts. You’d think religion would seek to avoid bloodshed – but no.
In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy.
(the usual opening)
Unlike some of the surahs, where it takes a while to get to the title event, in this sura he tells you right at the start: “They ask you [Prophet] about [distributing] the battle gains. Say,
‘That is a matter for God and His Messenger’…Obey God and His Messenger if you are true believers…” Like any good Messiah figure, Muhammad claims to be God’s messenger, so you better listen to him.
Apparently some of his people thought they were going to their deaths, but Muhammad reminds them of how “it was God’s will to establish the truth according to His Word and to finish off the disbelievers –– to prove the Truth to be true, and the false to be false, much as the guilty might dislike it.” (8:7,8) And apparently God answered, “I will reinforce you with a thousand angels in succession” (8:9), hence the tradition that angels helped them to victory.
Generally it seems to me that Muhammad does not advise wars of aggression but he certainly gives the “believers” the right to defend themselves. The Battle of Badr was such a conflict, and Muhammad says, “That was because they opposed God and His Messenger, and if anyone opposes God and His Messenger, God punishes them severely.” (8:13)
Muhammad insists on courage in battle, saying that the one who turns his back “incurs the wrath of God, and Hell will be his home.” (8:16) In earlier surahs he has pointed out that those who die bravely in battle are assured of Paradise, and now those who show cowardice will go to Hell. So the choice is pretty clear! Of course, this is not unique. The Vikings lived by such a concept. I think many Christians see it the same way: if you die valiantly n battle then Jesus is waiting for you! I mean, what else are you going to tell your soldiers if you want them to fight?
An illustration from Balami’s Tarikhnama depicting
the Battle of Badr with an angelic host assisting the Muslim army.
Now, I do like this statement from Muhammad: “the worst creatures in God’s eyes are those who are [willfully] deaf and dumb, who do not reason.” (8:22) There seems to be a lot of that in religion today. There are well-known preachers who actually teach that “reason” is a tool of Satan opposed to God. Really? God gives us incredible intelligence and then wants us to suppress it? I don’t think so. Yet, what is the first story of humans in the Bible? God tells Adam and Eve NOT to eat from the Tree of Knowledge. Why did the ancients call it that, rather than the Tree of Temptation? Right from the start ‘knowledge’ is cast in a bad light. I mean, obey God blindly like dumb pets, or seek knowledge for yourself? What a choice! (Sorry to rant; see Bible post #3: Blame It On The Woman!) Of course, Muhammad thinks that if you use your reason properly you will listen to him and his revelations, but I’m not so sure about that.
Again Muhammad says this was a battle of self-defense: “Remember [Prophet] when the disbelievers plotted to take you captive, kill, or expel you. They schemed and so did God: He is the best of schemers!” (8:30) Ah, you can’t outsmart God! Of these disbelievers he makes a statement worthy of a Biblical prophet: “Their prayers before the House are nothing but whistling and clapping.) (8:35).
After such exhortations Muhammad gets to the point: “Know that one-fifth of your battle gains belongs to God and the Messenger, to close relatives and orphans, to the needy and travellers,..” (8:41) Note that the Messenger (Muhamad) is included in the one-fifth share; after all, it’s not like God literally needs all this stuff, right? So give it to Muhammad! But it’s nice that some is set aside for orphans and others in need.
Now, lest you think this is rather crass to divide up booty from a “holy” war, you find exactly this sort of thing in the Bible, too. Read Numbers 31, starting in verse 25, after the (supposed) slaughter of the Midianites. (I say ‘supposed’ because the Midianites continued to be opponents of Israel, so they clearly were not slaughtered. See Judges 6:5 where they were later in fact described as “innumerable.”) And more shocking than what Muhammad says, in Numbers 31 Moses allowed his men to keep the virgin girls for themselves and the priests even get a cut of the virgins! (see vv. 35 & 40) Today this would be termed “war rape.”
Anyway, Muhammad goes on to say that their victory was “a clear proof” of God’s favor, both for those who died and those who survived. (8:42) It sounds like Muhammad was given a dream from God that his opponents were few in number rather than many so that he wouldn’t lose heart. He goes on with more exhortations to be brave and steadfast in the cause. I can’t help but wonder: what if they had lost the battle? Or if Muhammad had been killed? How different would history be? But I’m sure our Muslim friends would point out that Muhammad’s victory is “clear proof” that God was on his side. I’m sure the Union said the the same thing when they won the Civil War, and likewise the Allies in WW2.
Muhammad also cites as justification for the battle the fact that the unbelievers broke the treaty between them. There was a document that came to be known as the Constitution of Medina, but it is not clear to me that it was ever actually agreed upon by the other factions in Medina. Regardless, Muhammad included the breaking of this “treaty” as justification for the battle. This Constitution became a founding document of Islam. Still, Muhammad contends God wants peace: “But if they incline towards peace, you [Prophet] must also incline towards it, and put your trust in God…” (8:61). But if they are practicing deception, then God will help the steadfast overcome the odds. “Incline towards peace.” A nice sentiment, but it doesn’t seem to be present in the Middle East, or even here in the US these days.
God warns them not to take captives before the battle is won. People want worldly goods, but God has the Hereafter in mind. And to the captives: “If God knows of any good in your hearts, He will give you something better than what has been taken from you, and He will forgive you: God is forgiving and merciful.” (8:70) I wonder how the captives felt about getting God’s forgiveness versus the loss of their home, possessions and the lives of family and friends. I’m sure they took it well.
Muhammad closes this sura with encouragement to get along and help one another, saying: “The disbelievers support one another. If you do not do the same, there will be persecution in the land and great corruption.” (8:71) I think there’s a lesson for us in that. Do we see “persecution” and “great corruption” in our land today? I think so. Although we may have different views of who is being persecuted and who is corrupt. But how should we “support one another?” Especially support those who have views so different from our own? Well, there’s a challenge. But remember that centuries before Muhammad Jesus was saying “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” (Luke 6:27) Quite a challenge, but is the alternative “persecution in the land and great corruption?” Which will we choose?
Thinking exercises:
1. In ancient cultures, including in the Bible and the Quran, it was taken for granted that the victors could take spoils from the conquered. But after WW2 the Allies helped rebuild the Axis nations, like Germany and Japan, that are now an integral part of the world economy. Which model do you think works best?
2. If you were going to make a “treaty” with those who are different than you – religiously, politically, or culturally – what would you include?
3. Is it possible for people with fundamentally different views of life to live together in peace? If so, then why don’t we? If not, is it always the other person’s (or country’s) fault?