Essence of the Holy Qur’an — Page 22
22 Chapter 8 & 9 Al-Anf a l and At-Taubah – ! "# (Revealed after Hijrah) Title, Date of Revelation and Connection Between the Two S u rahs Though, as commonly known, it is only the first of these two Chapters which is known by the name Anf a l, yet truly speaking this Chapter comprises both the parts—the one which is known as Al- Anf a l and the other which is known as at-Taubah. This means that at-Taubah or Bar a ’at is really not a separate S u rah but only a part of Al- Anf a l. This is a solitary instance in the Qur’ a n where a S u rah has been split into parts, all the other S u rahs being compact wholes. The proof of the fact that at-Taubah is not a separate S u rah but is a part of Al- Anf a l is that unlike all other Chapters at-Taubah is not prefixed by Bismill a h , which under Divine direction was placed at the head of every S u rah and formed its integral part, and because also there obtains such a striking similarity between the subject-matter of these two Chapters that they both form but one S u rah. Both Al- Anf a l and at-Taubah were revealed at Medina; Al- Anf a l was revealed about the time of the Battle of Badr, in the first or second year after Hijrah , and at-Taubah or Bar a ’at, according to Bukh a r i , was among the last portions of the Qur’ a n to be revealed in the ninth year after the Hijrah. A Collective Note on Both S u rahs In Al- Anf a l the prophecy was made that God would give to Muslims a great victory, and that the property and possessions of their enemies would fall into their hands. This prophecy continued to prove for disbelievers a constant source of mockery at the cost of the Faithful, because God, out of His infallible wisdom, and in conformity with His eternal law had delayed its fulfilment along with the revelation of that portion of Chapter Al- Anf a l which contained a mention of it. When Mecca fell and the aforesaid prophecy was fulfilled, the remaining portion of the S u rah was revealed. It began with A declaration of complete vindication on the part of All a h and His Messenger to the idolaters to whom you had announced a commitment that Islam would triumph in Arabia. So go about in the land for four months, and know that you cannot frustrate the plan of All a h and that All a h will humiliate the disbelievers. Incidentally, it may be noted here that some Commentators have taken the above Declaration to mean that a period of four months was granted to those idolaters with whom Muslims had treaty engagements and that this period was intended as a notice, after which all treaties and agreements with them were to be considered as having terminated. This interpretation of the Declaration is evidently wrong; because if it was meant as only a notice of the