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Names

This surah is called Surat Al-Anfal. [90] See: Al-Fayruzabadi: Basa?ir Dhawi At-Tamyiz, 1/222; Tafsir Al-Qasimi, 5/251; Tafsir Ibn ?Ashur, 9/245.
It was narrated that Sa?id ibn Jubayr said: I said to Ibn ?Abbas: Surat Al-Anfal? He said: That is the surah of Badr. [91] Narrated by Al-Bukhari, 4645; Muslim, 3031.

Makki or Madani?

Surat Al-Anfal is Madani and was revealed concerning Badr [92] See: Tafsir Al-Qurtubi, 7/360. , and it was narrated that there was consensus regarding that. [93] Those who narrated that there was consensus regarding that include: Ibn Al-Jawzi, Al-Fayruzabadi and Al-Biqa?i. see: Tafsir Ibn Al-Jawzi, 2/186; Al-Fayruzabadi: Basa?ir Dhawi At-Tamyiz, 1/222; Al-Biqa?i: Masa?id An-Nazr, 2/144.

Objectives

The most important objectives of Surat Al-Anfal include:
Highlighting the means that lead to victory, and some rulings on jihad. [94] See: Al-Fayruzabadi: Basa?ir Dhawi At-Tamyiz, 1/222; Al-Biqa?i: Nazm Ad-Durar, 8/214; Al-Biqa?i: Masa?id An-Nazr, 2/146; Tafsir Al-Qasimi, 5/251.

Topics

The most significant topics addressed in Surat Al-Anfal include:
Explaining rulings on the spoils of war ? namely the booty ? the division thereof and what it is to be spent on; the command to fear Allah with regard to that and other matters; the command to obey Allah and His Messenger (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) with regard to the booty and other matters; the command to the Muslims to reconcile among themselves, pointing out that that is fundamental to attaining perfect faith.
A description of the sincere believers and giving them glad tidings of high status and lofty dwellings in Paradise.
Mention of going out for the battle of Badr, and that some of the believers were reluctant to do that; what the believers received during this battle of help and support from Allah, and His kindness to them; a reminder the favours He bestowed on them; the command to prepare to fight the enemy, the command to be united and the prohibition on disputing; the command to keep in mind that their aim should be to support the religion; the reason that made the Muslims go out to Badr; the battle positions of the two armies and the fighting that took place.
Addressing the believers in many places in the surah, each time telling them what is good for them and what could bring about their success.
Reminding the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) of the blessing that Allah had bestowed upon him, when He saved him from the plot of the polytheists against him in Makkah.
Mention of the ignorance and stubbornness of the polytheists.
Explaining that the Prophet?s stay in Makkah was a protection for its people; when he left them, their punishment in this world became inevitable, because of what they did of barring the Muslims from reaching Al-Masjid Al-Haram.
Calling the polytheists to stop opposing Islam, otherwise war will be declared against them; and a warning against the hypocrites.
Details about the booty, and explaining what was mentioned in brief at the beginning of the surah.
The rulings on covenants between the Muslims and the disbelievers, what would result from their breaking the covenant, and when is the right time for peace.
Rulings on the war captives, and rulings on the Muslims who stayed behind in Makkah after the Hijrah, who were to be regarded as allies, and what should result from that alliance.

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