THE UNSEEN.الْغَيْبِ.

Al-Ghaib is an Arabic expression used to convey that something is concealed in some way. It is an important concept in Islam, referring to something that is known only to Allah.

Al-Anfal, Chapter 8

No. 8 (75 verses)

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ

In The Name of Allah, The Beneficent, The Merciful

Surah Al-Anfal : seventy five verses.

This Surah has been revealed in Medina, (except its six verses). Its revelation occurred after the revelation of Surah Al-Baqarah. The 6 verses are related in regards to the Battle of Badr during the times of war , which was a time afflictions and trials had been faced tremendously and war was necessary.

There are several subjects referred to in this Surah, such as: Treasury of the Muslims, things taken as spoils of war, the Battle of Badr, the ordinances of Holy Struggle, the night when the Prophet (S) was decided to be snabed in his bed and Ali (as) laid in the couch of him (Laylat-ul-Mabit), and the qualities of the true believers.

Most of the verses of this Surah are about the Battle of Badr. It was the first war of Muslims against the disbelievers. This war happened after thirteen years of Muslims’ patience. In this war they enjoyed the Divine helps and victory. That is why this Surah has also been entitled ‘Surah Badr’.

Besides stating the affairs of the Battle of Badr, some specialties of the virtuous soldiers against the enemies of Truth are stated in this holy Surah.

The Virtue of Recitation of the Surah

Imam Sadiq (as) has said: 

“The one who recites Surah Al-’Anfal (with attention to their meanings and their warnings) every month, will he not be involved with hypocrisy at all and will be among the true followers of Amir-ul-Mu’mineen (as)…”

Surah Al-'Anfal (Voluntary Gifts) سورة الأنفال

(Verse 70 of 75)

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّبِىُّ قُل لِّمَن فِىٓ أَيْدِيكُم مِّنَ ٱلْأَسْرَىٰٓ إِن يَعْلَمِ ٱللَّهُ فِى قُلُوبِكُمْ خَيْرًا يُؤْتِكُمْ خَيْرًا مِّمَّآ أُخِذَ مِنكُمْ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ (٧٠)

O Prophet, say to whoever is in your hands of the captives, "If Allah knows [any] good in your hearts, He will give you [something] better than what was taken from you, and He will forgive you; and Allah is Forgiving and Merciful."

Surah Al-Baqarah

                             كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الْقِتَالُ وَهُوَ كُرْهٌ لَّكُمْ وَعَسَى أَن تَكْرَهُواْ شَيْئًا وَهُوَ        

                             خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ وَعَسَى أَن تُحِبُّواْ شَيْئًا وَهُوَ شَرٌّ لَّكُمْ وَاللّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ

                              لاَ تَعْلَمُونَ ﴿٢١٦﴾

Allah says: “…it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you

like a thing that is bad for you. Allah knows but you do not know.” (Al-Baqarah 2:216) .

Al-Hasan al-Basri said:

“Do not resent the calamities that come and the disasters that occur, for perhaps in

something that you dislike will be your salvation, and perhaps in something that you prefer

will be your doom.” 

Below is a moral story about Allah knowing what is best for you.

The Artist

Once upon a time, a well-known painter was finishing his painting. It’s an incredibly

beautiful painting to be shown at the Airport during the upcoming Hajj Season.

The painter wanted this painting to be a master piece. He worked on it for weeks on the top

of a 24 story building. He was consumed by and excited with his own painting that he

unconsciously took a few step backward while admiring the 2 x 8 meter painting. He didn’t

look back when he walked backward. He kept on walking backward until it was a step away

from the edge of the 24 story building. Just one more step backward and he could have

fallen to his death.

A man saw what the painter was doing and was about to shout at him to warn him when he

realized that his shout might surprise the painter and thus make him take that fatal one step backward and fall down. So the man took a brush and some paint and began to paint on the beautiful painting until it was completely damaged.

Upon realizing what happened to his painting, the painter got very angry and moved forward to hit the man. However, some other people who were also present at the vicinity held him and showed him his last

position which almost made him fall.

MORAL:

Sometimes we have painted our future with such beauty and dreamed of beautiful

days we will spend with our loved one, but then Allah seemed to destroy our beautiful

painting when Allah sees what danger lies ahead of us. Sometimes we are angry and

annoyed by what Allah has done to us, but one thing we have to keep in our mind is that

our Creator Allah is Most Wise an always keeps our best of interest in mind!

So when Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala , in His Infinite Wisdom, tests us with a situation

that we think is difficult or takes away something that in our mind was good for us, we need

to remember that perhaps it

may not be so. Perhaps if we had continued in our way, it might have been harmful for us

and whatever Allah decreed for us is actually better for us, for He is All-Wise and

All-Knowing.

Allah says:

“and it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a

thing which is bad for you. Allah knows but you do not know.” (Sura Al-Baqarah 2:216)

So trust Allah!

There is great reward for those who learn to do that. Hardship can be a sign

of Allah's love for a person.

Difficulty can be like medicine: even though it is bitter,

in spite of its bitterness you still give it to the one whom you love" so endure it with

patience:)