Act of Satan when the armies faced one another

Lesson # 1009 from Noble Quran

Act of Satan when the armies faced one another

Surah ‘ANFAAL (SPOILS OF WAR) – Chapter – 8)

Stage – 2, Verse –  48b of 75, Section – 6 of 10 (Part - 10)

BisMIllaahir-Rahmaanir-Rahiim

In the name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful

48b.  But when the armies came in sight of one another, he took flight, saying: Lo! I am guiltless of you. Lo! I see that which ye see not. Lo! I fear Allah. And Allah is Severe in punishment.

48b.  Falammaa  taraaa-‘atil-fi-‘ataani  nakasa  ‘alaa  ‘aqi-bayhi  wa  qaala  ‘innii  bariii-‘um-minkum  ‘inniii  ‘araa  maa  laa  ta-rawna  ‘inniii  ‘akhaa-fUllaahu.  WAllaahu  Shadiidul-‘iqaab.

Lesson

Nakasa  ‘alaa  ‘aqi-bayhi – (he took flight, he went back on his heels), it is an Arabic proverb, which means “Leaving everything; he returned and ran away”. Explanation of words: Nakasa is used in past tense of nakuus and its origin is nakas, which means “retrograde, step back”. ‘Aqab means “the hind part of the foot”. ‘Alaa  ‘aqi-bayhi – means “on his both heels”. It aims “he returned and ran away; due to which, his heels were at that place where his toes were at first, before returning”.

Exegetes of Holy Qur’an have explained that when the Quraish came forth from Makkah to terrify the Muslims, they were very proud of their strength. They did not fear anyone. However, they had enmity with the tribe Bani Kinanah. They were afraid of putting obstacles by that tribe in the way and distort their game.

Saraaqah bin Maalik was chieftain of the tribe of Bani Kinanah. Satan came in his face unto Abu Jahal and other chieftains of Quraish, and said: Worry not about Bani Kinanah. I am with you. Hearing this, the chieftains of Quraish had been proud. Satan gave his hand in the hand of Abu Jahal, accompanying him, he encouraged them and began to boast.

When the infidels came before the Muslims and serious fighting occurred, then Satan observed that the Angels (peace be upon Them) were helping the Muslims with full attention. As soon as; he saw this, he took flight by getting his hand released from the hand of Abu Jahal. That occurrence has been described in this verse.

It is commanded that when both armies began to fight, Satan took flight; leaving the idolaters and saying: I have no relation with you. Know your job. I cannot stay with you even one minute. I have been looking that which cannot be known by you. Being scared my breath is running out. No one can stand before the wrath of God Almighty. What the dare I have, His punishment is very severe. Today; I see that He is very enraged on you and His Angels (peace be upon Them) have been killing you with Their swords by His Command. No dear. It is not possible for me to stay here.  

Transliterated Holy Qur’an in Roman Script & Translated from Arabic to English by Marmaduke Pickthall, Published by Pak Company, 17-Urdu Bazaar, Lahore, Lesson collected from Dars e Qur’aan published By Idara Islaah wa Tableegh, Lahore (translated Urdu to English by Muhammad Sharif)