Muslims were on the near bank of Madinah

Lesson # 1004 from Noble Quran

Muslims were on the near bank of Madinah

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

Stage – 2, Verse – 42 of 75, Section – 5 of 10 (Part - 10)

BisMIllaahir-Rahmaanir-Rahiim

In the name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful

42.  When ye were on the near bank (of the valley) and they were on the yonder bank, and the caravan was below you (on the coast plain). And had ye trysted to meet one another ye surely would have failed to keep the tryst, but (it happened, as it did, without the forethought of either of you) that Allah might conclude a thing that must be done; that he who was to perish (on that day) might perish by a clear proof (of His Sovereignty) and he who was to survive might survive by a clear proof (of His Sovereignty). Lo! Allah in truth is Hearer, Knower.

42.  ‘Iz  ‘antum  bil-‘udwatid-dunyaa  wa  hum  bil-‘udwatil-quswaa  war-rakbu  ‘asfala  minkum.  Wa  law  tawaa-‘attum  lakh-talaftum  fil-mii-‘aadi,  wa  laakilli-yaqzi-yAllaahu  ‘amran-  kaana  maf-‘uulan,  Liyah-lika  man  halaka  ‘am-  Bayyi-natinw-wa  yah-yaa  man  hayya  ‘am-  Bayyinah.  Wa  ‘innAllaaha  la-Samii-‘un  ‘Aliim.

Lesson

‘Al-‘udwatu – (bank, side, boundary), origin of this word is ‘adu, which means “opposite side”. It aims also “to cross the line, an enemy”. The words ‘udwaan and ‘adaawah etc. are from it too. Here it means “the place, which is at some distance”.  

‘Ad-dunyaa – (near, close to), the word Dunyaa means “this world too because this world is near, and it is feminine of ‘adnaa. Both words have the same meaning i.e. near.

‘Al-quswaa – (on the yonder bank, distant, far), quswaa is feminine of ‘aqsaa. Meanings of both words are “away”.

Bayyi-nah – (clear proof, evidence and arguments), hear it aims “such clear proof, argument and reason should be established on the truth that there should remain no scope of doubt to any individual.

In the Battle of Badr, the Muslims were on that side which was near Madinah, whereas the idolaters of Makkah were at that place which was far from Madinah, and the caravan of Qureish traders was going to Makkah; along-side the bank of the sea; below that place where the Muslims were existing.

The Muslims came out from Madinah with the intention of taking possession of the wealth of that caravan, but the caravan escaped, whereas they confronted the Army of the infidels of Makkah who had come to save their caravan.

In this verse, a map of both parties at the place of Badr and the place of caravan; has been drawn. The Muslims were at that side of the field of Badr, which was near Madinah. On the opposite side before them, the infidels were staying on the yonder bank from Madinah. And the caravan had arrived at a safe place behind the Army of infidels in other valley by crossing both troops. Likewise, the Army of infidels was between the Muslims and the caravan.

It is commanded that this entire map of the war was determined by the will of God Almighty because He desired to manifest the right and the wrong clearly, and the world should know that the Muslims were on the Right Path but the infidels at wrong.

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)