وَمَآ أَفَآءَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ رَسُولِهِۦ مِنْهُمْ فَمَآ أَوْجَفْتُمْ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ خَيْلٍ وَلَا رِكَابٍ وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُسَلِّطُ رُسُلَهُۥ عَلَىٰ مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ 6
Translations
And what Allāh restored [of property] to His Messenger from them - you did not spur for it [in an expedition] any horses or camels, but Allāh gives His messengers power over whom He wills, and Allāh is over all things competent.
Transliteration
Wa mā afāʾa Allāhu ʿalā rasūlihi minhum fa-mā awjaftum ʿalayhi min khaylin wa lā rikāb, wa-lākin Allāhu yusallitu rusulahu ʿalā man yashāʾu, wa-Allāhu ʿalā kulli shayʾin qadīr
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the distribution of the spoils (fay') from Banu Nadir, clarifying that since the Muslims did not expend war efforts (horses, camels) in acquiring these gains, they belong entirely to Allah and His Messenger for discretionary distribution. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir emphasize that Allah grants victory and conquest according to His will, not according to human effort, establishing the principle that the Messenger's authority in distributing fay' is a divine prerogative that supersedes normal principles of spoils division.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the context of the Treaty of Medina and the expulsion of Banu Nadir in Rabi' al-Awwal of the 4th AH (625 CE). The Banu Nadir, a Jewish tribe, violated their agreement with the Prophet and were besieged. They surrendered without direct military engagement by the Muslims, resulting in their properties becoming fay' (wealth gained without warfare). This surah contextualizes the rules governing such acquisitions.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'The fay' belongs to Allah and His Messenger' (Tirmidhi). Related to distribution authority: 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Tirmidhi), illustrating the Messenger's role in just distribution.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that true victory and conquest come from Allah's will rather than material resources or military might alone, encouraging reliance upon Divine support rather than worldly means, and establishing that legitimate authority figures possess discretionary power in managing communal resources for the welfare of the ummah.