Transliteration:( Law laa Kitaabum minal laahi sabaqa lamassakum fee maaa akhaztum 'azaabun 'azeem )
"And if Allah had not prescribed a thing beforehand [153], then a great punishment would have touched you for what you took as ransom from the infidels."
This verse refers to the ransom taken from the captives of Badr. Allah makes it clear that, had He not already decreed forgiveness, the decision to accept ransom would have brought severe consequences. However, due to His prior decree, no punishment was inflicted.
This teaches several important lessons:
The Companions of Badr are under Divine protection, and will not be punished, either in this world or the Hereafter.
Errors in Ijtihād (legal interpretation) are forgiven—even if the outcome is not ideal—provided the intention is sincere.
The fact that the Holy Prophet ﷺ sought consultation from his noble Companions, and acted upon Hazrat Abu Bakr’s (RA) advice, affirms the validity and permissibility of authoritative interpretation in Islamic law. Had it been impermissible, the Prophet ﷺ would never have acted upon it.
The tafsir of Surah Al-Anfal verse 68 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Anfal ayat 67 which provides the complete commentary from verse 67 through 69.
(8:68) Had there not been a previous decree from Allah, a stern punishment would have afflicted you for what you have taken.
There is no commentary by Abul Maududi available for this verse.
[458]- Three interpretations of the "decree" are given: that by which the companions of Badr were forgiven, that by which indeliberate errors in judgement by believers are not punished, and that which made lawful the spoils of war.
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