Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) said that «الأنفال» means spoils of war. Qatadah said that by the word «ريحكم» fighting is meant (that is, if you dispute among yourselves, your strength will be lost in battle). The word «نافلة» is used in the meaning of a gift.

‘Muhammad bin Abdur Rahim narrated to me, he said Saeed bin Sulaiman narrated to us, he said Hushaym informed us, he said Abu Bishr informed us, from Saeed bin Jubair who narrated that: I asked Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) about Surah Al-Anfal. He informed that it was revealed during the Battle of Badr. «الشوكة» means a sharp point. «مردفين‏» means army after army. He says «ردفني وأردفني» means the one who came after me. «ذلكم فذوقوه ذوقوا‏» means take this punishment, experience it; tasting with the mouth is not meant. «فيركمه‏» means to gather it. «شرد‏» means to separate (or to punish severely). «جنحوا‏» means to request. «يثخن‏» means to prevail, and Mujahid said «مكاء‏» means to put fingers on the mouth. «تصدية‏» means to whistle. «يثبتوك‏» means so that they may imprison you.