God Suffices the Believers
[8:62] If they want to deceive you, then GOD will suffice you. He will help you with His support, and with the believers.
[8:63] He has reconciled the hearts (of the believers). Had you spent all the money on earth, you could not reconcile their hearts. But GOD did reconcile them. He is Almighty, Most Wise.
[8:64] O you prophet, sufficient for you is GOD and the believers who have followed you.
[8:65] O you prophet, you shall exhort the believers to fight. If there are twenty of you who are steadfast, they can defeat two hundred, and a hundred of you can defeat a thousand of those who disbelieved. That is because they are people who do not understand.
[8:66] Now (that many new people have joined you) GOD has made it easier for you, for He knows that you are not as strong as you used to be. Henceforth, a hundred steadfast believers can defeat two hundred, and a thousand of you can defeat two thousand by GOD’s leave. GOD is with those who steadfastly persevere.
[8:67] No prophet shall acquire captives, unless he participates in the fighting. You people are seeking the materials of this world, while GOD advocates the Hereafter. GOD is Almighty, Most Wise.
[8:68] If it were not for a predetermined decree from GOD, you would have suffered, on account of what you took, a terrible retribution.
[8:69] Therefore, eat from the spoils you have earned that which is lawful and good, and observe GOD. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.
[8:70] O you prophet, tell the prisoners of war in your hands, “If GOD knew of anything good in your hearts, He would have given you better than anything you have lost, and would have forgiven you. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.”
[8:71] And if they want to betray you, they have already betrayed GOD. This is why He made them the losers. GOD is Omniscient, Most Wise.
[8:72] Surely, those who believed, and emigrated, and strove with their money and their lives in the cause of GOD, as well as those who hosted them and gave them refuge, and supported them, they are allies of one another. As for those who believe, but do not emigrate with you, you do not owe them any support, until they do emigrate. However, if they need your help, as brethren in faith, you shall help them, except against people with whom you have signed a peace treaty. GOD is Seer of everything you do.
[8:73] Those who disbelieved are allies of one another. Unless you keep these commandments, there will be chaos on earth, and terrible corruption.
[8:74] Those who believed and emigrated, and strove in the cause of GOD, as well as those who hosted them and gave them refuge, and supported them, these are the true believers. They have deserved forgiveness and a generous recompense.
[8:75] Those who believed afterwards, and emigrated, and strove with you, they belong with you. Those who are related to each other shall be the first to support each other, in accordance with GOD’s commandments. GOD is fully aware of all things.
8:62 What does it mean when it says “with the believers”? What is the role of the believers here?
The believers will support one another and help one another from being deceived.
[61:4] GOD loves those who fight in His cause united in one column, like the bricks in one wall.
In 8:65 and 8:66 why are the believers not as strong as before – is related to physical or faith?
In the following verses it shows that this most likely refers to the fact that they were weaker in faith and therefore not as strong.
[9:25] GOD has granted you victory in many situations. But on the day of Hunayn, you became too proud of your great number. Consequently, it did not help you at all, and the spacious earth became so straitened around you, that you turned around and fled.
Badr was the first battle that the believers participated in:
[3:123] GOD has granted you victory at Badr, despite your weakness. Therefore, you shall observe GOD, to show your appreciation.
David and Goliath
[2:249] When Saul took command of the troops, he said, “GOD is putting you to the test by means of a stream. Anyone who drinks from it does not belong with me – only those who do not taste it belong with me – unless it is just a single sip.” They drank from it, except a few of them. When he crossed it with those who believed, they said, “Now we lack the strength to face Goliath and his troops.” Those who were conscious of meeting GOD said, “Many a small army defeated a large army by GOD’s leave. GOD is with those who steadfastly persevere.”
This shows the diluting of faith as the numbers increase. It is easier to believe when there are more believers, therefore it requires more faith when you are one of the early vanguards.
[56:10] Then there is the elite of the elite. [56:11] They are those who will be closest (to God). [56:12] In the gardens of bliss. [56:13] Many from the first generations. [56:14] Few from the later generations.
Deterioration of Religion
[57:16] Is it not time for those who believed to open up their hearts for GOD’s message, and the truth that is revealed herein? They should not be like the followers of previous scriptures whose hearts became hardened with time and, consequently, many of them turned wicked.
Human beings are hardwired not to want to kill
Psychologist Lt Col Dave Grossman (On The Act Of Killing)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaD7Dgv306Y
Dave Grossman – The Blaze
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgOCR_pbA1c
8:67
[76:8] They donate their favorite food to the poor, the orphan, and the captive.
8:75 relatives should support one another
[42:23] This is the good news from GOD to His servants who believe and lead a righteous life. Say, “I do not ask you for any wage. I do ask each of you to take care of your own relatives.” Anyone who does a righteous work, we multiply his reward for it. GOD is Forgiver, Appreciative.
[33:6] The prophet is closer to the believers than they are to each other, and his wives are like mothers to them. The relatives ought to take care of one another in accordance with GOD’s scripture. Thus, the believers shall take care of their relatives who immigrate to them, provided they have taken care of their own families first. These are commandments of this scripture.
[24:22] Those among you who are blessed with resources and wealth shall be charitable towards their relatives, the poor, and those who have immigrated for the sake of GOD. They shall treat them with kindness and tolerance; do you not love to attain GOD’s forgiveness? GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.
3 Million Reasons Why Your Heart Will Break
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIolTbJ_K5U
Joel Osteen | Don’t Rely on People – May 8, 2016 @ 24min
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nI9-AdtJr9k
Quran Talk Blog 