Betray not Allah and His Messenger (Surah Al-Anfal 8: 27-28)

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And know that your possessions and your children are but a trial and that surely, with Allah is a mighty reward. (Surah Al-Anfal 8: 28)

Reason behind revealing This Ayah, and the prohibition of Betrayal

The Two Sahihs mention the story of Hatib bin Abi Balta`ah. In the year of the victory of Makkah he wrote to the Quraysh alerting them that the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) intended to march towards them. Allah informed His Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) of this, and he sent a Companion to retrieve the letter that Hatib sent, and then he summoned him. He admitted to what he did. `Umar bin Al-Khattab (Radhi Allahu Anhu) stood up and said, "O Allah's Messenger! Should I cut off his head, for he has betrayed Allah, His Messenger and the believers'' The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said,

Leave him! He participated in Badr. How do you know that Allah has not looked at those who participated in Badr and said, Do whatever you want, for I have forgiven you.

However, it appears that this Ayah is more general, even if it was revealed about a specific incident. Such rulings are dealt with by their indications, not the specific reasons behind revealing them, according to the majority of scholars.

Betrayal includes both minor and major sins, as well those that affect others. `Ali bin Abi Talhah said that Ibn `Abbas (Radhi Allahu Anhu) commented on the Ayah,

nor betray your Amanat  "The Amanah refers to the actions that Allah has entrusted the servants with, such as and including what He ordained. Therefore, Allah says here,

nor betray..., ` do not abandon the obligations.''' `Abdur-Rahman bin Zayd commented, "Allah forbade you from betraying Him and His Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam), as hypocrites do.''

Allah said,

And know that your possessions and your children are but a trial  from Him to you. He grants these to you so that He knows which of you will be grateful and obedient to Him, or become busy with and dedicated to them instead of Him. Allah said in another Ayah,

Your wealth and your children are only a trial, whereas Allah! With Him is a great reward. [Surah At-Taghabun 64: 15],

And We shall make a trial of you with evil and with good. [Surah Al-Anbiya’ 21: 35],

O you who believe! Let not your properties or your children divert you from the remembrance of Allah. And whosoever does that, then they are the losers.[Surah Al-Munafiqun 63: 9],

and,

O you who believe! Verily, among your wives and your children there are enemies for you (who may stop you from the obedience of Allah); therefore beware of them! [Surah At-Taghabun 64: 14] Allah said next,

And that surely with Allah is a mighty reward. Therefore, Allah's reward, favor and Paradise are better for you than wealth and children. Certainly, among the wealth and children there might be enemies for you and much of them avail nothing. With Allah alone is the decision and sovereignty in this life and the Hereafter, and He gives tremendous rewards on the Day of Resurrection. In the Sahih, there is a Hadith in which the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said,

There are three qualities for which whomever has them, he will have tasted the sweetness of faith. (They are:) whoever Allah and His Messenger are dearer to him than anyone else, whoever loves a person for Allah's sake alone, and whoever prefers to be thrown in fire rather than revert to disbelief, after Allah has saved him from it

Therefore, loving the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) comes before loving children, wealth and oneself. In the Sahih, it is confirmed that he said,

By He in Whose Hand is my soul! None of you will have faith unless I become dearer to him than himself, his family, his wealth and all people.


Source: Tafsir ibn Kathir (Abridged)