Translation of the meanings Ayah 17 Surah Al-Anfāl - English translation - Jacob - The Noble Qur'an Encyclopedia

Ayah: 17

فَلَمۡ تَقۡتُلُوهُمۡ وَلَٰكِنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَتَلَهُمۡۚ وَمَا رَمَيۡتَ إِذۡ رَمَيۡتَ وَلَٰكِنَّ ٱللَّهَ رَمَىٰ وَلِيُبۡلِيَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ مِنۡهُ بَلَآءً حَسَنًاۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٞ

17.It was not you 'believers' who slew them but God slew the 'warring' pagans. It was not you who threw when you threw (a handful of dust at the enemy)5, but it was God Who threw, and that He might test the believers by a fair trial from Him6. Indeed, Allāh 'God' is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.

5. God caused it to fill the eyes and nose of every soldier, preventing their advance.
6. So that they would appreciate God's favor to them.